Over half still believe American Dream achievable in 2026

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More than half of people still believe that the American Dream is possible for those who want it — but optimism about achieving it greatly differs by demographic.

That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 Americans (1,000 census-representative Hispanics and 1,000 non-Hispanics), which found that 61% of Hispanic respondents believe the American Dream is still achievable today, compared to 55% of non-Hispanic Americans.

Overall, in the study, 58% of all respondents said they still believe in the American Dream in 2026.

And the optimism runs even deeper amongst Hispanic Americans: 56% of Hispanics believe they will personally achieve the American Dream in their lifetime, compared to 51% of non-Hispanics, a gap that holds even as Hispanics report higher debt burdens, more financial stress and less access to financial education. Gen Z (67%) was also notably hopeful, making them the most optimistic generation overall.

The study, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by National Debt Relief for Financial Literacy Month in April, explored how Americans, particularly Hispanic Americans, define financial stability.

It also uncovered what the American Dream looks like in 2026, how debt and access to financial education affect respondents’ ability to achieve it and how these experiences vary for Hispanic Americans compared with the broader population.

Against this backdrop, the study revealed that many Americans continue to view financial stability as a core element of the American Dream. Survey respondents most commonly defined the modern American Dream as owning a home (41%) and being able to afford an unexpected expense without financial strain (35%), along with being debt-free (34%), not having to worry about money day-to-day (32%) and being able to retire at 65 (30%).

Views on how attainable this vision is were mixed, with Hispanic Americans offering a notably more optimistic perspective. While two in five respondents overall (41%) believe the American Dream is less achievable today than it was 20 years ago, Hispanic respondents (38%) were more likely than non-Hispanic respondents (33%) to say it is more attainable today. Gen Z (50%) also believes it’s more possible today, in stark contrast to older groups: millennials (42%), Gen X (27%), baby boomers (19%).

In the findings, being debt-free ranked among the top markers of the American Dream (34%), yet for many Americans, that goal remains out of reach. Seven in 10 Americans (70%) reported having some type of debt, with the five most common types being credit card debt (39%), medical bills (22%), auto loans (21%), personal loans (20%) and mortgages (19%).

Looking closer at credit card debt, people reported having an average of $11,246 owed in this category. And Hispanic respondents (41%) were more likely to carry credit card debt than non-Hispanic respondents (36%).

When asked how debt makes them feel, respondents most often cited feeling overwhelmed (40%), anxious (38%) and stuck (30%). Hispanic Americans (43%) reported feeling more weighed down by debt than non-Hispanic Americans (37%), and Gen X (48%) felt the most overwhelmed of all age groups.

Adding to that financial strain, 50% of Hispanics said they wish they had saved more, compared to 45% of non-Hispanics, and 26% of Hispanics wish they had better understood the impact of taking on debt, versus 21% of non-Hispanics.

Taken together, the findings reveal resilient optimism in the Hispanic population under heavy financial pressure. Per the data, despite carrying more debt, feeling more overwhelmed by it and having had less preparation when taking it on, Hispanic Americans remain more optimistic  about their financial future than their non-Hispanic peers (30% vs. 28%).

“The data tells a story we hear every single day — debt doesn’t just impact your bank account, it shapes how you feel when you wake up in the morning, and that burden is more pronounced among Hispanic Americans,” said Bryce Williamson, senior vice president of client loyalty at National Debt Relief. “Yet even under greater financial strain, Hispanic Americans remain optimistic about their financial future, underscoring the resilience of this community.”

Along with debt, financial education is an important consideration in determining whether the American Dream feels attainable.

The survey revealed that self-teaching was the most common form of financial education overall (32%). However, slightly fewer Hispanic respondents (30%) relied on self-directed learning compared to 34% of non-Hispanics. And in general, far fewer respondents reported receiving more formal education, such as guidance from a credentialed expert (17%) or a college finance course (14%).

Zooming in, nearly a third of respondents (32%) said they’ve never had any financial education whatsoever. And most (78%) said they do not have "a lot of access" to trustworthy, culturally relevant financial guidance. In fact, one in 10 Hispanic Americans said they have “no access at all” to trustworthy, relevant financial guidance.

Yet even in the absence of formal guidance, Hispanic Americans are finding workarounds: 65% of Hispanics report using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, like ChatGPT, for financial advice, compared to 51% of non-Hispanics — a 14-point gap that signals a community actively seeking answers in the absence of trusted, culturally relevant human advisors. Younger generations also reported using AI tools for financial advice more than older generations: Gen Z (79%), millennials (69%), Gen X (48%), baby boomers (30%).

“Without consistent access to formal financial education, many Hispanic Americans are finding their own way, turning to AI tools, leaning on family and pushing forward, but resourcefulness shouldn’t replace access to professional, trustworthy guidance,” added Williamson. “With so many Americans lacking any financial education, Financial Literacy Month is a reminder that trusted information isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially when it comes to getting out of debt, and that’s the support we’re committed to providing at National Debt Relief.”

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.