It’s not just political rhetoric anymore—American parents are voicing strong support for a major shift in education funding. A new national survey shows they want the federal government to redirect money from elite universities to skilled trade programs—just as Donald Trump has long urged.

The survey, conducted by Best-Trade-Schools.net, reveals overwhelming support for putting skilled trades on equal footing with traditional four-year colleges. And it’s not going unnoticed: the findings were recently featured on Morningstar, a sign that the financial world is paying attention to what working families have known all along—the current system isn’t working.

Parents Want Real Returns on Education

In a nationwide poll of 288 parents with high school or college-age kids, more than 85% said they believe skilled trades should receive equal or greater public funding than colleges like Harvard.

This sentiment cuts across income levels and political lines. Parents are united in one thing: they want educational options that don’t saddle their kids with debt and do lead to solid, well-paying jobs—especially in fields like HVAC, plumbing, welding, and advanced manufacturing.

“This survey confirms what many in workforce development have known for years: American families want choices,” said Bill Bartlett, Research Manager at Best-Trade-Schools.net. “They want educational pathways that are affordable, relevant, and lead to real jobs—and they want public funding to reflect those priorities.”

From Ivy League Endowments to Workforce Demand

With student debt topping $1.7 trillion, families are pushing back against the old model of funneling students into universities regardless of cost or outcome. While colleges grow bloated with administrative staff and ideological agendas, trade careers are offering students a faster, debt-free track into the workforce.

That’s why the survey’s release caught the attention of Morningstar, which spotlighted the findings as part of a growing national reassessment of education ROI. You can read their coverage here.

A New American Priority

Trump’s consistent calls to defund bloated universities and reinvest in American workers now have broad parental support behind them. The message is clear: stop pouring billions into Harvard and start preparing our kids for jobs that actually exist.

Parents no longer see college as the only path forward—and they’re demanding Washington catch up.

Full survey and breakdown available here:
https://www.best-trade-schools.net/blog/survey-reallocate-federal-funds-to-skilled-trades/