US Higher Education Confidence Falls Sharply, UK College Graduates Report Higher Preparedness

A new analysis by Stony Brook University political scientists Leonie Huddy and Seden Yilmazturk finds that public confidence in U.S. higher education has dropped from 57% in 2015 to 42% in 2025, with the decline driven largely by Republican respondents whose confidence fell to 26%.

In the United Kingdom, research commissioned by the Office for Students shows that 69% of graduates from further‑education colleges feel prepared for life after study, compared with 50% of university graduates. The study highlights personal testimonies from East Sussex College alumni who cite strong support and confidence‑building as key factors in their success.