PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Higher Education

Key findings from the current survey:

• Most Californians (56%) say affordability is a big problem in the state’s public colleges and universities. Only 18 percent say overall quality is a big problem.
• Half of Californians are very concerned that increased federal immigration enforcement will affect undocumented college and university students, including those with DACA status. Majorities are dissatisfied with the way campus officials are handling free speech, sexual assault, and hate crimes.
• Strong majorities across parties believe that California’s higher education system is very important to the future quality of life and economic vitality of the state.

The PPIC Statewide Survey delivers objective, advocacy-free information on the perceptions, opinions, and public policy preferences of California residents. PPIC invites input, comments, and suggestions from policy and public opinion experts and from its own advisory committee, but survey methods, questions, and content are determined solely by the PPIC survey team. The PPIC Statewide Survey relies on-a rigorous survey methodology-and is a charter member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research Transparency Initiative. The survey is conducted regularly throughout the year in the key areas of government, the environment, K-12 education, and higher education.