Fifty-six percent (56%) of American adults say that every American should receive further education after high school by attending either a college or vocational school. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 30% disagree and 13% are not sure.

Fifty-four percent (54%) believe that it’s already possible for just about any good student to find a way to attend college, while 31% disagree. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans hold this view along with 47% of Democrats and 52% of those not affiliated with either major party. While upper income Americans are more confident in the ability of any good student to attend college, a plurality of those earning less than $20,000 a year share that view as well.

Forty-one percent (41%) believe it is more important for the government to provide assistance for low-income students than to help the best and the brightest. However, 30% hold the opposite view and 29% are not sure.

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Most of those who earn less than $60,000 a year say the government should focus most on low-income students. Most of those who earn more than $75,000 a year say the government should help the best and the brightest.

There is a partisan difference as well. By a 3-to-1 margin, Democrats say it’s more important for the government to aid low-income students. A narrow plurality of Republicans hold the opposite view while unaffiliateds are evenly divided.

Providing every child with a college education is one of four major priorities outlined by President Obama in a joint address to Congress earlier this year. Of the four priorities, deficit reduction is considered most important and health care number two. Health care is considered the top priority by Democrats.

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