A new survey of business leaders finds many of them are skeptical that American colleges and universities are effectively preparing students for the workforce.
Just one-third said they agreed or strongly agreed that higher education institutions are "graduating students with the skills and competences that my business needs," according to polling from Gallup. The business leaders were similarly divided in the poll about whether America has the best higher education system in the world.
The survey included responses from 623 business leaders in executive and senior roles at their company. It was conducted by Gallup on behalf of Lumina Foundation, and released in conjunction with a new report on how Americans view the state of higher education.
Other recent polling from Gallup found Americans continue to strongly believe college is important.
In the new report from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, three-fourths of Americans believe higher education is not affordable, but a majority believe both an associate degree and bachelor's degree will lead to a good job.
A vast majority in the report favored increased collaboration between higher education institutions and businesses.