5. Survey Methodology
Telephone methodology covering 95% of the U.S. adult population
Random-digit-dial (RDD) telephone frame; 70% cellphone, 30% landline
Data are weighted to U.S. Census Bureau targets to correct for selection probability and nonresponse
Adults, aged currently living in the U.S.
Representative sampling and data collection approach allows for projection to the greater U.S. adult population
350 adults are interviewed daily; 10,000 per month; 122,500 annually
Respondents are asked for permission to recontact and 75% provide permission for future follow-up via quantitative and qualitative recontact studies
Results for this report are based on interviews conducted June 29, 2016-March 26, 2017, with 89,492 U.S. adults. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting and are calculated at the 95% confidence level.
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6. Majority of U.S. Adults Would Do Their Education Differently
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7. Second Thoughts by Degree, Institution and Major
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8. Bachelor’s Degree Blues?
Bachelor’s degree holders and those with some college, but no degree, are the most likely to have “second thoughts” about their field of study.
Bachelor’s degree
Some college, no degree
Associate degree
Vocational/Tech/Trade program
Postgraduate degree
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9. Lower Income Earners Less Sure of Their Education Path
But many high earners would still like a do-over.
58%
43%
of earners under $40,000 annually express some regret
of earners over $250,000 annually express some regret
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10. Older Graduates Express Less Regret
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11. Parental education is unrelated to second thoughts.

12. STEM Majors Are Least Likely to Second-Guess Their Field of Study
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13. Most U.S. Adults Say They Received a High-Quality Education
Percentage who feel they received a high-quality education, by education level.
Technical/Trade/ Vocational program
Some college, no degree
Associate degree
Bachelor’s degree
Some postgraduate work
Postgraduate degree
4-Agree
25%
30%
28%
31%
24%
5-Strongly agree
56%
40%
53% 
58%
71% 
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14. U.S. Adults Do NOT Complete Credentials For Varied Reasons
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15. Reputation, Proximity More Important Than Price or Aid
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16. Family Members and Experts Are Most Valuable Sources of Advice
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17. Regret and Student Loan Debt Are Largely Unrelated
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18. Regret and Student Loan Debt Are Largely Unrelated (cont’d)
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