NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

4 INSTALLMENT OF THE INNOVATION IMPERATIVE POLLING SERIES: PORTRAIT OF GENERATION Z

TH

NATIONAL SURVEY OF U.S. YOUTH (AGES 16-19)

TOPLINE REPORT OF FINDINGS
Total Sample (N) = 1,015
Phone Survey Conducted via Landline and Cell between October 8 23, 2014 (n = 506)
Web Survey Conducted Online between October 21 23, 2014 (n = 509)
1. Overall, do you think the country is headed in the right direction, or do you think things are off on the
wrong track?
45%
47%
7%

Right direction
Wrong track
Dont know / Refused

Thinking about different topics or issues that you might pay attention to, how concerned are you about each
of the following
Total Not
Concerned

Total
Concerned

Not At
All

Slightly

Somewhat

Very

2. Climate change

55%

45%

27%

28%

27%

18%

3. Being the victim of a

violent crime

59%

40%

27%

32%

19%

21%

4. You or your family

having enough money

40%

60%

17%

22%

27%

33%

5. Being able to get a job

36%

64%

14%

22%

25%

39%

6. Being able to afford

college

33%

67%

15%

18%

21%

46%

7. The U.S. going to war

with another country

36%

64%

11%

25%

33%

31%

8. Global terrorism

36%

64%

11%

26%

34%

30%

9. Conflicts in America
between different racial
and ethnic groups

45%

55%

15%

31%

29%

25%

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:
Total
Agree

Total
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Somewhat
Agree

Neutral

Somewhat
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

10. Big corporations and

banks control too much
in American society

64%

15%

27%

37%

21%

10%

5%

11. The gap between rich

and poor Americans is
harmful to my
generation

61%

14%

29%

32%

24%

10%

4%

12. It's better for America to

be a place with people of
many races and
languages, rather than a
country that is less
diverse

73%

10%

52%

21%

18%

7%

3%

13. [High school students / not currently in college or working full-time, N = 514]: Which of the following
comes closest to your plans immediately after high school (please select one answer): I plan to
54%
11%
1%
3%
5%
6%
4%
*
15%

Attend a four-year college

Attend a two-year college
Enroll in an online-only degree program
Enroll in a technical college or apprenticeship program
Work full-time
Work part-time and take classes part-time
Join the military
Travel abroad
Not sure, Im still deciding

13B. [Plans are not to attend college, N = 115]: What is the main reason youre not planning to attend a two
or four-year college immediately after high school?
24%
1%
18%
17%
25%
4%
5%
6%

It is too expensive
It will take too long to graduate
I dont need it to achieve my goals
I need to work full-time to earn money
I need more time to think about what I want to do with my life
I dont think I can get accepted
Going into the military (for a career or to help pay for college)
Other
2

14. How much student loan debt do you think is manageable?

44%
22%
5%
25%
3%

$100 / month
$500 / month
$1,000 / month
I dont think any debt is manageable
Dont know

15. Do you feel that college costs are

65%
31%
4%

Worth it; the benefits will outweigh the costs

Not worth it; the costs will outweigh the benefits
Dont know

16. [Planning to attend some form of college / current college students, N = 848]: Which of the following is
the main way that you pay [expect to pay] for college?
36%
5%
23%
11%
17%
9%
*

Academic scholarship or grant

Athletic scholarship
My parent(s)/guardian(s) or other relatives paying
By myself by working in college
Student loan(s)
Im not sure how Ill pay for it
Dont know

[Planning to attend some form of college / current college students, N = 848]: How important are/were the
following in your choice of college?
Total
IMPT

Total
Not
IMPT

Extremely
IMPT

Very
IMPT

Somewhat
IMPT

Not Very
IMPT

Not At
All
IMPT

17. Affordability

77%

5%

40%

37%

18%

2%

2%

18. Location

59%

11%

22%

38%

30%

7%

4%

19. Diversity of student body

40%

30%

14%

27%

29%

17%

13%

20. Quality of residence halls

and campus facilities

52%

11%

17%

34%

38%

7%

4%

21. Rankings

47%

14%

14%

33%

40%

9%

5%

22. Graduation rate

60%

13%

24%

36%

26%

7%

6%

23. Job placement rate and/or

average graduate salary

70%

6%

30%

40%

23%

4%

2%

24. If the government had a website that rated colleges according to their students' graduation rates, postgraduation jobs, and student debt levels, would you use it to make decisions about where to go to
school?
82%
17%

