A new Lumina Foundation and Gallup poll found that only 12% of surveyed adults believe four-year colleges are doing a “good” or “excellent” job providing affordable education. By contrast, 54% rate community colleges highly on affordability. Even with affordability concerns, 74% of parents said they want their children to pursue postsecondary education right after high school. The poll also places responsibility primarily on colleges themselves, while state and federal governments are named next. Separately, S&P Global Ratings reported weakened operating margins across many institutions despite fiscal 2025 enrollment growth, underscoring how limited institutional financial flexibility can constrain affordability strategies. The combination of public skepticism and thin margins sets up renewed pressure for tuition, grant, and program-value reforms, particularly as policymakers debate how to manage college cost without undermining access.