College Campuses Need More Ideological Diversity, Not Less

Conservatives should not avoid higher education due to perceived liberal bias among faculty.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:31am

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The author argues that despite concerns about liberal bias in college faculties, conservatives should not avoid higher education. College is a place where ideas are challenged, and having one's views questioned is a feature, not a bug. The author suggests that adding more politically diverse faculty is a better solution than trying to impose adherence to a particular political agenda through threats of withheld federal funding.

Why it matters

If significant numbers of conservatives decide to avoid mainstream college campuses due to perceived liberal bias, it could have negative consequences for society. Colleges help people grow and become better versions of themselves, regardless of what is taught in the classroom. Avoiding higher education for political reasons could lead to a future where ignorance and sloth are celebrated over knowledge and enterprise.

The details

The author reflects on a conversation with a conservative friend who mentioned liberal bias among college faculty as a reason to steer clear of higher education. The author argues that having one's views challenged is a valuable part of the college experience, and that a faculty member's political views are often irrelevant to the subject matter being taught. The author also notes that students today can fact-check their professors in real-time and are less likely to blindly accept authority figures.

  • The author had this conversation with their conservative friend in recent years.

The players

Blake Fontenay

The author of the opinion piece and USA TODAY's commentary editor.

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What they’re saying

“So what if they are biased? Isn't college supposed to be a place where ideas are challenged?”

— Blake Fontenay, Commentary Editor

“Although journalism is a field where you learn a lot through on-the-job training and lived experiences, the time I spent at the University of Florida was incredibly helpful for me. I learned about where to find sources of information. The ins and outs of media law. The guidelines for making ethical decisions.”

— Blake Fontenay, Commentary Editor

The takeaway

Conservatives should not avoid higher education due to perceived liberal bias among college faculties. Colleges play an important role in helping people grow and become better versions of themselves, and having one's views challenged is a valuable part of the college experience. Adding more politically diverse faculty is a better solution than trying to impose a particular political agenda through threats of withheld federal funding.