In a remarkable reversal of years-long decline, public confidence in higher education has risen among Americans for the first time in a decade, according to a new Lumina Foundation-Gallup survey published on July 16, 2025 by The Chronicle of Higher Education (chronicle.com). The survey found that 42 percent of Americans now say they have either “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in colleges — a six-point increase over the previous year’s levels and the highest reading since 2015.
This uptick in public trust, following years of skepticism and political controversy, signals a shifting mood that has far-reaching implications, not just in the US, but also for education observers and policymakers in Thailand who watch global trends for lessons to adapt locally. Understanding the causes, drivers, and context of this change offers important food for thought for Thailand’s own higher education system.
For years, American public confidence in higher education had been in severe decline, fueled by rising concerns about student debt, perceived campus political bias, ballooning costs, and disconnect between curricula and jobs. Similar conversations are ongoing in Thailand, with parents and students questioning the value of university degrees, especially outside traditional professional fields. This makes the recent rebound in American confidence especially relevant as universities across the world — and in Thailand — seek to emphasize credibility, relevance, and excellence to both local and international audiences.
Key facts from the Lumina-Gallup survey show a significant six-point uptick in the proportion of Americans expressing confidence in higher learning institutions, rising from 36 percent in 2023–2024 to 42 percent this year. Meanwhile, those saying they had “little or no” confidence dropped from 32 percent to 23 percent. Both two-year and four-year colleges benefited: confidence in two-year colleges jumped eight points to 56 percent, while four-year institutions saw an 11-point rise to 44 percent. Importantly, these increases spanned all major demographic and political groups — a rare note of consensus in polarized times.
The reasons behind growing support have shifted as well. Respondents increasingly cited the “excellence” of American colleges and their roles as global leaders in innovation and research as foundations for their confidence. According to the Lumina Foundation’s vice president for impact and planning, the rise is “less about a good job, and more about the idea of higher ed.” This shift echoes global praise for universities that prioritize research impact, social mission, and broad intellectual development over mere job training. However, concerns over perceived political bias remain high, especially among those least confident in higher education, with 38 percent of this group citing indoctrination or liberal leanings — up ten points compared to last year. Practical issues such as high costs and perceived irrelevance of the curriculum also remain points of criticism.
Expert analysis points out that despite new optimism, the sector is not out of the woods. “Let’s make sure higher ed is paying off for individuals and their communities. If we don’t do that, this fragile increase in confidence is not going to sustain,” said the Lumina Foundation spokesperson. Critics and supporters alike maintain that real, lasting improvement depends on whether universities can bridge the gap between reputation and meaningful student outcomes.
For Thailand, these findings offer valuable insights. Universities here, too, face questions about cost, employability, and social value. The focus by US respondents on research quality and innovation — not just job placement — suggests that local institutions might do well to emphasize and communicate their real-world impacts, research contributions, and social leadership more clearly and systematically. The trend toward viewing universities as engines of creativity and societal progress, not only as job pipelines, could be a game-changer for public perceptions if adopted in Thai education and outreach strategies.
Thailand is no stranger to debates about political bias and academic freedom. As polarization and ideological rifts become more pronounced in the US, similar undercurrents are present in Thai society, especially around curricula and governance. The US survey’s highlight that 45 percent of Americans believe higher education raises tolerance and compassion underscores the ongoing debate about the role of universities in fostering civic values — a discussion mirrored in Thailand’s education reforms.
Recent Thai history has seen recurring cycles of education reform, increased emphasis on STEM fields, and periodic pushes for internationalization. Yet, chronic issues such as outdated curricula, limited research funding, and low global rankings for many universities have hampered progress. Nevertheless, Thai universities participating in global rankings and partnerships can draw lessons from the US experience to make their case for public support — by investing in research capacity, innovation, and effective communication to wider society.
Looking ahead, sustained increases in public trust in higher education, whether in the US or Thailand, will likely depend on two key pillars: demonstrable outcomes and transparent engagement with the public. For Thailand, this means not only delivering strong career paths for graduates, but also enhancing the broader societal value of higher education — such as public health outreach, community engagement, and national innovation initiatives. If Thai universities can effectively tell these stories, backed by real data and community testimonials, they may be able to arrest or even reverse their own slide in public confidence.
While the American situation offers no guarantees for Thailand’s context, the rebound in the latest Gallup-Lumina survey provides a spark of hope that institutional trust is not irreversibly lost — it can, with meaningful reform and public engagement, be regained. The volatility of US opinion, still far below pre-2015 highs, means Thai leaders should be cautious: a single year of progress can be fleeting if not backed by real change.
For Thai readers — policymakers, educators, students, and parents alike — the key takeaway is the importance of supporting higher education reform, demanding accountability and transparency, while celebrating and communicating the unique strengths Thai institutions offer. Choosing a university is not just about career prospects, but about joining communities dedicated to knowledge, innovation, and service. With the right vision and sustained public engagement, Thailand’s higher education can not only keep pace with global trends but set its own.
Source citations: