Although the U.S. Supreme Court slammed the door on race-conscious admissions practices this past June, Americans still broadly believe in the importance of diversity in higher education. And Americans have complex beliefs about affirmative action, with nearly two-thirds agreeing that it reduces racial inequities, but fewer supporting it. These findings come from this year’s Varying Degrees Report, based on an annual survey by the left-leaning non-profit New America. The report shows that American views on diversity and equity in higher education are nuanced—or perhaps confused.
The survey included nearly 1,500 American adults and was conducted between late March and May—before the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. It found that three-quarters of Americans believe that federal and state governments, as well as colleges and universities, should work to ensure that students from underrepresented backgrounds have access to higher education. Nearly four out of five people surveyed agreed that all students benefit when campuses reflect the racial diversity of the nation. And nearly seven out of ten said that colleges should admit more students of diverse backgrounds and hire more diverse faculty and staff.
There were partisan differences in the results. 90% of Democrats agreed at least somewhat that colleges should admit more underrepresented students, in contrast to 56% of Republicans. And 88% of Democrats said that all students benefit from diversity, compared to 68% of GOP members.
Rachel Fishman, acting director of the education policy program at New America
There was also a clear consensus that race-conscious admissions accomplishes its goals. Nearly two-thirds of respondents agreed, at least somewhat, that considering race or ethnicity as one factor in admissions decisions reduces racial and ethnic inequities in higher ed. (This included 81% of Democrats and 42% of Republicans.) A similar percentage agreed that considering race or ethnicity gives underrepresented students an increased chance to pursue education after high school, with a similar partisan split.
Notably, Asian Americans were the ethnic group most likely to concur with these propositions: 78% agreed that race-conscious admissions reduces inequities and 80% said that it helps underrepresented students pursue post-secondary education. The report highlights this in light of claims at the Supreme Court by the plaintiff, Students for Fair Admissions, that affirmative action damages Asian Americans and that they broadly oppose it.
In spite of Americans’ overall support for diversity in higher ed and their agreement that race-conscious admissions practices work, they were less supportive of affirmative action itself. Only 50% agreed that race or ethnicity should play even a minor role in admissions decisions, including 66% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans. That’s lower than the percentage that thought athletic ability should play a role.
