Importance of religion in one's life among college graduates

% of college graduates who say religion is…

Survey yearVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
201447%25%14%14%1%8,798
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Importance of religion in one's life among college graduates by religious group

% of college graduates who say religion is…

Religious traditionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Catholic53%35%10%2%< 1%1,788
Evangelical Protestant80%17%2%< 1%1%1,870
Historically Black Protestant85%12%3%< 1%< 1%289
Jewish29%39%21%11%< 1%294
Mainline Protestant50%35%11%4%< 1%1,673
Mormon90%9%1%< 1%< 1%212
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")7%16%28%47%1%2,071
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are ages…

Importance of religion in one's life18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Very important14%39%30%17%4,120
Somewhat important21%42%25%12%2,097
Not too important27%39%22%12%1,122
Not at all important25%42%21%11%1,199
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Very important5%15%32%35%11%1%4,120
Somewhat important9%22%32%30%7%1%2,097
Not too important11%24%31%26%7%1%1,122
Not at all important12%25%31%25%7%< 1%1,199
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMenWomenSample size
Very important42%58%4,238
Somewhat important48%52%2,142
Not too important56%44%1,138
Not at all important57%43%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Very important70%12%5%9%3%4,167
Somewhat important76%5%8%9%3%2,115
Not too important78%3%10%6%3%1,124
Not at all important82%4%4%7%3%1,193
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Very important13%9%78%4,212
Somewhat important13%12%75%2,132
Not too important14%12%74%1,125
Not at all important12%13%75%1,208
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who have a household income of…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Very important16%18%36%30%3,681
Somewhat important12%18%35%35%1,912
Not too important12%18%32%38%1,031
Not at all important12%16%37%35%1,128
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Very important66%3%11%5%15%4,212
Somewhat important58%8%9%3%23%2,134
Not too important53%9%7%2%28%1,129
Not at all important44%14%10%3%29%1,208
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeParentsNon-parentsSample size
Very important37%63%4,221
Somewhat important32%68%2,137
Not too important26%74%1,136
Not at all important23%77%1,210
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say they…

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Very important90%8%1%< 1%1%< 1%4,238
Somewhat important47%38%7%< 1%4%2%2,142
Not too important15%33%21%< 1%24%8%1,138
Not at all important9%11%10%1%63%7%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who attend religious services…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important68%26%6%< 1%4,238
Somewhat important15%59%26%< 1%2,142
Not too important2%36%62%< 1%1,138
Not at all important1%10%88%< 1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who pray…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important84%12%1%2%1%4,238
Somewhat important36%29%13%21%1%2,142
Not too important10%11%8%70%< 1%1,138
Not at all important6%3%2%88%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who attend prayer group…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important44%12%12%31%1%4,238
Somewhat important6%6%10%77%< 1%2,142
Not too important1%1%2%96%< 1%1,138
Not at all important1%1%1%96%< 1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who meditate…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important53%7%4%34%2%4,238
Somewhat important30%12%8%49%1%2,142
Not too important23%10%7%59%1%1,138
Not at all important24%8%5%63%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important79%12%5%3%1%4,238
Somewhat important43%24%17%15%1%2,142
Not too important34%20%17%27%2%1,138
Not at all important38%16%10%33%3%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important52%16%12%18%2%4,238
Somewhat important39%20%16%24%1%2,142
Not too important42%21%19%18%1%1,138
Not at all important50%15%16%18%< 1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Importance of religion in one's lifeReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Very important58%8%26%5%4%4,238
Somewhat important11%18%58%11%2%2,142
Not too important3%21%54%20%2%1,138
Not at all important1%20%49%28%2%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important50%48%2%1%4,238
Somewhat important27%71%1%1%2,142
Not too important18%81%1%< 1%1,138
Not at all important15%83%1%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who read scripture…

Importance of religion in one's lifeAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Very important60%12%8%19%1%4,238
Somewhat important11%10%13%66%< 1%2,142
Not too important3%3%6%88%< 1%1,138
Not at all important2%3%3%92%< 1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say the holy scripture is…

Importance of religion in one's lifeWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Very important37%40%4%12%7%4,238
Somewhat important6%33%1%51%9%2,142
Not too important1%9%< 1%83%7%1,138
Not at all important1%2%< 1%94%3%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who …in heaven

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important85%8%7%4,238
Somewhat important69%23%9%2,142
Not too important32%56%12%1,138
Not at all important9%86%5%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who …in hell

Importance of religion in one's lifeBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Very important71%20%9%4,238
Somewhat important46%45%9%2,142
Not too important20%72%8%1,138
Not at all important6%90%4%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who identify as…

Importance of religion in one's lifeRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Very important55%12%33%4,238
Somewhat important38%13%49%2,142
Not too important25%12%62%1,138
Not at all important16%13%71%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who are…

Importance of religion in one's lifeConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Very important51%31%14%3%4,238
Somewhat important26%42%30%3%2,142
Not too important14%41%42%3%1,138
Not at all important10%30%57%3%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who would rather have…

Importance of religion in one's lifeSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Very important65%30%3%3%4,238
Somewhat important57%37%3%3%2,142
Not too important48%44%3%4%1,138
Not at all important41%52%3%4%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say government aid to the poor…

Importance of religion in one's lifeDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important54%40%4%2%4,238
Somewhat important44%50%4%1%2,142
Not too important33%62%4%2%1,138
Not at all important26%70%3%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say abortion should be…

Importance of religion in one's lifeLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Very important39%57%4%4,238
Somewhat important72%25%2%2,142
Not too important86%12%2%1,138
Not at all important90%7%3%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say homosexuality…

Importance of religion in one's lifeShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important48%43%5%4%4,238
Somewhat important83%12%3%2%2,142
Not too important92%6%1%1%1,138
Not at all important94%4%1%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who …same-sex marriage

Importance of religion in one's lifeStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Very important40%53%7%4,238
Somewhat important76%19%5%2,142
Not too important88%8%4%1,138
Not at all important93%5%2%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say…

Importance of religion in one's lifeStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Very important42%53%3%3%4,238
Somewhat important29%67%2%2%2,142
Not too important22%75%2%2%1,138
Not at all important16%81%2%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among college graduates by importance of religion

% of college graduates who say humans…

Importance of religion in one's lifeEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Very important15%32%4%45%5%4,238
Somewhat important48%30%6%14%2%2,142
Not too important78%11%5%5%2%1,138
Not at all important88%5%2%5%1%1,213
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.