Higher education as a public good

There have been reports as of late that U.S. citizens have lost faith in higher education and don't support the public funding going into universities/colleges. Contrary to a perceived deterioration of support, Noah D. Drezner of Columbia University found the opposite. "Given how much the recent public discourse centers on the individual return from higher education, Drezner said he was heartened to find that respondents overwhelmingly 'understand that there are larger benefits to the public' from higher education."

Although the study was of U.S. citizens, the question of private benefit versus public good is key to how higher education is understood and hopefully embraced around the world. The question is not either-or. Of course individuals benefit from pursuing a higher education AND the public good is served as graduates are prepared for a 21st century workforce and participation in their communities. The push among those who would like higher education to be seen as a private privilege and benefit simply want to retain the advantage that economic disparity has created.

Unfortunately, a study by the Pew Charitable Trust came to conclusions that oppose Drezner's findings. Report of this study indicated "A solid majority of adults (61%) believe that higher education is headed in the wrong direction." Republicans were more likely to view higher education in a negative light although concerns are represented in multiple sectors - Democrats express concern about the cost of higher education, Republicans view faculty as biased toward liberal causes, and university staff continue to be concerned about the hate speech and hostile climate issues.