A Third Way report says students at regional public universities report both strong belonging and intense financial strain. In a survey of 500 students, nearly four in five said a financial emergency could prevent them from continuing school, and more than half described themselves as “just getting by” financially. The report says the cultural focus on highly selective institutions creates an inaccurate picture of who regional universities serve and how they operate. It also highlights demographic reach—86% attending in their home state and 38% identifying as first in their family to go to college. Financial stress is paired with widespread use of AI: 37% said they use AI every day, while 61% reported worry that AI could eliminate or significantly impact their career paths. The survey also found substantial reliance on loans, with 68% of respondents taking out loans. Third Way quotes students describing a campus reality that involves heavy coursework and part-time work alongside real academic pressure, contrasting with portrayals that frame student life as mostly leisure.