While a majority of voters value post-high school education, more than a quarter don’t believe it’s actually important.
In a survey by the Detroit Regional Chamber and Glengariff Group, 27% said a post-high school education is not important and only 17% say a four-year degree is affordable. Sandy Barua, president of the chamber, said the responses were different, though, for two-year degrees.
“So the fact that two thirds of voters understand that a two year collegiate education is indeed affordable is a good thing, but to only have 17 percent say that a four year education is affordable doesn’t comport with the actual facts,” Barush said.
Baruah said that in many cases, students at places like Wayne State University can walk out debt-free. So he says understanding the barriers that limit Michiganders to take advantage of post-secondary education will be important for building the future workforce.
Those survey results were shared Tuesday as part of the Mackinac Policy Conference.
