From Classrooms to Courtrooms: The Impact of Education on American Citizens’ Confidence in the United States Supreme Court

Does an American citizen’s education influence their confidence in the U.S Supreme Court? Existing literature demonstrates that education is related to confidence in the Supreme Court, however, the direction of the relationship remains contested. Higher educational attainment may increase confidence by improving citizens’ understanding of the Constitution and the judiciary system. However, education may also lead citizens to critically evaluate the Court’s decisions and institutional behavior. This study examines whether the relationship between educational attainment and confidence in the Supreme Court remains after accounting for race, sex, and political ideology, and if there is a relationship is it positive or negative. Using weighted data from the 2016 General Social Survey, I test the extent to which higher educational attainment is associated with greater confidence in the Supreme Court. Overall, this study examines how education shapes citizens’ evaluations of the Court. Understanding how education shapes that confidence is paramount as the Supreme Court’s legitimacy, and ultimately the rule of law it upholds, rests on the backs of American citizens’ confidence in the institution.