It's expensive and students don't get the education they need to succeed – that's what many people in the US say about higher education.

According to a recent Gallup and Lumina Foundation survey, Americans’ confidence in higher education has declined significantly in recent years. Only 36 per cent now say they have „a great deal” or „quite a lot” of confidence in the system. This is a sharp drop from 57 per cent in 2015 and highlights the growing skepticism about the value and direction of US colleges and universities, Voice of Europe reports.

Key takeaways from the survey highlight widespread concerns across demographics including gender, age, and political affiliation. Particularly noteworthy is a dramatic 36 percentage point plummet among Republicans over the past decade, far outpacing declines seen among Democrats and independents.

In addition to the high cost of tuition, many Americans have also cited doubts that colleges are adequately preparing students for the workforce as reasons for their loss of confidence.

Randy Hill, a 59-year-old registered Republican from Connecticut, also expressed skepticism regarding higher education, noting

the burden of student debt and the perceived disconnect between education and job prospects.

The survey also reflects a broader sentiment that college is not worth the investment, with nearly a third of respondents attributing their lack of confidence to concerns about costs, and 24 per cent feeling that students are not getting the education they need to succeed.

While confidence in four-year institutions has waned, the poll found that confidence in two-year programs remains comparatively higher, suggesting varying perceptions about different levels of education within the US higher education system.