# Work and education goals often matter as much as romantic relationships

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/work-and-education-goals-often-matter-as-much-as-romantic-relationships/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

Nearly half of Americans put work and education on the same footing as their romantic lives: 47% call these goals equally important as maintaining a romantic relationship, according to a May 2026 Verasight survey of 526 U.S. adults.

Beyond that plurality, more tilt toward work and education than away from it: 28% rate these goals more important than romance (including 12% much more important), versus 25% who rate them less important (including 8% much less).

## Topline

Compared to the goal of having or maintaining a romantic relationship, how important are work or education goals in your life?

Work and education goals often matter as much as romantic relationships.

- Equally important: 47.1%
- Less important: 17.7%
- More important: 15.9%
- Much more important: 11.7%
- Much less important: 7.7%

## 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: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- Base (unweighted): 526
- Margin of error: +/- 4.6%
- Module: identity
- 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/spsp26#q-3.27](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.27)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=526 US adults age 18+, +/- 4.6%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.27](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-3.27)