Americans Divided Over DEI Programs on College Campuses, Poll Finds

By JOCELYN GECKER and LINLEY SANDERS

WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump seeks to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices on college campuses, a new poll suggests that while the concept of DEI is divisive, some of the initiatives being affected by his administration’s guidance are less controversial.

Introduction to DEI Programs

The poll, conducted earlier this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found about 4 in 10 Americans “strongly” or “somewhat” favor DEI programs in colleges and universities, while about 3 in 10 oppose those initiatives and about 3 in 10 are neutral.

Support is higher for courses on racism and scholarships for students of color, among other services designed to help students from underrepresented groups.

Components of DEI Programs

The findings underscore that while “DEI” has become a politically toxic and unpopular term for many Americans, some components of DEI programs have much less opposition.

This is especially true among Republicans. While about 6 in 10 Republicans oppose DEI programs broadly, their opposition softens for many of their most common elements. Just under half of Republicans oppose courses that teach about racism. About one-third oppose scholarships for students from underrepresented groups. And roughly 3 in 10 oppose clubs and mentorship services for those students.

About 7 in 10 Democrats, by contrast, favor DEI programs on college campuses, with similar shares supporting courses that teach about racism and scholarships or extracurricular support services for students from underrepresented groups.

Divides Reflect Different Views of DEI’s Meaning

Some of this tension may stem from differing perspectives on what DEI means.

“I’m dead set against DEI,” says poll respondent Robert Ayala, an 81-year-old registered independent who leans Republican. His understanding of DEI is “giving someone a free ride” or hiring people based on their skin color, as opposed to their skill set.

But Ayala says he fully supports scholarships and mentoring to help disadvantaged students. Ayala, who has Mexican ancestry, grew up poor in rural South Dakota, faced prejudice as a child and lacked career direction. “If I was offered a scholarship or training or had somebody to guide me, I might have found my way faster,” says Ayala, who spent 22 years in the Navy, then went into contracting and is now retired near Palm Springs, California.

Impact of Trump’s Executive Orders

Trump, a Republican, has signed multiple executive orders to eliminate diversity practices in the federal government, private companies and in education, calling them “illegal” and “immoral.” He has threatened to cut federal funding to campuses that defy him. Some of his orders are being challenged in court.

On campuses, students of color say colleges responding to the new guidance have cut back scholarships, diversity offices and mentors that made them feel welcome on predominantly white campuses.

Opposition to DEI Programs

“Everybody should have the same opportunities as everybody else,” says Stanley Roberts, 61, a registered Republican near Knoxville, Tennessee. He is “somewhat” opposed to the idea of DEI and is “on the fence” about courses that teach about racism because he thinks dwelling on the past creates division. “What happened 200 years ago or 1,000 years ago shouldn’t have happened,” he says, “but if everybody would quit talking about it, it would be a whole lot less of a problem.”

White Adults and DEI Programs

The poll shows that white adults are more likely than Black and Hispanic adults to oppose DEI programs.

Black adults are more likely than U.S. adults overall to favor courses that teach about racism.

“I know this sounds cliché to say, but the reason I favor teaching about racism is so history doesn’t repeat itself,” says Nicole Martin, 34, a Black social worker in Idaho Falls, Idaho. “I hear a lot of, ‘Oh, just get over it.’ But I think, ‘OK you don’t want to talk about slavery. But we’re still talking about the Holocaust and that’s OK.’”

Support for DEI Programs Among Women

The poll found that women are more likely than men to say they support DEI programs on college campuses, as well as support services for students from underrepresented groups.

“Without DEI, I am not sure there are many chances for understanding other people’s experiences,” says Regina Cuddeback, 27, a Democrat in Cortland, New York, who says her support for DEI depends on the context.

Cuddeback does not think race should factor into college admissions but DEI programs on campuses are “completely fine,” and she does not think the federal government should have a say in the courses colleges offer.

“Students have a right to take the classes they want to take,” says Cuddeback, who is white and a registered Democrat. “For a college to remove a class and say you don’t get to learn a certain subject anymore would be pretty abysmal.”

Conclusion

The debate over DEI programs on college campuses reflects deeper divisions in American society over issues of race, equity, and inclusion. While some see these programs as essential for creating a more just and equitable society, others view them as divisive or unnecessary. As the nation continues to grapple with these issues, it is clear that there is no easy solution, and that the conversation will continue to be complex and multifaceted.

FAQs

Q: What do DEI programs aim to achieve?

A: DEI programs aim to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses, by providing support services for students from underrepresented groups, teaching about racism and other forms of oppression, and creating a more welcoming and inclusive campus environment.

Q: Why are some people opposed to DEI programs?

A: Some people oppose DEI programs because they view them as divisive, unnecessary, or as giving unfair advantages to certain groups. Others may be concerned about the impact of these programs on free speech or academic freedom.

Q: What do the poll findings suggest about public opinion on DEI programs?

A: The poll findings suggest that public opinion on DEI programs is divided, with about 4 in 10 Americans supporting these programs, about 3 in 10 opposing them, and about 3 in 10 neutral. Support for specific components of DEI programs, such as courses on racism and scholarships for students of color, is higher than support for DEI programs broadly.

Gecker reported from San Francisco.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,175 adults was conducted May 1-5, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Originally Published: May 15, 2025 at 11:43 AM EDT