{"id":2490781,"date":"2025-09-24T19:43:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T23:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-democrats-differ-on-higher-education-bias-poll\/"},"modified":"2025-09-24T19:46:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T23:46:04","slug":"republicans-democrats-differ-on-higher-education-bias-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-democrats-differ-on-higher-education-bias-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Republicans, Democrats differ on higher education bias: Poll"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublicans-democrats-differ-on-higher-education-bias-poll%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2490781&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent Vanderbilt Unity Poll reveals significant partisan differences in perceptions of bias and confidence in U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-survival-guide-for-conservatives-during-the-biden-years\/\" title=\"A Survival Guide for Conservatives During the Biden Years\">higher education<\/a>.The poll found that 79% of Republicans and 54% of Democrats believe there is serious bias in colleges and universities, with 91% of those identifying as MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans holding this view.The blame for bias was primarily directed at university administrators rather than faculty. Additionally, 71% of those <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >surveyed opposed universities taking political stances<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Confidence in higher education varies greatly by political affiliation: only 24% of MAGA supporters expressed strong confidence, compared to 69% of Democrats, 45% of independents, and 35% of Republicans overall. 47% of respondents had confidence in colleges and universities, slightly less than the 49% confidence in the military.<\/p>\n<p>Concerns about affordability were high, with 68% doubting college will remain affordable, but 40% believed that higher education effectively prepares students for careers and critical thinking. Moreover, 56% acknowledged the importance of scientific and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ernst-introducing-bill-demanding-annual-reports-on-us-funded-research-to-china-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Ernst introducing bill demanding annual reports on US-funded research to China - Washington Examiner\">medical research conducted<\/a> by universities, and 46% recognized significant research contributions in the humanities and social sciences.<\/p>\n<p>Josh Clinton, co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll, noted that despite concerns over affordability and perceived partisanship, the majority of Americans still see higher education as a positive force in society, with support increasing since 2023.<\/p>\n<p>The poll was conducted September 5-8 with a margin of error of +\/- 3.4 percentage points. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Republicans, Democrats differ on higher education bias: Poll<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2239320\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republicans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Republicans<\/a> who identify as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MAGA<\/a> are more likely to believe that bias is a serious issue at the nation&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/colleges-and-universities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">colleges and universities<\/a>, according to a new Vanderbilt Unity Poll.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/polls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">poll<\/a> released Wednesday shows that 79% of Republicans and 54% of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Democrats<\/a> believe it compared to 91% of respondents who identify as the acronym for second-term Republican President Donald Trump&rsquo;s signature call to make America great again.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3823618\/gop-leader-dispute-newsom-colbert-show\/\">GOP leader disputes Newsom&#8217;s comments on Colbert&#8217;s show<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/3823256\/eli-lilly-investment-texas-us-manufacturing\/\">Eli Lilly announces second major investment in US manufacturing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3823165\/young-man-skips-school-to-ask-jd-vance-for-a-picture\/\">&lsquo;Young man&rsquo; skips school to ask JD Vance for a picture<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The blame for the bias was directed at administrators and not at what professors and instructors are teaching, according to the poll.<\/p>\n<p>Seventy-one percent of the 1,300 Americans polled said they do not believe that universities should take a stance on political issues.<\/p>\n<p>Those who identify as MAGA also have less confidence in higher education, with just 24% saying they have a &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-happy-50th-birthday-for-the-congressional-budget-process-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"A happy 50th birthday for the congressional budget process - Washington Examiner\">great deal&#038;rdquo<\/a>; or a &ldquo;quite a lot.&rdquo; Democrats had the most trust in higher education at 69%, followed by independents (45%) and Republicans (35%).<\/p>\n<p>Overall, 47% of respondents said they had confidence in the country&rsquo;s colleges and universities. The military fared better with a vote of confidence of 49%.<\/p>\n<p>The survey showed worries about college affordability, with 68% having little confidence that higher education would remain affordable. But 40% said with a &ldquo;great deal&rdquo; or &ldquo;a lot of confidence&rdquo; that a college education prepares students for a successful career and teaches them how to be critical thinkers.<\/p>\n<p>The poll also shows that 56% believe that colleges and universities &ldquo;conduct scientific and medical research that saves lives and 46% believe that they &ldquo;produce important research in humanities and social sciences.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the conventional wisdom may suggest that support for colleges and universities is low, it&rsquo;s important to highlight that most Americans view higher education as a net positive for society, and its support has actually increased from the low levels we saw in 2023 and 2024,&rdquo; said Josh Clinton, codirector of the Vanderbilt Poll. &ldquo;Yes, there are real concerns &ndash; most people think affordability is a major problem, and many perceive colleges and universities as having a partisan slant &ndash; but that&rsquo;s very different from widespread opposition to the idea of higher education itself.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3813658\/democrats-break-rank-admit-colleges-fuel-antisemitism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DEMOCRATS BREAK RANK, ADMIT COLLEGES FUEL ANTISEMITISM<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The poll was conducted Sept. 5-8 in English and Spanish, the university said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The sampling has a margin of error of +\/- 3.4 percentage points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Republicans, Democrats differ on college bias: Poll<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2490782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25205009337760.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5050,3685,32189,3756],"class_list":["post-2490781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bias","tag-democrats","tag-higher-education","tag-republicans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25205009337760.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2490781"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2490785,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2490781\/revisions\/2490785"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2490782"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2490781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2490781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2490781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}