Why Are Colleges and Universities So Important?
Everywhere You Look, Public and Private Investment in Higher Education Changes Lives
Higher education isn’t just about classrooms and assignments. It’s about finding cures, research that leads to better policies, local jobs, and building community.
In rural towns and urban centers, community colleges and four-year institutions are more than places to learn. Higher education institutions also routinely act as:
Innovations catalysts, contributing to advances in agriculture, business, policy, and industry
Healthcare hubs, with providers that keep local residents healthy
Job training centers, preparing people for local industries
Policy analysts, helping government at all levels
Cultural anchors that host sports, arts, literary and community gatherings
When these institutions are weakened, whole communities can lose a lifeline.
A Baby’s Second Chance
In 2025, a newborn was cured of a deadly genetic disorder through personalized gene-editing. The breakthrough was decades in the making, and only possible because federally funded university labs had the freedom to explore bold, untested ideas.
Everyday Innovations Stemming from Higher Ed Research
GPS Navigation
Popular navigation systems found in our phones and cars originated from publicly-funded research, with university projects dating back to the 1950s.
The Internet
Decades of government-university collaboration turned an experiment in computer networking into a global necessity, connecting people and business around the world.
The Human Genome Project
A $3.8B public investment in university research mapped human DNA, fueling $798B in economic output and breakthroughs in disease treatment.
Why Higher Ed Matters Now
The research, teaching, and community services that make higher ed so valuable are under growing political attack. Cuts to funding and interference in decision-making don’t just hurt campuses. They hurt patients, small business owners, families, and entire communities.
Your Role
The future of American innovation, health, and opportunity depends on keeping higher education strong, independent, and supported.
Stand with us to protect it.