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Americans have much more confidence in public colleges and universities than in private ones, accorindg to a new survey by Vanderbilt University’s Project on Unity and American Democracy.
The probability-based poll was fielded from June 6 to June 10, 2025, reaching 1,029 American adults in English and Spanish. The results reveal interesting nuances in public sentiment, as well as divisions among those Republican voters who identify as part of the Make America Great Again movement and those who identify more with the traditional Republican Party. While the divisions are not pervasive, they do appear across a range of topics, from policy preferences to personal interests.
Among additional highlights of the poll:
- General interest in politics is low, with only 11 percent selecting it as the topic in which they are most interested. Health and wellness had the highest level of interest at 25 percent.
- Twenty-nine percent think AI will make their and their families’ lives much or somewhat better, 36 percent think it will make life somewhat or much worse, and 34 percent think it will not make much difference.
- Thirty-five percent of Republicans are enthusiastic about the actions the Trump administration has taken so far this term, and 31 percent are satisfied but not enthusiastic. Among Democrats, 68 percent are angry, and 21 percent are dissatisfied but not angry.
- Among those who are interested in politics, MAGA supporters have the highest representation.
- Sixteen percent of the MAGA group cite politics as their top interest.
- Twelve percent of Democrats indicate politics as a top interest.
- Traditional Republicans exhibit the lowest interest in politics, with only six percent listing it as their top interest.