Educational distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by religious group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have completed…

Religious traditionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Catholic52%23%16%9%1,842
Evangelical Protestant47%35%13%6%823
Historically Black Protestant61%27%7%5%173
Jewish17%19%32%32%231
Mainline Protestant32%30%21%17%1,544
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")40%35%15%9%1,609
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: High school or less, Some college, College, Post-graduate degree

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are ages…

Educational distribution18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
High school or less26%34%24%16%2,021
Some college32%33%23%12%1,683
College18%40%27%15%1,687
Post-graduate degree9%44%28%18%1,264
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
High school or less18%14%28%28%11%1%2,021
Some college20%19%26%28%7%1%1,683
College8%19%31%33%8%1%1,687
Post-graduate degree1%17%35%35%10%1%1,264
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionMenWomenSample size
High school or less55%45%2,044
Some college50%50%1,701
College50%50%1,722
Post-graduate degree50%50%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Educational distributionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
High school or less54%8%2%33%3%2,031
Some college72%7%3%13%4%1,686
College77%4%8%8%3%1,704
Post-graduate degree78%4%11%5%3%1,279
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
High school or less29%9%62%2,007
Some college11%11%78%1,684
College14%12%74%1,710
Post-graduate degree17%11%72%1,280
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who have a household income of…

Educational distributionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
High school or less53%23%17%7%1,770
Some college30%23%31%16%1,511
College13%14%35%38%1,529
Post-graduate degree10%9%29%53%1,160
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
High school or less39%12%13%7%29%2,034
Some college43%10%13%4%30%1,695
College61%7%9%3%21%1,718
Post-graduate degree64%8%10%4%14%1,290
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionParentsNon-parentsSample size
High school or less30%70%2,038
Some college29%71%1,700
College31%69%1,715
Post-graduate degree32%68%1,291
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

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say religion is…

Educational distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
High school or less36%43%16%5%< 1%2,044
Some college21%49%21%8%1%1,701
College19%49%23%8%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree23%46%22%9%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend religious services…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less24%39%37%< 1%2,044
Some college14%44%41%< 1%1,701
College18%47%35%< 1%1,722
Post-graduate degree20%47%32%< 1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who pray…

Educational distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less39%23%11%26%1%2,044
Some college32%24%13%30%< 1%1,701
College28%27%12%32%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree30%29%13%27%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who attend prayer group…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less15%9%8%67%1%2,044
Some college8%7%7%78%< 1%1,701
College7%6%9%77%< 1%1,722
Post-graduate degree7%8%8%77%< 1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who meditate…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less31%11%5%51%2%2,044
Some college29%12%5%53%1%1,701
College30%12%7%50%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree33%12%8%47%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less43%17%13%25%2%2,044
Some college43%21%14%21%1%1,701
College42%22%18%18%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree43%22%19%15%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less40%14%16%28%2%2,044
Some college43%19%15%22%1%1,701
College41%20%18%21%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree43%19%21%17%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Educational distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
High school or less21%10%56%11%2%2,044
Some college11%14%63%10%2%1,701
College11%18%53%15%2%1,722
Post-graduate degree9%21%52%16%2%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Educational distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less25%72%1%2%2,044
Some college24%74%1%< 1%1,701
College25%73%1%< 1%1,722
Post-graduate degree23%75%2%< 1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who read scripture…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less20%10%9%59%1%2,044
Some college13%10%11%66%< 1%1,701
College10%9%9%71%< 1%1,722
Post-graduate degree10%9%12%68%< 1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say the holy scripture is…

Educational distributionWord 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
High school or less26%29%2%35%7%2,044
Some college9%29%1%52%10%1,701
College5%26%1%61%8%1,722
Post-graduate degree4%23%1%63%10%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in heaven

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less78%14%8%2,044
Some college70%22%8%1,701
College61%28%11%1,722
Post-graduate degree56%35%10%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …in hell

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less60%31%9%2,044
Some college49%42%8%1,701
College37%53%9%1,722
Post-graduate degree28%60%12%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who identify as…

Educational distributionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
High school or less31%26%43%2,044
Some college35%18%47%1,701
College35%11%54%1,722
Post-graduate degree29%10%61%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who are…

Educational distributionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
High school or less32%34%27%8%2,044
Some college26%41%28%5%1,701
College22%43%33%3%1,722
Post-graduate degree15%45%38%2%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who would rather have…

Educational distributionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
High school or less40%54%2%3%2,044
Some college54%38%3%4%1,701
College54%40%2%4%1,722
Post-graduate degree51%44%3%2%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say government aid to the poor…

Educational distributionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less44%51%3%2%2,044
Some college45%50%3%2%1,701
College42%53%3%2%1,722
Post-graduate degree32%63%4%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say abortion should be…

Educational distributionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
High school or less54%42%4%2,044
Some college69%27%4%1,701
College74%23%3%1,722
Post-graduate degree76%21%3%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say homosexuality…

Educational distributionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less69%24%3%4%2,044
Some college81%13%3%2%1,701
College84%12%3%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree87%9%3%2%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who …same-sex marriage

Educational distributionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
High school or less58%33%10%2,044
Some college74%20%6%1,701
College78%16%5%1,722
Post-graduate degree81%14%6%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say…

Educational distributionStricter 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
High school or less41%53%2%4%2,044
Some college33%63%2%2%1,701
College26%71%2%1%1,722
Post-graduate degree22%75%2%1%1,293
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 adults who believe in God and are fairly certain by educational group

% of adults who believe in God and are fairly certain who say humans…

Educational distributionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
High school or less38%24%4%29%5%2,044
Some college45%29%6%18%3%1,701
College58%24%5%11%2%1,722
Post-graduate degree62%23%8%6%1%1,293
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.