A new Lumina Foundation and Gallup survey found that most adults say four-year colleges are not affordable, while community colleges earn higher marks on affordability. The results arrive amid mounting financial pressure in higher education, with operating margins tightening for many institutions. The poll also found that even with affordability concerns, 74% of parents want their children to pursue some form of postsecondary education right after high school, with four-year colleges the top selection. The article ties perceptions to broader budget realities, citing weakened operating margins among private colleges and limited fiscal flexibility at the state level. The report also notes federal action moving to raise the Pell Grant by $50 (to a maximum of $7,445) alongside additional funding aimed at addressing a Pell shortfall—efforts that may affect institutional pricing and student aid strategies.