Public Is Fond of NASA, College Especially Those Who Went to College
NASA continues to be very popular among the public, with four times as many Americans holding a favorable view of the space agency as unfavorable (68% vs. 17%). In contrast with many other departments and agencies of the federal government, Republicans and Democrats generally have the same positive view.
Highly educated Americans have an especially positive view of NASA. Nearly eight-in-ten (78%) of those with a graduate degree view the agency favorably, while just 11% view it unfavorably. Among those with no more than a high school education, 61% have a favorable impression of NASA and 21% view the agency unfavorably. Majorities of independents (70%), Democrats (68%) and Republicans (63%) have favorable opinions of NASA.
Public Is Fond of NASA, College Especially  | Those Who Went to College  | % rating NASA  | Favora ble Unfavora ble No opinion  | TOTAL  | 68  | 17  | 16  | Postgraduate  | 78  | 11  | College graduate  | 71  | 16 13  | Some college  | 71  | 13 16  | High school or less  | 21  | 61  | 18  | Survey conducted Jan. 7-11 2015  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 