Republican 2016 U.S. presidential elections nominee Donald Trump is losing the vote of college degree-holders. This may be caused by his vague stance on higher education, as opposed to Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton who is vocal in her support for free college.
Hillary Clinton's primary education focus is on the soaring costs of college. She has suggested free tuition at in-state public colleges and universities for working families that earn up to $125,000.
Moreover, she also plans to implement a three-month moratorium on loan payments for all federal borrowers. With that, students would be able to consolidate their loans or enroll in other plans that can help cut costs.
Trump, on the other hand, has been slammed by Clinton's running mate, Senator Tim Kaine. This was for boasting about his Ivy League education but, at the same time, having "no intention of offering anyone else the same opportunity."
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, a survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that Clinton had a 23-percentage-point lead over Trump among registered voters who have earned at least a college degree. Moreover, data from polls found that Trump may be the first Republican nominee to lose among white, college-educated voters in 60 years.
The publication noted that, while the study did not specify what a "college degree" was, it usually refers to people who have achieved their four-year bachelor's degrees. It does not include those who attended college but did not complete their degree or those who have associate degrees and job-training certificates.
John T. Scott, chairman of the political-science department at the University of California at Davis, noted that separating voters based on their educational attainment is nothing new. It has been a trend for about 20 years or more.
There is a great divide among voters. Clinton's supporters are those who value college education while Trump's supporters rally about not having manufacturing jobs in the nation anymore.
The college degree is becoming a source of divide for voters as well, not only for the 2016 U.S. Elections but economically. This fact is expected to be a deciding factor on who will win the presidential race.
