Berkeley, Calif. — Californians believe affordability and a lack of government support are the top issues facing colleges and universities in the state, but a majority are unwilling to pay more taxes or tuition to support higher education, according to a statewide survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California and released late Wednesday.

The survey, which polled 2,503 adult California residents about their attitudes on higher education, found that more than four in five were concerned that the state’s budget deficit would bring cuts to the state’s colleges and universities. However, only 44 percent said they would support paying higher taxes to keep funds for colleges and universities at current levels, and only 32 percent said they would support an increase in student fees.

When asked which areas should be protected from budget cuts, 61 percent chose elementary and secondary education, 17 percent picked health and human services, and 12 percent named higher education.

State residents generally supported California’s three public-college systems, with more than six in 10 rating each system as good or excellent. By contrast, only 27 percent of respondents approved of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s handling of higher education, and only 23 percent approved of the performance of the Legislature.

“Californians’ belief in the importance of higher education is strong, and their regard for the state’s educational system is high — but their trust in state leadership is low,” Mark Baldassare, president of the policy institute, said in a news release announcing the study. —Josh Keller