Americans say university presidents have the most sway over state university policy
Core finding
Asked who most shapes public-university policy in their state, Americans point to university presidents ahead of anyone else, with 28% naming them the biggest influence, according to a Verasight survey conducted Sept. 22 to 29, 2025.
The university Board of Regents follows at 24%, ahead of the U.S. president (15%), the state governor (13%) and other actors (11%). State legislators (5%) and Congress (4%) rank lowest.
Topline distribution
Americans say university presidents have the most sway over state university policy.
Thinking of public universities in your state, which actor do you feel has had the biggest influence on university policies?
n = 1,000 · Sep 22–29, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 22–29, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2025-119 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025
Thinking of public universities in your state, which actor do you feel has had the biggest influence on university policies?
Cite this question
Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2025-119, fielded September 22-29, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.