Experts, including presidential candidates, overwhelmingly assert the importance of education beyond high school. Yet research we released last month suggests these exchanges are not reaching the public. Just 42 percent of Americans say a college education is necessary for success in the workforce.

This month, we seek to elevate the public's voice on the problems and solutions facing higher education, through new findings released today. We hope these findings will help policymakers, experts, and college and university leaders better understand how they can rebuild the public's faith in higher education as a path to a better life.

In a pair of surveys funded by The Kresge Foundation, Public Agenda asked over 1,000 American adults about prominent problems and reforms facing higher education.

What are the problems?

• 68% of Americans say cuts in state funding for public colleges is a problem. But they're just as likely to say colleges that are wasteful in how they spend their money is a problem.
• Americans are also concerned about high schools that fail to prepare students for college-level work. However, they are less likely to view student persistence as a problem.

What are the solutions?

• 66% of Americans support free college for low-and middle-income students, though they are divided by political affiliation and age.
• Most Americans say colleges should prepare students for jobs and careers. They also support requiring colleges to publicly report graduation metrics.

We believe that efforts to boost college attainment will have the best chance of succeeding if they are informed by and responsive to the needs and perspectives of the American public. Do you agree? If so, help us spread the word about this research! Copy and paste the tweets below.