Students Trust Campus Leaders More Than Public Does, Survey Finds

College students hold a more positive view of their institutions' leadership than the general American public, even as broader trust in higher education continues to decline, according to a new survey from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation. The findings, released Thursday, reveal a significant gap between student perceptions and the national sentiment toward colleges and universities.

The survey, conducted between October 23 and November 1, 2025, polled 3,801 currently enrolled associate and bachelor's degree students aged 18 to 59. It found that 55 percent of students believe their school's administration usually makes decisions with students' best interests in mind. Specifically, 12 percent said leadership acts in their best interest "all of the time," while 43 percent said "most of the time." However, a substantial minority expressed doubt, with 35 percent saying their school acts in their interest only "some of the time," and 11 percent saying "rarely" or "never."

This student confidence stands in stark contrast to the general public's eroding faith in higher education. Separate Gallup polling indicates that just 38 percent of U.S. adults currently maintain a "great deal" or...