The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education randomly surveyed 1,001 Americans, held focus groups at five locations and queried corporate, media and legislative leaders.

Their study, which will be released to the public today, also found that while concern about college accessibility is growing, the public is not yet demanding major changes to the system.

"There is no powerful call for change now, but the study also suggests some warning signs for higher education leadership," the report states. "People are more critical of colleges and universities than in the past, but so far, the public thinks about higher education primarily from the perspective of the benefits it provides the individual consumer."

The report found that people believe higher-education costs are rising more rapidly than health-care costs, and 76 percent of parents worry about paying for school. Eighty-four percent, however, say they will find a way to pay.

Utah Higher Education Commissioner Richard Kendell understands parents' concerns, but points to financial resources such as the Utah Educational Savings Plan, government grants and school scholarships.

"College financial aid officers have all of this information," he said.

"It's worth taking a lunch hour and visiting a college's financial aid office in person."

The national report shows many parents are optimistic they'll find sources of financing such as those Kendell cites, but it also suggests ethnic minority parents, even those with high incomes, are disproportionately worried about their children obtaining a college education. Students of color share that concern.

"Minority young adults were far more likely than young whites to doubt whether any qualified student can find the financial aid needed to go to college," according to the report. "They were also more likely to report that they were not able to attend their first college of choice because of cost."

Community leaders, legislators and media members recommended more efficient use of facilities to help decrease costs.

Colleges could offer more night or weekend classes, for example.

Officials also called for more accountability, greater productivity and improved efficiency, but acknowledged those running the system may need an attitude adjustment.

"Nearly all [leaders] believed that major changes lie ahead. Many stressed the sluggishness and unresponsiveness of colleges and universities to any serious reform efforts," the report said.

However, Kendell sees changes on the business side of higher education, ranging from offering incentives for afternoon and summer classes to regulating water and power usage and reducing health-care and post-retirement benefits.

"Will this change happen suddenly or slowly? It will be somewhere in the middle," he said. "We are making some good gains, but we're not going to get everything done in one year."

---

* SHEENA MCFARLAND can be contacted at smcfarland @sltrib.com or 801-257-8619.

* Higher education is a necessity.

* Institutions of higher learning are satisfactorily educating students.

* Rising costs make higher education less accessible.

* The opportunity to attend college is being threatened.

* Financial aid and ability to attend college part time reduce urgency for reform.

* Parents worry about paying for college, but are optimistic they'll find a way.

* Ethnic minority parents, regardless of income, are disproportionately worried about lack of opportunity for qualified students.