| VIEWS ON EDUCATION: |
| The Value of Colleges |
| |
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Don't know |
| Colleges and universities are one of the most valuable
resources to the U.S. |
35% |
56% |
7% |
1% |
1% |
| College graduates today are well prepared for the work
force |
4% |
52% |
34% |
5% |
4% |
| A graduate-school or professional-school degree will soon
be more important than a four-year degree for success in the U.S. |
18% |
46% |
29% |
2% |
6% |
| The Cost of Education |
| |
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Don't know |
| It is very difficult for a middle-class family to afford
a college education |
36 |
46 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
| Many college students have incurred too much debt for
their college education |
34% |
54% |
7% |
1% |
4% |
| High-cost colleges and universities are generally also
of higher quality |
5% |
38% |
49% |
5% |
4% |
| Colleges and universities could reduce their costs without
hurting the quality of the institution |
15 |
48 |
27 |
3 |
8 |
| Campus Issues |
| |
Strongly agree |
Agree |
Disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Don't know |
| Living on campus and experiencing residential life is
an important part of a four-year college experience |
22% |
50% |
23% |
3% |
2% |
| Affirmative-action programs at colleges and universities
contribute to the well-being of society |
10% |
48% |
27% |
7% |
8% |
| Colleges and universities should admit students from racial
minority groups even if they have lower high school GPA's and standardized-test
scores than other students |
5% |
26% |
45% |
19% |
5% |
| Tenure for professors protects academic freedom at colleges
and universities |
8% |
45% |
30% |
5% |
13% |
| Experienced college professors should be granted a job
for life as long as they commit no serious misconduct |
6% |
26% |
50% |
16% |
2 |
| Four-year colleges and universities place too much emphasis
on athletics |
17% |
50% |
28% |
2% |
3% |
| Athletes are not held to the same academic standards as
other students |
25% |
52% |
16% |
2% |
5% |
| Some time in the next 10 years, students who want a college
education will take most of their courses over the Internet |
9% |
50% |
30% |
5% |
6% |
| IMPORTANT ROLES FOR A COLLEGE TO PERFORM: |
| |
Very important |
Important |
Somewhat important |
Not important |
No answer |
| Prepare its undergraduate students for a career |
71% |
21% |
7% |
1% |
0% |
| Provide education to adults so they qualify for better
jobs |
65% |
25% |
9% |
1% |
0% |
| Prepare future leaders of society |
65% |
23% |
10% |
1% |
0% |
| Prepare students to be responsible citizens |
65% |
20% |
11% |
4% |
0% |
| Help elementary and high schools do a better job teaching
children |
63% |
20% |
13% |
4% |
0% |
| |
Very important |
Important |
Somewhat important |
Not important |
No answer |
| Offer a broad-based general education to undergraduate
students |
59% |
29% |
11% |
2% |
0% |
| Teach students how to cope with a rapidly changing world |
59% |
24% |
12% |
4% |
1% |
| Teach students to get along with people from different
backgrounds |
59% |
21% |
13% |
6% |
0% |
| Help students develop good values and ethical positions |
58% |
23% |
14% |
6% |
0% |
| Prepare undergraduate students for graduate or professional
school |
57% |
28% |
14% |
1% |
0% |
| |
Very important |
Important |
Somewhat important |
Not important |
No answer |
| Discover more about the world through research |
56% |
28% |
14% |
1% |
0% |
| Prepare students from minority groups to become successful |
51% |
26% |
17% |
4% |
1% |
| Conduct research that will make American businesses more
competitive |
42% |
28% |
24% |
5% |
1% |
| Enroll students from all parts of the country |
41% |
29% |
22% |
7% |
0% |
| Help attract new business to local region |
39% |
23% |
27% |
10% |
0% |
| |
Very important |
Important |
Somewhat important |
Not important |
No answer |
| Help local businesses and industries in the area be successful |
36% |
27% |
27% |
9% |
1% |
| Provide useful information to the public on issues affecting
their daily lives |
35% |
27% |
27% |
10% |
1% |
| Improve the image of the state in which it is located |
33% |
27% |
28% |
12% |
1% |
| Promote international understanding by encouraging students
to study in other countries |
31% |
25% |
32% |
12% |
0% |
| Provide cultural events to the community |
30% |
30% |
32% |
8% |
0% |
| Play athletics for the entertainment of the community |
13% |
22% |
42% |
23% |
1% |