Yes
No

25. Do you believe top private universities such as Harvard and Stanford are generally more expensive than
public universities?
83%
4%
11%
1%

Yes
No
It depends on the students / familys financial circumstances
Dont know

Please tell me how big of an obstacle each of the following items is/was for you in deciding to go to college.
Total
Obstacle

Total Not An
Obstacle

Very

Somewhat

Not Very

Not At All

26. [TRACKER] Paying for college, including the costs of tuition, living expenses and books
2014
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

83%
86%
89%

17%
13%
11%

45%
60%
64%

38%
26%
25%

10%
6%
7%

7%
7%
4%

27. [TRACKER] Figuring out the financial aid process, including the best loan options and how much you will
owe (2012 wording: Navigating the financial aid process, including figuring out the best loan options
and how much you will owe)
2014
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

77%
74%
83%

23%
23%
17%

35%
40%
40%

42%
34%
43%

12%
11%
11%

11%
12%
6%

38%

44%

10%

8%

18%

19%

28. Figuring out the best option or fit for you

2014

82%

18%

29. Figuring out the application process, including how to apply, fees and deadlines
2014

63%

37%

22%

42%

30. When you are your parents age, do you think you will be financially better or worse off than your parents
are now?
65%
12%
22%
2%

Better off
Worse off
About the same
Dont know

And, how important or unimportant would you say a college degree is to

Total IMPT

Total Not
IMPT

Extremely
IMPT

Very IMPT

Somewhat
IMPT

Not Very
IMPT

Not At All
IMPT

31. [TRACKER] Have the career that you want (2012 wording: Getting promoted or advancing your career)
2014
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

81%
74%
75%

6%
4%
5%

54%
34%
42%

27%
40%
33%

13%
20%
20%

5%
3%
4%

1%
1%
1%

6%

46%

29%

19%

4%

2%

30%

28%

29%

8%

5%

32. Earn the income you want

2014

75%

33. Make you a more well-rounded person

2014

58%

14%

Some colleges and universities are developing new ways to educate students and prepare them for the
workforce. Please indicate how important you think each of the following is for U.S. colleges and universities
to focus on:

Total IMPT

Total Not
IMPT

Extremely
IMPT

Very IMPT

Somewhat
IMPT

Not Very
IMPT

Not At All
IMPT

34. [TRACKER] Integrating education programs with practical experience, such as internships with employers
Oct. 2014
Feb. 2014
2013 Natl
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

79%
96%
79%
77%
81%

2%
3%
3%
3%
2%

43%
29%
33%
42%

36%
75%
50%
44%
39%

19%
21%
19%
19%
16%

1%
1%
2%
2%
2%

*
2%
1%
1%
*

35. [TRACKER] Providing more ways to attend classes, including online (2012 wording: Providing more ways
to attend classes, including from regional or satellite campus locations and online)
2014
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

57%
66%
64%

9%
7%
5%

24%
27%
29%

33%
39%
34%

34%
26%
32%

8%
6%
5%

1%
2%
*

2%

4%

1%

36. Teaching students practical skills like financial planning and saving for the future
2014

85%

2%

51%

34%

13%

37. Teaching students about entrepreneurship, including how to start a business

2014

63%

5%

26%

37%

32%

Now, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Neither
Total
Strongly
Somewhat
Somewhat
Total Agree
Agree nor
Disagree
Agree
Agree
Disagree
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

38. [TRACKER] An online college degree will be just as recognized and accepted among employers as a
traditional college degree in the near future (next 5-7yrs)
Oct. 2014
Feb. 2014
2013 Natl
2013 HM OS
2012 Natl
2012 18-30 OS

