Leading in Turbulent Times: A Survey of Presidents - Doug Lederman, Inside Higher Ed

Only 13 percent of college and university presidents agree that "most Americans have an accurate view of the purpose of higher education," and just 16 percent say the public has an accurate view of the purpose of their sector of higher education. The leaders of research institutions feel especially misunderstood: just 5 percent of presidents of public doctoral universities and 11 percent at private doctoral and master’s-level institutions say the public understands their sector, compared to 22 percent of community college leaders, for example. Overwhelming majorities of presidents of all types say the public has been swayed by misconceptions about how they operate. Eighty-six percent of all presidents (and 90 percent of private college leaders) say news media and political focus on student debt has "led many prospective students and parents to think of college as less affordable than it is, taking into account student aid," and 84 percent of all presidents (led by those at research universities) agree that attention to the minority of institutions with large endowments has "created a perception that most colleges are wealthier than they are." https://www.insidehighered.com/news/survey/survey-college-presidents-finds-worry-about-public-attitudes-confidence-finances