A recent poll released and conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education has found that the American public holds higher education on an elevated pedestal in terms of quality and effectiveness.

The public ranked public, private and community colleges within the top five positions of national institutions that they place their confidence in.

“I’d say that the overall quality of the nation’s education remains very high, and we remain among the world’s premier education system,” University of Wisconsin Professor of Higher Education and Administration Clifton F. Conrad said.

The poll, which interviewed 1,000 adults aged 25 to 65 by telephone, also examined the opinions of its interviewees in relation to other facets of higher education, including its economic, athletic and affirmative action policies.

Despite this general support, the public expressed several problems with what they conceive as the overall focus of colleges today.

Close to two thirds of the participants said that too much emphasis is placed on athletics, and that administrative concerns need to shift away from economic and research matters to a stronger emphasis on general education, leadership and training, adult education and teacher training.

“The public opinion poll data is mixed … it’s kind of a funny paradox,” said Aaron Brower, UW professor of social work and Integrated Liberal Studies and faculty director of the Bradley Learning Community.

The poll found that many Americans looked to private institutions as better places for their children to attend college, where more of an emphasis is placed on academics.

Conrad, though, said such a notion is “silly.” In his opinion, the elite private schools, such as the Ivy Leagues, do offer a better education, but beyond that, the benefits are no greater than those harbored at a public university.

In addition, only half of the respondents see a four-year degree from college as an essential component of societal success.

Brower noted that this prospect may become a reality within the near future.

“Who’s going to college is changing pretty radically,” Brower said, adding that more than 70 percent of those eligible to attend some sort of higher institution are taking advantage of the opportunity. “It’s almost like getting a college degree is getting a high school degree.”

Brower sees this prospect as positive in that it increases diversity, but at the same time poses a problem for those who cannot afford college.

“If college is required, it really shuts them out,” he said.

With the increasing threat of financial constraints and cuts, economics is taking center stage in higher education matters.

“Higher education is under serious economic restraints … I would say that this is the most severe funding crisis,” Conrad said.

Despite this fact, 75 percent believe college is worth the price, and nearly two thirds believed they should bear the majority of college fees, whereas eleven percent said states should swallow responsibility for the fees and 17 percent said the government must intervene in the fees.

Brower, though, only sees these fees as increasing in the near future because of the current economic crises. Although unsure about the future repercussions of these economic matters, he thinks states will give less for education and that tuition will continue to skyrocket.

“What’s happening in the short term is what’s going to continue in the long term,” he said.

The poll also found that Americans believe the quality of higher education institutions in their state are at least average or above average.

Generally, those polled stated support for affirmative action, with four of five respondents saying that preparing minorities for the work force should be a focus of colleges. However, 64 percent said minority students should not be admitted with lower credentials than their white counterparts.