Belief in God among college graduates
% of college graduates who say they…
Survey year | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 57% | 19% | 6% | < 1% | 14% | 3% | 8,798 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Belief in God among college graduates by religious group
% of college graduates who say they…
Religious tradition | Believe in God; absolutely certain | Believe in God; fairly certain | Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | Believe in God; don't know | Do not believe in God | Other/don't know if they believe in God | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Catholic | 65% | 27% | 4% | < 1% | 2% | 1% | 1,788 |
Evangelical Protestant | 90% | 9% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 1,870 |
Historically Black Protestant | 90% | 7% | 1% | 1% | < 1% | < 1% | 289 |
Jewish | 30% | 31% | 14% | 1% | 22% | 3% | 294 |
Mainline Protestant | 63% | 27% | 6% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1,673 |
Mormon | 88% | 8% | 2% | < 1% | 1% | 1% | 212 |
Unaffiliated (religious "nones") | 17% | 19% | 12% | < 1% | 44% | 8% | 2,071 |
Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God
Switch Display To: religious group among college graduates by belief in God
Demographic✭Information
Age distribution among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are ages…
Belief in God | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-64 | 65+ | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 41% | 29% | 15% | 4,959 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 40% | 27% | 15% | 1,687 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 36% | 23% | 10% | 515 |
Do not believe in God | 33% | 39% | 17% | 11% | 1,149 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 19% | 40% | 25% | 16% | 252 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by age group
Generational cohort among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Younger Millennial | Older Millennial | Generation X | Baby Boomer | Silent | Greatest | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 6% | 16% | 34% | 34% | 10% | 1% | 4,959 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 8% | 19% | 31% | 33% | 8% | 1% | 1,687 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 12% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 6% | 1% | 515 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 29% | 28% | 21% | 6% | 1% | 1,149 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 9% | 19% | 32% | 29% | 9% | 3% | 252 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by generational group
Gender composition among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Men | Women | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 42% | 58% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 50% | 50% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 59% | 41% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 62% | 38% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 57% | 43% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by gender
Racial and ethnic composition among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who identify as…
Belief in God | White | Black | Asian | Latino | Other/Mixed | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 71% | 11% | 5% | 9% | 3% | 4,998 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 77% | 4% | 8% | 8% | 3% | 1,704 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 80% | 2% | 9% | 6% | 2% | 514 |
Do not believe in God | 80% | 2% | 8% | 7% | 3% | 1,149 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 85% | 3% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 252 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by race/ethnicity
Immigrant status among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Immigrants | Second generation | Third generation or higher | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 13% | 9% | 78% | 5,054 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 14% | 12% | 74% | 1,710 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 15% | 13% | 72% | 516 |
Do not believe in God | 13% | 13% | 73% | 1,158 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 7% | 79% | 260 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by immigrant status
Income distribution among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who have a household income of…
Belief in God | Less than $30,000 | $30,000-$49,999 | $50,000-$99,999 | $100,000 or more | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 15% | 18% | 36% | 31% | 4,450 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 13% | 14% | 35% | 38% | 1,529 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 14% | 18% | 32% | 36% | 475 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 17% | 33% | 35% | 1,092 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 19% | 38% | 37% | 224 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by household income
Marital status among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Married | Living with a partner | Divorced/separated | Widowed | Never married | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 64% | 4% | 11% | 4% | 17% | 5,052 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 61% | 7% | 9% | 3% | 21% | 1,718 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 49% | 12% | 7% | 3% | 28% | 518 |
Do not believe in God | 43% | 15% | 7% | 2% | 33% | 1,159 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 54% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 25% | 256 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by marital status
Parent of children under 18 among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Parents | Non-parents | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 36% | 64% | 5,068 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 31% | 69% | 1,715 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 25% | 75% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 21% | 79% | 1,160 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 28% | 72% | 266 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by parental status
Beliefs✭and✭Practices
Importance of religion in one's life among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say religion is…
Belief in God | Very important | Somewhat important | Not too important | Not at all important | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 21% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 19% | 49% | 23% | 8% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 4% | 29% | 45% | 22% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 8% | 24% | 65% | 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 19% | 36% | 35% | 4% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by importance of religion
Attendance at religious services among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who attend religious services…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month/a few times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 56% | 32% | 12% | < 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 18% | 47% | 35% | < 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 5% | 37% | 58% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 19% | 78% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 26% | 65% | 4% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by religious attendance
Frequency of prayer among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who pray…
Belief in God | At least daily | Weekly | Monthly | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 76% | 15% | 3% | 5% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 28% | 27% | 12% | 32% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 13% | 11% | 8% | 68% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 2% | 3% | 93% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 8% | 6% | 4% | 77% | 6% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by frequency of prayer
Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who attend prayer group…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 36% | 10% | 11% | 42% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 7% | 6% | 9% | 77% | < 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 1% | 1% | 3% | 95% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 2% | 2% | 95% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 4% | 2% | 5% | 84% | 5% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by attendance at prayer groups
Frequency of meditation among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who meditate…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 8% | 5% | 37% | 2% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 30% | 12% | 7% | 50% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 24% | 11% | 7% | 57% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 19% | 9% | 7% | 65% | 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 26% | 7% | 6% | 56% | 5% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by frequency of meditation
Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 73% | 14% | 7% | 5% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 22% | 18% | 18% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 31% | 19% | 15% | 34% | 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 34% | 18% | 12% | 33% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 41% | 17% | 11% | 25% | 7% | 267 |
Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 49% | 17% | 13% | 20% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 41% | 20% | 18% | 21% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 48% | 18% | 18% | 16% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 49% | 19% | 16% | 16% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 48% | 15% | 16% | 17% | 4% | 267 |
Sources of guidance on right and wrong among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong
Belief in God | Religion | Philosophy/reason | Common sense | Science | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 48% | 10% | 34% | 5% | 3% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 11% | 18% | 53% | 15% | 2% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 2% | 23% | 52% | 20% | 2% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 1% | 22% | 47% | 28% | 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 2% | 21% | 47% | 23% | 7% | 267 |
Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say…
Belief in God | There are clear standards for what is right and wrong | Right or wrong depends on the situation | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 52% | 1% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 25% | 73% | 1% | < 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 16% | 81% | 1% | 2% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 15% | 84% | 1% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 84% | 1% | 1% | 267 |
Frequency of reading scripture among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who read scripture…
Belief in God | At least once a week | Once or twice a month | Several times a year | Seldom/never | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 50% | 11% | 9% | 29% | 1% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 10% | 9% | 9% | 71% | < 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 2% | 2% | 7% | 88% | < 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 4% | 5% | 88% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 6% | 5% | 5% | 80% | 4% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by frequency of reading scripture
Interpreting scripture among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say the holy scripture is…
Belief in God | Word of God; should be taken literally | Word of God; not everything taken literally | Word of God; other/don't know | Not the word of God | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 32% | 40% | 4% | 18% | 7% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 5% | 26% | 1% | 61% | 8% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 1% | 5% | < 1% | 89% | 5% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | < 1% | 1% | < 1% | 96% | 3% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 1% | 2% | 1% | 83% | 13% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by interpretation of scripture
Belief in Heaven among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who …in heaven
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 84% | 9% | 7% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 61% | 28% | 11% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 29% | 60% | 12% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 3% | 95% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 14% | 54% | 32% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by belief in heaven
Belief in Hell among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who …in hell
Belief in God | Believe | Don't believe | Other/don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 69% | 23% | 9% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 37% | 53% | 9% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 18% | 74% | 8% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 2% | 96% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 7% | 67% | 27% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by belief in hell
Social✭and✭Political✭Views
Party affiliation among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who identify as…
Belief in God | Republican/lean Rep. | No lean | Democrat/lean Dem. | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 13% | 34% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 35% | 11% | 54% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 13% | 67% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 10% | 75% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 22% | 24% | 53% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by political party
Political ideology among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who are…
Belief in God | Conservative | Moderate | Liberal | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 47% | 33% | 16% | 3% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 22% | 43% | 33% | 3% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 11% | 40% | 46% | 3% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 9% | 31% | 58% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 13% | 40% | 39% | 8% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by political ideology
Views about size of government among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who would rather have…
Belief in God | Smaller government; fewer services | Bigger government; more services | Depends | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 65% | 30% | 3% | 3% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 54% | 40% | 2% | 4% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 45% | 46% | 6% | 4% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 36% | 57% | 3% | 4% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 52% | 33% | 8% | 6% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by views about size of government
Views about government aid to the poor among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say government aid to the poor…
Belief in God | Does more harm than good | Does more good than harm | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 53% | 41% | 4% | 2% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 42% | 53% | 3% | 2% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 26% | 67% | 4% | 2% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 23% | 74% | 2% | 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 31% | 58% | 7% | 4% | 267 |
Views about abortion among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say abortion should be…
Belief in God | Legal in all/most cases | Illegal in all/most cases | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 51% | 4% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 74% | 23% | 3% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 87% | 12% | 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 91% | 7% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 87% | 8% | 6% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by views about abortion
Views about homosexuality among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say homosexuality…
Belief in God | Should be accepted | Should be discouraged | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 54% | 38% | 5% | 3% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 84% | 12% | 3% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 93% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 96% | 3% | 1% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 85% | 7% | 5% | 3% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by views about homosexuality
Views about same-sex marriage among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who …same-sex marriage
Belief in God | Strongly favor/favor | Oppose/strongly oppose | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 46% | 47% | 6% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 78% | 16% | 5% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 92% | 5% | 2% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 95% | 4% | 2% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 85% | 7% | 8% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by views about same-sex marriage
Views about environmental regulation among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say…
Belief in God | Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy | Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost | Neither/both equally | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 41% | 54% | 3% | 3% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 26% | 71% | 2% | 1% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 19% | 78% | 2% | 2% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 14% | 84% | 2% | 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 23% | 68% | 6% | 4% | 267 |
Views about human evolution among college graduates by belief in God
% of college graduates who say humans…
Belief in God | Evolved; due to natural processes | Evolved; due to God's design | Evolved; don't know how | Always existed in present form | Don't know | Sample size |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Believe in God; absolutely certain | 19% | 33% | 4% | 40% | 4% | 5,083 |
Believe in God; fairly certain | 58% | 24% | 5% | 11% | 2% | 1,722 |
Believe in God; not too/not at all certain | 78% | 10% | 6% | 6% | 1% | 519 |
Do not believe in God | 93% | 2% | 1% | 4% | < 1% | 1,164 |
Other/don't know if they believe in God | 77% | 5% | 10% | 3% | 5% | 267 |
Switch Display To: belief in God among college graduates by views about human evolution