52%
54%
52%
49%
53%
67%

26%
42%
32%
20%
39%
31%

20%
16%
13%
14%
13%
24%

32%
38%
39%
35%
40%
43%

21%
15%
31%
6%
2%

18%
32%
25%
16%
28%
24%

9%
10%
7%
4%
10%
6%

Total
Agree

Total
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Somewhat
Agree

Neutral

Somewhat
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

39. College should be free for

everybody

53%

30%

32%

21%

17%

18%

11%

40. Government needs to do

more to help students pay
for college if they cant afford
it, even if it means raising
taxes for other people

53%

25%

25%

28%

22%

15%

11%

41. Colleges should do more to

help students afford higher
education, even if it means
fewer programs and services

58%

14%

24%

34%

28%

11%

3%

42. Colleges and universities

should do more to increase
racial, ethnic and economic
diversity among their
students, even if it means
not being able to accept
other deserving students

32%

42%

13%

19%

26%

21%

21%

43. Colleges should allow

students to design their own
course of study or major

72%

8%

31%

41%

20%

5%

3%

44. Colleges should significantly

change how they offer
education, because the
current way just doesnt work
anymore

46%

22%

17%

30%

30%

15%

8%

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Total
Agree

Total
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Somewhat
Agree

Neutral

Somewhat
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

45. I make most of my

purchases online

38%

43%

12%

25%

19%

22%

22%

46. I prefer to interact with my

friends via social media
than in person

15%

66%

6%

9%

18%

21%

45%

47. I know people that have

been cyberbullied or
stalked online

61%

27%

31%

30%

12%

12%

15%

48. I have posted things online

that I wish I could take back

32%

50%

13%

19%

18%

19%

19%

49. I prefer to ask someone out

online vs in person

19%

69%

8%

11%

12%

19%

50%

50. I have ended a relationship

online

22%

66%

12%

10%

12%

13%

53%

51. How many hours per day do you play video games (online or otherwise)?
37%
24%
15%
12%
11%

Less than 1 hour

1 2 hours
2 3 hours
More than 3 hours
I dont play video games

52. To what extent do you consider the following people to be role models for you? Please rank the following
from 1 to 6, with 1 being who you most consider a role model, and 6 being who you least consider a role
model.
1st Choice 2nd Choice 3rd Choice 4th Choice 5th Choice 6th Choice
Your Parents

69%

18%

5%

2%

1%

4%

Your Teachers

11%

42%

26%

10%

8%

3%

Religious Leaders

8%

16%

22%

16%

19%

18%

Celebrities

5%

7%

13%

20%

24%

30%

Professional Athletes

4%

9%

17%

27%

24%

17%

Political Leaders

3%

7%

16%

23%

22%

27%

53. When an event occurs in your town, country, or the world, what is your main source for information?
21%
12%
29%
8%
27%
1%

Television
What my friends post online
Original online news sources such as cnn.com and nytimes.com
Other news sites such as Buzzfeed and Reddit
Word of mouth from parents, friends, teachers, etc.
Other

Do you
Yes

No

Not sure

54. Volunteer for a charity or service

organization

55%

45%

55. Take steps beyond recycling to limit your

impact on the environment

55%

44%

56. Take steps to maintain a healthy weight

79%

21%

57. Believe in God

78%

21%

2%

58. Attend religious services at least weekly

41%

58%

59. Practice a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle

11%

89%

60. Plan to live or study abroad in the future

55%

42%

3%

And, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following:
Total
Agree

Total
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Somewhat
Agree

Neutral

Somewhat
Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

61. Everyone should have

the right to marry,
regardless of sexual
orientation

73%

15%

61%

12%

12%

6%

9%

62. Transgender people

should have equal rights

74%

10%

56%

18%

15%

4%

6%

63. Healthcare should be

free for everyone

64%

20%

35%

28%

16%

10%

10%

64. Everyone should have

the right to become a
U.S. citizen, regardless
of where they were born
and how they came to
the country

