Kaplan Survey: Most Aspiring College Students Prefer Campuses Where Classmates Hold Similar Political Views

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global education company Kaplan finds that 56 percent of high school students say that it’s important for them to attend a college or university where their fellow students generally hold the same political/social views as they do.* Nearly a third (32%) say it’s not important, with the remaining 12% unsure. The release of the survey of 500 aspiring college students comes at the moment when college applicants are making their final decisions about where to enroll, amid a heightened political climate on campuses across America, marked by disagreements over commencement speakers and ongoing debates about free speech.

Kaplan’s survey also finds that 63% of students believe colleges and universities should issue official statements on major current events, rather than remain silent. Just 20% say that colleges and universities should not issue official statements; and 16% are unsure. Finding the right approach is something that many college administrations have recently struggled with, often balancing the viewpoints of students, faculty, alumni, and donors.

Additionally, a majority of surveyed high school students (54%) say they are not concerned about how their political beliefs will be received in college. Another 31% say they are concerned, while the remaining 16% are unsure, indicating that attitudes toward political expression on campus vary widely among prospective students.

Jason Bedford, senior vice president, Kaplan, said:

“Higher education is navigating a louder cultural landscape, and politics, ethics, and social issues are increasingly reflected in the student voice and in how students envision both their college experience and the world they will step into after graduation. Many aspiring college students want to learn in environments where they feel comfortable with the political climate, but pragmatism ultimately drives enrollment decisions. Affordability, academic quality, location, and post-graduation career growth remain the strongest factors in where students choose to attend. What stands out most is the wide range of student perspectives, underscoring that college campuses continue to serve as important spaces for discussion, dialogue, and opportunity.”

Contact russell.schaffer@kaplan.com to speak with a college admissions expert at Kaplan.

*The online survey was conducted in April 2026 of 500 high school seniors, juniors, and sophomores across the U.S. who plan to apply to a four-year college or university. Findings were rounded to the nearest whole number.

About Kaplan

Kaplan, Inc. is a global education company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions helps students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retention, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 40 countries/regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 16,000 corporate clients, and 2,700 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526751805/en/

Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com
Twitter: @KaplanEdNews

Source: Kaplan, Inc.