The most recent Gallup poll on higher education found that more Americans have some/very little confidence in higher education than high confidence. Historically, Americans expressed a lot more confidence.
Just a few months ago, the Pew Research Center released data showing 1 in 3 Americans feel getting a college degree isn’t worth it. Getting a degree is worth it, but that’s the perception.
These two data points represent a huge shift in attitudes towards higher education. And in only 10 years. Yikes.
I don’t have data about confidence in ISU. Based on two indicators, I would say it’s mixed. Overall satisfaction and confidence in the decision to attend ISU has decreased over the last 10 years.
This matters because students who are more confident in their decision to attend ISU and more satisfied with their overall experience have better outcomes. They are more likely to participate in class, collaborate with faculty and other students, and take advantage of learning resources.
Since 2013, the percent of ISU first-year students who rate their entire educational experience as good/excellent has decreased each year. 86% of seniors rate their overall experience as good/excellent. That’s a good sign.
When asked about whether they would choose ISU again, seniors increasingly express more uncertainty about their decision. In 2013, 60% of seniors stated they would definitely attend ISU again. That number dipped to 37% in 2023.
The bottom line is belonging.
Over 85% of students who feel like they are part of the ISU community, can be themselves, and feel valued by ISU – the three major indicators of belonging – rate their overall experience as high.
Less than half of students who don’t experience belonging rate their experience as good/excellent.
Belonging is a significant factor in retention. Tackling the issue of confidence in higher education isn’t only a public perception exercise. Students experience higher education as a whole. Most of us experience it through our disciplinary or administrative lens. Students don’t have the blind spots we have.
The best thing we can do to increase confidence – and student success – is to make students all feel like they belong. That’s a sense of community, places where students can be themselves, and ensuring students feel valued.
