More Liberal in College

A new survey show college students become more liberal from the time the move from freshman to juniors and then move more conservative after graduation. Researchers at UCLA claim it’s not left-leaning professors but other students that cause the drift away from the right.

Do you support legalized abortion?
As freshman: 52% said “yes”. The same group as college juniors: 60% said “yes”.

Do you support "legal marital status" for gay couples?
As freshman: 54% said “yes”. The same group as college juniors: 66% said “yes”.

The research is based on a sample of some 15,000 students who entered 136 colleges in 2004 and a second sample when they became juniors.

Do you support laws prohibiting homosexual relationships?
As freshman: 31% said “yes”. The same group as college juniors: 21% said “yes”.

Would you say that you “never” attend religious services?
As freshman: 19% said “yes”. The same group as college juniors: 37% said “yes”.

Would you call yourself "liberal" or "far left"?
At graduation 24% said “yes”. The same group six years later: 30% said “yes”.

Would you call yourself "conservative" or "far right"?
At graduation 28% said “yes”. The same group six years later: 31% said “yes”.

Source: UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute