A new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) shows that most Americans oppose President Donald Trump’s punitive actions against universities. These actions include cutting billions in federal funding and threatening to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
A total of 1,175 people participated in this survey. Only 27% of people support the president’s strategy of withholding federal funds from non-compliant universities. Meanwhile, 45% of people were opposed, while 26% were neither opposed nor in favor of freezing funds. Abolishing the tax-exempt status of universities is also unpopular, with only 30% of people in favor.
Among Republicans, the actions were more acceptable. 51% supported the funding freezes, and 49% supported removing tax-exempt status.
This survey, which also explored Americans’ general views on higher education, comes during the Trump administration’s continuous pressure on higher education. The administration has frozen federal funds, cut research grants, threatened higher endowment taxes, and launched federal investigations.
Overall, AP-NORC found that only 41% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president in his second term, which is over 100 days in. Similarly, 42% approve of how he handles higher education issues. People with college degrees are more likely to disapprove, at 63%, compared to 53% of those without a degree.
Respondents also tend to oppose Trump’s stance on many diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. 48% support services for underrepresented groups, while only 15% oppose them. Even among Republicans, 38% are in favor and 28% against.
Scholarships for underrepresented groups are also popular, with 45% in favor and 19% against. Among Republicans, 25% support and 35% oppose, while 39% of all respondents have no strong opinion. However, when specifically asked about “diversity, equity and inclusion programs,” 60% of Republicans disapproved.
Americans’ main concerns about higher education don’t match the Trump administration’s. 58% are “extremely concerned” about tuition costs. 38% worry about antisemitism on campus, and 36% are concerned about liberal bias. Republicans are more worried about antisemitism and liberal bias. The least concerning issue is the revocation of international students’ visas, though 59% of Democrats are extremely worried.
The survey also asked about universities’ impact on society. More than 60% of respondents said that university scientific research and innovative technologies have a positive effect. This aligns with the finding that 62% of respondents, including 75% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans, support maintaining university scientific research funding.
