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Are You There God? It’s Me, a College Student: Religious Beliefs and Higher Education

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Listed:
  • Routon P. Wesley

    (School of Business, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA, USA)

  • Walker Jay K.

    (Economics and Finance, Niagara University, Bisgrove Hall, Room 254J, PO Box 2201, Lewiston, NY 14109, USA)

Abstract

Drawing data from a longitudinal survey of college students from 514 institutions of higher education, we add to the discussion on the education–religion puzzle by providing information on specifically which college students experience the most religiosity change, investigating multiple change measures (conviction strength, service attendance, and religious identity), and estimating which programs of study and collegiate experiences cause the most change. We also provide an analysis of students who seek or initially sought an occupation within the clergy. Among our findings, 56% of students report changes in the strength of their religious convictions during college, while 45% report changes in religious service attendance frequency. Of those who matriculate as religious, about 9% lose their religion by graduation. Of those who matriculate with no religious identity, an impressive 33% graduate with one. Choice of institution, major of study, academic success, and many other collegiate experiences are shown to be determinants of these changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Routon P. Wesley & Walker Jay K., 2015. "Are You There God? It’s Me, a College Student: Religious Beliefs and Higher Education," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 15(4), pages 2111-2137, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejeap:v:15:y:2015:i:4:p:2111-2137:n:20
    DOI: 10.1515/bejeap-2015-0024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eswaran Mukesh, 2011. "Competition and Performance in the Marketplace for Religion: A Theoretical Perspective," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-36, March.
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    3. Jonathan Gruber, 2005. "Religious Market Structure, Religious Participation, and Outcomes: Is Religion Good for You?," NBER Working Papers 11377, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Azzi, Corry & Ehrenberg, Ronald G, 1975. "Household Allocation of Time and Church Attendance," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 83(1), pages 27-56, February.
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