How America Plans for Post- secondary Education

Washington DC, May 20, 2020

The Higher Ambitions: How America Plans for Post-secondary Education study is designed to understand students’ plans for life after high school, how they are preparing for post-secondary education if they plan to attend, and how they expect to pay for this post-secondary education.

More than 9 in 10 high school students are considering post-secondary education: 73 percent of families with a high school student say the student will continue his/her education after high school, and another 21 percent say they probably will attend. To achieve the goal of higher education, most of these families are planning academically to ensure acceptance and financially to ensure affordability. Three-quarters of families have taken steps to prepare for admission, such as researching and narrowing down colleges, consulting with counselors, and taking standardized tests. Fewer, however, are as prepared financially. Just over half of families say they have a plan to pay for higher education, although having one corresponds to a stronger commitment to attending and more confidence in their ability to succeed.

About this Study

Sallie Mae partnered with Ipsos to introduce a new study, Higher Ambitions: How America Plans for Post-secondary Education. The study expands our understanding of how high school students and their parents are planning for higher education.

Interviews were conducted online in English between Jan. 8, 2020 and Jan. 17, 2020. The survey sample comprised a cross-section of key demographic variables of

• 1,503 parents of high school students, and
• 1,507 high school students from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.

The students were recruited by requesting their participation through their parents. This report includes a full set of response tables associated with each itemized question. Percentage amounts reported may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.

To assess the impact of the pandemic on families’ current thinking, we fielded a shorter, follow-up survey repeating several key questions to use as points of comparison, along with several new questions specific to concerns about COVID-19. This adjunct survey was conducted online in English between April 10, 2020, and April 22, 2020, with a sample of

• 500 parents of high school juniors and seniors, and
• 500 high school juniors and seniors from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Jennifer Berg
Director, US
Public Affairs
+1 773 251-0171
[email protected]

Kate Silverstein
Media Relations Specialist, US
Public Affairs
+1 718 755-8829
[email protected]

Sample Design

The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to the study, in drawing sample. After a sample has been obtained, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is 2013 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics.

Weighting

To correct for adjustments to sample targets during fielding, the survey was weighted using a statistical technique called rim-weighting to align the respondent demographics with the current US population. All of the demographic profiles used in the weights were sourced from the 2013 American Community Survey (ACS).

Credibility Interval

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the study has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=3,010, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=5). The study also has a credibility interval plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for parents and plus or minus 3.1 percentage points for students.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com

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