Research in Higher Education
Through our Thought Leadership Galleries and Annual Educational Trends Reports we strive to engage these topics in an original way, blending proprietary research, op-ed content, expert panels, and resource collections.

Featured Research

Students’ Top Factors in College Choice and Admissions: 2023
Our 2023 College Choice and Admissions Survey reveals how students choose colleges and the variables they think colleges should factor into admissions decisions.

by Lyss Welding
Updated February 5, 2025
More Than 1 in 3 Students Are Involved With Campus Protests This Fall
October 21, 2024

1 in 4 Students Faced Challenges Staying Enrolled Due to FAFSA Delays, Survey Finds
October 25, 2024

1 in 3 College Students Report Witnessing More Discrimination Against Marginalized Groups This Year
November 6, 2024

College Student Voters Favor Harris to Trump, 52% vs. 39%
October 7, 2024

Over 3 in 5 College Student Voters Say a Presidential Candidate’s Vibe Matters
October 9, 2024

Less Than Half of Students Feel Comfortable Expressing Political Opinions on Campus
June 7, 2024

Average Student Loan Debt in 2025
August 29, 2025

Tracking College Closures and Mergers
August 13, 2025

Affirmative Action Statistics in College Admissions
July 3, 2023

College Enrollment Trends and Statistics: 2024-2025
August 1, 2025

College Mental Health Statistics
February 15, 2023

Cost of College Over Time
February 25, 2025

All Research

Half of College Students Would Have Used AI on Admissions Essay: Survey

by Lyss Welding
Updated October 26, 2023

Half of College Students Say Using AI on Schoolwork Is Cheating or Plagiarism

by Lyss Welding
Updated March 17, 2023

Most College Students Say Using AI Tools on Job Applications Gives an Unfair Advantage

by Lyss Welding
Updated November 16, 2023

Just 18% of College Students Rank ROI as a Top Factor in College Choice

by Meg Embry
Updated November 2, 2023

Less Than One-Third of Students Think Legacy Admissions Should Be Allowed: Survey

by Jane Nam
Updated October 30, 2023
Our Editorial Policy and Standards
Accuracy and editorial integrity are just a few of the values we at BestColleges pledge to uphold for the students who rely on us. We are committed to providing students with the educational resources they need to achieve their goals.
