# Americans say university presidents have the most sway over state university policy

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/americans-say-university-presidents-have-the-most-sway-over-state-university-policy/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

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

Thinking of public universities in your state, which actor do you feel has had the biggest influence on university policies?

Americans say university presidents have the most sway over state university policy.

- University presidents: 28.5%
- University Board of Regents: 23.8%
- President of the USA: 15.3%
- State governor: 12.8%
- Other: 11.1%
- State legislator: 4.8%
- Congress: 3.8%

## 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: 2025-09-22 → 2025-09-29
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025#influential-actors-in-public-university-policies](https://reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025#influential-actors-in-public-university-policies)

## Citation

Verasight APSA Omnibus Survey #2025-119, fielded September 22-29, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025#influential-actors-in-public-university-policies](https://reports.verasight.io/r/apsa-2025#influential-actors-in-public-university-policies)