Gallup poll finds record low in perceived importance of college education

A new Gallup study reveals that the percentage of American adults who consider a college education ‘very important’ has fallen to 31%, marking a 48-year low. This figure is four percentage points lower than the previous record set last year. In contrast, just over a decade ago in 2013, 70% of U.S. adults held this view.

The decline is evident across all measured demographic groups. The study notes that the share of people viewing college as ‘very important’ is now below 50% for women, Democrats, Republicans, and non-college graduates. Specifically, only 22% of Republicans and 26% of men view college as ‘very important.’

While the number of people rating college as ‘very important’ has plummeted, those viewing it as ‘not too important’ has risen from 6% in 2013 to 29% today. The gap between those who see college as ‘very important’ and those who see it as ‘not too important’ has shrunk from 64 points in 2013 to just two points in 2026.