Gallup-Purdue Index gauges college affordability

A study developed at Purdue University gauging the happiness and success of college graduates across the US is spending its second year focused on college affordability. According to the 60,000 college graduates that responded to the Gallup-Purdue Index, the average degree-holder amasses about $35,000 in debt by the time they leave school.

Most survey respondents said they were okay with that. More than three-quarters of graduates this year said they agree or strongly agree their college experience was worth the cost. Still, Gallup’s education polling head Brandon Busteed said the responses were lower than he thought they’d be.

Private, for-profit colleges fare much worse than their non-profit brethren, with only half as many graduates of those institutions saying they strongly agree they paid for a worthwhile diploma.