A new Lumina Foundation and Gallup poll finds only 12% of adults rate four-year colleges as “good” or “excellent” at providing affordable education, while community colleges fare better at 54%. Despite affordability concerns, 74% of parents still want children to pursue postsecondary education directly after high school. The survey also points to where accountability is expected: 76% of respondents name individual colleges as responsible, while 73% also cite state governments and 67% federal governments. The report lands as operating margins weaken across many colleges and as Pell policy proposals move through Congress. For higher education leaders, the results intensify the pressure to defend pricing and student aid strategies as public trust in affordability continues to erode.