55%

26%

26%

28%

20%

16%

10%

65. The U.S. gets involved in

too many military
conflicts

64%

14%

31%

33%

21%

9%

5%

66. People should not be

jailed for using illegal
drugs

32%

49%

12%

20%

19%

22%

27%

67. What would your annual salary need to be to consider yourself rich?
6%
29%
31%
14%
5%
7%
6%

$50,000
$100,000
$500,000
$1 million
$5 million
$10 million
Dont know / Refused

68. In your career, do you expect to work for yourself or someone else?
42%
57%
1%

Myself
Someone else
Dont know / Refused

69. Which, if any, of the following do you currently have?

Yes

No

Dont know /
Not sure

Bank account

77%

21%

2%

Credit card

28%

69%

3%

529 college savings plan

12%

74%

14%

Yes

No

Dont know /
Not sure

Credit card debt

5%

93%

1%

Car loan

8%

90%

2%

Student loans

17%

80%

2%

Other

1%

92%

6%

70. Which, if any, of the following types of debt do you currently hold?

10

71. Have your parents ever talked to you about the following?
Yes

No

Avoiding drug and alcohol use

86%

14%

Budgeting, managing a checkbook, and paying bills

71%

29%

Saving for my college education

74%

26%

Practicing safe sex

72%

28%

SCREENERS & DEMOGRAPHICS

S1. Age
24%
24%
19%
31%

16 years old
17 years old
18 years old
19 years old

S2. Are you

51%
49%

Male
Female

S3. What is the highest level of education you have completed so far?
8%
22%
26%
23%
18%
2%

9th grade
10th grade
11th grade
High School degree
2-year college degree
2-year technical or certificate program

11

S4. Which of the following best describes your current status?

54%
7%
21%
1%
2%
8%
7%
*

Attending high school

Attending a 2-year college
Attending a 4-year college
Enrolled in an online-only college degree program
Enrolled in a technical college or apprenticeship program
Working full-time
Working part-time and going to school part-time
Dont know / Refused

S5. Did your parents graduate from a four-year college?

27%
31%
38%
5%

Yes, both of them did

Yes, one of them did
No, neither of them
Dont know / Refused

S6. What is your main ethnic or racial background?

67%
20%
17%
4%
1%
4%
1%
3%

White or Caucasian
Hispanic or Latino
Black or African American
Asian-American or Asian
Native American/American Indian/Alaskan Native
Mixed
Other
Dont know / Refused

S7. Which state do you currently live in?

2%
*
2%
*
12%
2%
*
*
*
8%
4%
*
*
4%

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois

3%
1%
1%
3%
1%
*
2%
3%
2%
2%
*
1%
*
*

Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
12

*
*
2%
1%
8%
3%
*
5%
*
1%
5%
*
1%
1%

Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota

4%
7%
1%

Tennessee
Texas
Utah

*
2%
2%

Vermont
Virginia
Washington

*
1%
*

West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

S8. [Age 18-19, N = 515] Are you currently registered to vote?

56%
41%
4%

Yes
No
Dont know / Refused

S9. [Registered to vote, N = 310] How likely are you to vote in the upcoming election for President?
56%
Very Likely
25%
Somewhat Likely
13%
Not Very Likely
6%
Not At All Likely
1%
Dont know
S10. Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as
19%
27%
35%
1%
14%
4%

Republican
Democrat
Independent
Something else / other
Dont know / Not sure
Refused

S11. And, do you think of yourself as

7%
17%
27%
20%
11%
15%
3%

Very Conservative
Somewhat Conservative
Moderate
Somewhat Liberal
Very Liberal
Dont know/ Not sure
Refused

S12. Currently, are you yourself employed full-time, part-time, or not at all?

9%
41%
50%

Full-time
Part-time
Not employed
13

S13A. [Non-high school students, N = 576] Do you currently live with your parents?
58%
41%

Yes
No

S13B. [High school students, N = 439] Do you plan to move out of your parents house after high school?
66%
18%
15%

Yes
No
Unsure/ Havent decided

S14. People are often classified in different economic categories. Do you consider your family to be
3%
22%
46%
22%
8%

Upper Class
Upper-Middle Class
Middle Class
Lower-Middle Class
Lower Class

S15. If you had to estimate, is your familys total annual household income from all sources and before
taxes:
7%
Less than $15,000
14%
$15,000 to less than $30,000
17%
$30,000 to less than $50,000
19%
$50,000 to less than $75,000
11%
$75,000 to less than $100,000
15%
$100,000 or more
11%
Dont know / Not sure
4%
Refused

Note: Findings weighted by 2012 Census data. Due to rounding, Totals may not equal 100 in all cases.

#######

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