Survey suggests growing skepticism over value and affordability of higher education
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, June 16, 2026……Massachusetts students are increasingly questioning whether a four-year college degree is worth the high cost, with new polling showing the lowest level of interest in bachelor’s degrees in at least three years.
A statewide survey commissioned by EdTrust Massachusetts found that just 45% of parents of middle and high school students expect their child to pursue a bachelor’s degree, down from 53% in 2023 and 48% in 2025. The findings mirror a broader national trend of growing skepticism about the value and affordability of higher education, but the EdTrust warns the shift could have outsized consequences in Massachusetts, which has a more highly educated workforce and many colleges and universities.
Income-Based Gaps in College Expectations
The survey, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, found sharp divides in college expectations based on family income, race, and parental education levels.
Among families earning less than $50,000 annually, only 10% expect their child to pursue a bachelor’s degree, while 27% anticipate a trade program. By contrast, 66% of higher-income families expect their child to earn a four-year degree.
Racial and Educational Disparities
The gaps extend across racial groups as well. Seventy-one percent of Asian parents said they expect their child to pursue a bachelor’s degree, compared with 46% of white parents, 40% of Black parents, and 29% of Latino parents.
Parents’ own educational background also played a significant role. Just 23% of parents without a bachelor’s degree expect their child to earn one, compared with 65% of parents who hold at least a four-year degree.
Confidence in K-12 Preparation
Confidence in the ability of middle and high schools to prepare students for life after high school remains uneven. While 69% of parents said their child’s school is providing adequate preparation, confidence fell notably among Black and Latino families and among lower-income households.
Policy Implications for Massachusetts
EdTrust Massachusetts said the results should serve as a warning as the state develops new graduation requirements, arguing that students need more equitable access to college and career advising, financial aid support, and advanced learning opportunities if postsecondary pathways are to remain within reach.
The poll results land as the state faces pressure to come up with new K-12 education funding approaches, more high school students gain access to early college and free community college programs, and artificial intelligence disrupts the economy and the way people think about learning and skills.
The survey was conducted among 1,069 Massachusetts from April 1 through April 14, 2026.
