The State of Higher Education: Gallup Research as a tool for Storytelling

Since 2020, Lumina Foundation and Gallup have partnered to produce the State of Higher Education study, an annual survey of thousands of U.S. adults without a college degree or credential. The 2025 State of Higher Education report provides new insight into the value Americans place on post-high school education and what still stands in their way. Despite continued concern over cost, demand for education remains strong: 57% of unenrolled adults have considered enrolling in the past two years. Mental health, emotional stress and finances remain top reasons adults drop out of college or delay enrollment.

Through this report and more, including a recent report on how students feel about Free Speech on Campus, Gallup is providing important insights into student motivation, feelings of belonging, and barriers to learning. Stephanie Marken will engage with us in conversation about their library of research and how community and civic engagement professionals might use this data to support their work.