Public Opinion Research on Liberal Education

AAC&U is commissioning and analyzing research studies that explore how college students, prospective college students, parents, business leaders, and recent college graduates view higher education today. AAC&U is assessing these various groups’ understanding of and attitudes toward liberal education and key outcomes of college in the 21st century.

• Summary of Existing Research on Liberal Education Outcomes (pdf)
   
• Findings from Focus Groups with Current College Students and Rising High School Seniors (Indianapolis/Portland/Alexandria—Summer 2004) (pdf)
   
• Findings from Focus Groups with Current College Students and High School Seniors (Milwaukee, Wisconsin—March, 2005) (pdf)
   
• Findings from Focus Groups with Private Employers (Milwaukee/Alexandria/Atlanta--January, 2006) (pdf)
   
• AAC&U's Focus Group Discussion Guide and Handouts prepared for use on campuses (pdf)

Other research on higher education and liberal education issues:

• Study of Young People’s Attitudes About Life After High School and Their Preparation for and Pathways to College
  
• Study on Americans’ Views of Political Bias in the Academy and Academic Freedom