This is not a Republican illusion. The political leanings of academia are very real.
Most professors identify as liberal and Democrat. University administrators skew left as well. It’s striking how few professors are conservative or Republican. The imbalance began during the Reagan era and has accelerated since that time. It’s most severe in the social sciences and humanities, though the number of liberal professors has increased across all disciplines.
The education establishment in general stands out as a major supporter of Democrats, ranked 13th on Open Secrets’ list of top industry contributors in 2024. Several prominent universities were listed in the top 100 companies whose workforce donated the most to Joe Biden in 2020. College towns are also hotbeds of progressive culture that can deliver decisive margins for Democrats in competitive statewide races.
It’s not surprising that universities are now in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.
This isn’t the old GOP that complained about radical campus liberals while attracting sizeable shares of the college educated vote. Political tensions are much higher today, and party coalitions are divided by educational attainment. In 2024, for example, a majority of voters without a college degree supported Trump while a majority with a college degree supported Harris. As the diploma divide expands, universities are increasingly ensnared in political disputes, pressured by one side to stand up and by the other to stand aside.
This is troubling. Public confidence in higher education has reached an all-time low. The primary factor cited is political agendas.
Approximately seventy percent say higher education is headed in the wrong direction.
Understandably there is a strong desire within universities to push back against Trump.
But that would only exacerbate the situation. Consider the Marches for Science that took place following Trump’s victory in 2016.
Democrat lawmakers congratulated researchers for organizing and fighting back. Republicans charged left-wing bias.
Politicization increased.
What compels universities to enter the labyrinth of political and social issues that divide the nation? Aligning too closely with one side introduces unnecessary risks and, as we’ve seen, defeat results in serious political fallout. Instead, adopt a policy of institutional neutrality and relentlessly spotlight the value of universities to the states and communities they serve. A university’s value reaches well beyond a degree, positively impacting a region’s economic, social, and health outcomes.
Universities may also consider directing additional resources toward lobbying.
While state appropriations have dipped, they still represent a sizeable share of university revenue. Building close connections with legislators pays off in countless ways. It’s crucial to recruit and retain people that connect with legislators and appreciate their experiences regardless of party.
This isn’t about forsaking principles. It’s about necessary adjustments, a thoughtful reset to effectively respond to the new political environment. Finally, federal cutbacks impact Republicans too. This will test GOP lawmakers support for Trump. Legal battles are likely to impede Trump’s momentum as well.
And there’s the midterms. Democrats have a strong chance of reclaiming the House in 2026.
The pendulum then swings back.
Until then, don’t make higher education an even bigger target. Recommit to core purposes of research and teaching and draw a hard line against politicization.