POLL: Arizona Voters Split on Student Debt Relief — Younger Voters Strongly in Favor

Arizona Voters Split on Student Debt Relief — Younger Voters Strongly in Favor

49–46 Split Hides 38-Point Generation Gap; College Graduates Favor Relief by Wide Margin

PHOENIX (April 17th, 2025) – Arizona voters are nearly evenly split on federal student debt cancellation programs, with 49% supporting targeted debt relief and 46% opposing it, according to a new AZPOP survey from OH Predictive Insights. The close statewide number obscures one of the most dramatic generational divides in contemporary Arizona polling: voters under 35 support debt relief 72% to 22%, while voters over 65 oppose it 61% to 33% — a 38-point gap between the youngest and oldest cohorts.

Arizona has a significant stake in the student debt debate. The state is home to three of the nation's largest universities by enrollment — Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University — and has consistently ranked among the top states for student loan burden, with average undergraduate loan debt for Arizona graduates exceeding $30,000.

The survey tested several specific debt relief scenarios with different levels of support. A targeted program for borrowers who attended fraudulent for-profit schools draws 71% support — the broadest consensus. Income-based debt cancellation for borrowers earning under $40,000 annually receives 61% support. Broad cancellation of up to $20,000 per borrower draws 49% support and 46% opposition — the closest result, reflecting the divisive nature of broad relief. Full cancellation of all student debt receives only 38% support and 57% opposition.

"The framing matters enormously," says OHPI Chief of Research Mike Noble. "Targeted relief for fraud victims or low-income borrowers is widely popular. Broad relief regardless of income or institution draws a very different response."

College graduates — who might be expected to most directly benefit from or relate to debt relief — support it 58% to 37%. Among those who attended college but did not graduate, support is 52% to 43%. Among those who did not attend college, opposition is stronger: 39% support, 55% oppose — reflecting the fairness concern about using public funds to benefit college-educated workers over those who pursued different post-secondary paths.

The generational and educational divides suggest that student debt relief will continue to be a mobilizing issue for younger and more educated voters while potentially depressing enthusiasm among older and non-college-educated Democratic base voters.

Methodology: AZPOP conducted April 12–14, 2025. n=600 Arizona Registered Voters. ±4.0% MOE.