Americans believe in the power of higher education, but most say that colleges aren’t functioning the way they should.

According to a recent survey of 1,600 US adults commissioned by the Washington, DC-based New America think tank:

• Seventy-five percent of Americans say that it is easier to be successful with a college degree.
• But only a quarter of those surveyed agree that the higher education system “is functioning just fine the way it is.”

“Americans see room for higher education to improve,” according to a report highlighting the survey results. “…Millennials, who are on track to the be the most educated generation to date…and therefore have the most experience with the system, are more likely than other generations to think it is not working as well as it could.”

One sticking point? Unequal access to higher education.

Only four in 10 of those surveyed said they believe that all Americans have a “decent chance” of getting into a good college.

View the rest of the survey findings.

Admitted writer/editor Mary Stegmeir welcomes additional comments and story ideas at mstegmeir@nacacnet.org.