A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that Republicans disapprove of universities and their impact on the U.S., and this stance has changed since the study began tracking Americans’ thoughts on higher education in 2010.
The latest study found that 58 percent of those who are or lean Republican think colleges harm the U.S., while 72 percent of those who are or lean Democratic think that higher education has had a positive impact on American society. This particularly notable because less than two years ago, 54 percent of Republicans thought colleges had a positive impact nationwide.
Specifically, only 29 percent of Republican conservatives view American colleges favorably, while 50 percent of liberal or moderate Republicans do so.
Meanwhile, 67 percent of conservative Democrats view universities favorably, with 79 percent of moderate or liberal Democrats sharing that sentiment.
The 2016 GOP platform labels American higher education as “deeply entrenched” with “ideological bias.”
The new Pew survey is considered unsurprising by some. Collegiate bias against the GOP and conservatism is on the rise, while the Democratic Party and liberals’ values are treated favorably on campus. For example, Young America’s Foundation found this year’s commencement speakers at America’s top 100 ranked colleges leaned heavily to the left, with 45 liberal speakers and only four conservatives.
Another example of campus bias is that liberal professors outnumber conservatives. According to a study conducted last September by Econ Journal Watch, out of 7,243 professors, only 314 are conservative — a 12-to-1 ratio.
Meanwhile, Democrats who think colleges have had a positive impact nationwide apparently don’t notice — or don’t care — how free speech has been under attack on campuses. From University of California, Berkeley, to Evergreen State, violent protests against right-wing speakers and administrators who won’t listen to every student demand have taken the U.S. by storm.
The Pew Research study was conducted June 8-18 of this year, among 2,504 adults who are at least 18 years old in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
