- Democratic students are almost four times as likely as Republican students to support a universal basic income program (67% vs. 18%).
- Despite Democrats’ broad support for a universal basic income, a majority say universal health care (56%) or stricter environmental laws (20%) should take priority.
- A majority (70%) of students say the income gap between wealthy and poor Americans is wider than other wealthy countries.
Andrew Yang’s presidential campaign has focused on his plan to establish a universal basic income for every American over the age of 18. While college students overall are divided on the issue, two-thirds of Democratic students are on board.
A new survey of 2,000 undergraduates finds that 53% favor a universal basic income plan in which every American over 18 would get $1,000 a month, while 46% oppose such a plan. However, Democratic students are almost four times as likely as Republican students to support a universal basic income program (67% vs. 18%).
There is also a significant gap among students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. White students are less likely than non-white students to favor implementing a federal universal basic income (47% vs. 62%).
Among students who oppose a universal basic income, about 1 in 3 say their opposition is primarily because people should work for their money (34%) or because the program would cost too much (30%). Fewer students say they oppose the plan because people would be irresponsible with the money (8%) or because the rich don’t need extra money each month (6%).
Students’ reasons for opposing a universal basic income also differ along political lines. While half (51%) of Republicans who oppose the plan say people should work for their money, just 12% of Democrats agree. Democrats are more likely to say they oppose the plan because it would cost too much (35%).
2 in 10 Students Would Use a Universal Basic Income to Help Pay for College
If you received $1,000 tomorrow with no strings attached, what would you spend the bulk of it on?
When asked to think about how they would use an extra $1,000, 36% of students say they would put the bulk of it in savings or investments if they received it tomorrow. About 2 in 10 say they would either spend it on tuition and/or student loan payments (22%) or rent (16%). Fewer students say it would go toward transportation (6%) or food (6%).
About one-third (31%) of students say they would be more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who was a strong supporter of universal basic income, while one-third (33%) say they would be less likely to support a candidate who championed a universal basic income. Another 36% say it would not make any difference to their vote.
Democratic students are far less likely than Republican students to say support for a universal basic income would make them less likely to vote for a presidential candidate (17% vs. 75%). An overwhelming majority (84%) of Democrats say they would either be more likely to vote for such a candidate or it would not make any difference.
But even students who support a universal basic income program are not optimistic that it will ever happen in the U.S. Two-thirds (67%) of students who strongly favor the plan say it is not likely that it will go into effect, compared to 83% of students overall who agree.
More Than Half of College Democrats Say Universal Health Care Should Come First
Which broad policy plan, if any, do you think American lawmakers should prioritize?
Elizabeth Warren told Vox in June there’s “so much more that we should do” before focusing on a universal basic income — and a majority of college Democrats agree, despite broad support for the program. A majority of Democrats say implementing universal health care (56%) or stricter environmental laws (20%) should be prioritized over a universal basic income. Just 6% say a universal basic income should be lawmakers’ top priority. This reflects Bernie Sanders’ and Warren’s popularity among college students, as their presidential campaigns prioritize Medicare For All and other ways to strengthen the social safety net.
Nevertheless, a majority (70%) of students say the income gap between wealthy and poor Americans is wider than other wealthy countries, while 23% say it’s about the same and just 7% say it is smaller than other wealthy countries. Democrats are far more likely than Republicans to say the gap is wider in America (83% vs. 47%).
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 2,000 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
