A series of recent surveys from YouGov reveals key insights into how American adults view issues of race in education.
According to YouGov, some 58 percent of all adults in the U.S. believe racial inequality in U.S. education is at least a somewhat serious problem, with 29 percent believing it is a very serious problem. This pattern holds true by both gender and geographic region, but there are differences in opinion based on race, political affiliation, and age. Democrats and younger adults are more likely than Republicans and older adults to say racial inequality in U.S. education is an issue.
By race, more than three-quarters of Black Americans believe racial inequality in education is a problem, with 52 percent describing it as a very serious problem. Only 3 percent of Black adults believe it is not a problem at all. While the majority of White adults believe racial inequality in education is a problem, they are the least likely group to describe it as a serious problem (23 percent) and the most likely group to say it is not a problem at all (17 percent).
When asked if treating students differently based on their race is ever justified in order to reduce racial inequality, over six-in-ten U.S. adults said no. There is virtually no difference in this opinion based on race, gender, or geographic region. However, Republicans are more likely than Democrats, and older adults are more likely than younger adults, to say it is never acceptable to treat students differently based on race to reduce racial inequality in education.
The majority of all adults (59 percent) say that colleges and universities should take active steps to reduce racial inequalities among students, while 21 percent said colleges should not take action, and 20 percent said they were not sure if colleges should or should not take action to reduce racial inequalities. This survey question revealed a major political divide, with 83 percent of Democrats and just 41 percent of Republicans agreeing that colleges and universities should take action to reduce racial inequalities among students. There was also a large divide by racial groups, with 80 percent of Black adults, 59 percent of Hispanic adults, 55 percent of White adults, and 62 percent of adults of other races agreeing that colleges and universities should work to reduce racial inequalities.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration issued a new proposal that would end federal tax-exempt status for private colleges that engage in race-based admissions, policies, and programs. According to YouGov, American adults are split on whether they agree with that proposal, with 29 percent believing colleges with DEI-related policies should keep their tax-exempt status, 40 percent aligning with Trump’s proposal, and 30 percent reporting they were not sure. Among Democrats, 49 percent believe colleges engaging in race-based programs should keep their status and 24 percent said they should not. Among Republicans, only 15 percent agreed colleges with race-based policies should keep their tax-exempt status, while 61 percent disagreed. Notably, there was little variation in Americans’ opinions in this area based on region, gender, or age.
Among Black adults, 33 percent agreed colleges with race-based programs should keep their tax-exempt status, 32 percent said they should not, and 35 percent said they were not sure. Among White adults, 29 percent believe colleges with race-based programs should keep their tax-exempt status, 44 percent believe they should not, and 27 percent said they were not sure.
