Voters Split on Whether Student Loans Are Worth the Risk
A new poll shows half of American voters view student loan debt as too risky, while about a third still see a college degree as worthwhile.
According to the Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll carried out from Aug. 12-16, half of respondents think student loan debt is too risky given the difficulty of securing adequate employment, while 35% argue that a college degree still justifies borrowing. The poll surveyed 2,533 registered voters—930 Republicans, 930 Democrats and 673 independents, including 330 true independents. Among those holding a bachelor’s degree, 46% view loans as risky compared with 43% who see them as worthwhile; the balance flips for postgraduate degree holders.
Federal student loan balances total roughly $1.8 trillion across about 47 million borrowers, with an average debt near $40,000. Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Noble Predictive Insights, linked the mixed views to specialized majors and graduates lacking experience despite multiple degrees.
Why it matters
Public sentiment on student debt influences policy debates and future higher-education financing.
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