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The State of Higher Education 2025
Since 2020, Lumina Foundation and Gallup have partnered to produce the State of Higher Education study, an annual survey of thousands of U.S. adults without a college degree or credential.
The 2025 State of Higher Education report provides new insight into the value Americans place on post-high school education — and what still stands in their way. Despite continued concern over cost, demand for education remains strong: 57% of unenrolled adults have considered enrolling in the past two years. Mental health, emotional stress and finances remain top reasons adults stop out of college or delay enrollment.
Explore new data on student sentiment, enrollment decisions and institutional trust to better understand how to support today's learners and the future of higher education.
The State of Higher Education 2025
Since 2020, Lumina Foundation and Gallup have partnered to produce the State of Higher Education study, an annual survey of thousands of U.S. adults without a college degree or credential.
The 2025 State of Higher Education report provides new insight into the value Americans place on post-high school education — and what still stands in their way. Despite continued concern over cost, demand for education remains strong: 57% of unenrolled adults have considered enrolling in the past two years. Mental health, emotional stress and finances remain top reasons adults stop out of college or delay enrollment.
Explore new data on student sentiment, enrollment decisions and institutional trust to better understand how to support today's learners and the future of higher education.
89% of U.S. adults without a degree or credential believe at least one type of degree or credential is valuable.
31% of stopped-out students say emotional stress led them to leave their program.
91% of bachelor's degree students are confident their degree will provide job-related skills.
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