Poll: College students prefer socialism to capitalism
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Socialism beats capitalism among U.S. college students, in a new Axios-Generation Lab poll.
- 67% of survey respondents say they hold a positive or neutral association with the word "socialism," compared with 40% with the word "capitalism."
Why it matters: Days before a nationally watched election that could make democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani New York City's next mayor, the survey reveals Gen Z's growing disillusionment with capitalism — fueled by high inflation, surging healthcare and housing costs, and the rising influence of billionaires in politics, tech and media.
- It also highlights college students' left-leaning politics — and sharp partisan divides within their generation.
By the numbers: 34% of surveyed two- and four-year college students say they have a somewhat or very positive view of socialism, compared with 17% who say the same for capitalism.
- Negative views of capitalism outweigh negative views of socialism by an even greater difference: 53% v. 23%. One in three has a neutral view of socialism. One in four has a neutral view of capitalism.
Partisan differences are stark: 47% of Democratic respondents and 31% of independents — but just 5% of Republicans — react positively to socialism.
- 45% of Republicans but just 17% of independents and 7% of Democrats have positive reactions to capitalism.
- Of the overall respondents, 46% identified as Democrats, 14% as Republicans and 40% as independents.
College voters are also surprisingly plugged into headlines about the federal government shutdown — an issue that doesn't typically break through to young people. Eight in 10 respondents say they're concerned about the shutdown, with about half saying they're very concerned.
- Affordability emerged as another transcendent issue: 74% of those surveyed say they're extremely or very concerned about the cost of basic things such as groceries, gas, rent and utilities.
What we're watching: Asked who they'd like to see as their party's next nominee for president if the election were held today, Democrats surveyed say their top pick is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) at 19%, followed by a tie between "not sure" and former Vice President Harris, at 17%.
- Republicans say their top pick is Vice President Vance at 36%, followed by "not sure" at 26%.
77% of respondents say they'll definitely or probably vote in the 2026 midterm elections.
Methodology: This poll was conducted Oct. 22-28 from a representative sample of 1,574 college students at two- or four-year colleges nationwide, including 728 Democrats, 217 Republicans and 629 independents.
- The margin of error is +/- 2.5 percentage points.
