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The State of Higher Education 2026 Valued but Out of Reach: The Reality of Higher Education Today
Only one in four adults without a college degree (25%) believe most people can access a quality, affordable education. This is the lowest level recorded since 2022 and a drop of 10 points in just two years. Even so, nearly three in four adults without a degree (73%) say earning a credential is just as important today as it was 20 years ago.
The 2026 State of Higher Education Study surveyed more than 14,000 adults without a degree or who are working toward one, nearly 6,000 college graduates, and 2,000 employers. Across all three groups, the research shows a growing gap. Americans still believe higher education is worth it, but more people are questioning whether they can afford it.
25% of adults without a college degree say all or most people in the United States have access to a quality, affordable education after high school.
73% of adults without a college degree say earning a two- or four-year degree is just as important today as it was 20 years ago.
82% of student loan borrowers are moderately or very worried about struggling to repay their loans.
Alumni Perspectives on Higher Education Experiences, Outcomes and Value
Most alumni (71%) say their education was worth the cost, and an overwhelming 93% would choose to earn their degree again. But the story isn’t that simple. Only 11% of bachelor's degree holders believe colleges charge fair prices, and more than half of student loan borrowers (52%) say their debt has delayed major life milestones.
The Alumni Perspectives report surveyed nearly 6,000 two- and four-year degree holders through the Gallup Panel™ in partnership with Lumina Foundation. Results are broken out by degree type, institution sector and graduate demographics — revealing where higher education delivers on its promise and where critical gaps remain.
81% of alumni say they had at least one professor who made them excited about learning, yet only about four in 10 say they had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals.
53% of alumni wish they had access to career coaching while completing their degree — the most commonly cited unmet need.
52% of student loan borrowers have delayed one or more major life events because of their debt, with Gen Z borrowers (67%) the most likely to report delays.
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The State of Higher Education 2025
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Beyond the Headlines: The Reality of Free Speech on College Campuses
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Bridging the Gap: Insights on Cost and Value of a College Degree
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The State of Higher Education 2024
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Cost of College: The Price Tag of Higher Education and Its Effect on Enrollment
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Policies and Laws: How They're Impacting College Enrollment
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Education for What?
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The State of Higher Education 2023
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Stressed Out and Stopping Out: The Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education
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Balancing Act: The Tradeoffs and Challenges Facing Black Students in Higher Education
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The State of Higher Education 2022 Report
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State of the Student Experience 2020 Report
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Some College and No Degree
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Americans Value Postsecondary Education
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Great Jobs Great Lives Purdue Index Report
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What America Needs to Know About Higher Education Redesign
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