A recent survey conducted by Art & Science Group, a consulting firm specializing in higher education, has revealed that over 25% of college applicants are avoiding schools based on the political climate of their respective states.
Influence of Political Landscape
The findings indicate that the political landscape influences applicants from various ideological backgrounds. Liberal students are more likely to steer clear of colleges in states characterized by restrictive abortion laws and permissive gun regulations. Conversely, conservative applicants tend to dismiss schools located in states with progressive LGBTQ laws and lenient approaches to crime.
Impact on Educational Choices
Nanci Tessier, a principal at Art & Science Group, emphasized that the tendency of students to exclude certain states before even considering colleges signals the substantial impact that political issues have on young individuals’ educational choices.
Concerns from Higher Education Leaders
Higher education leaders have expressed concern regarding the potential repercussions of partisan state politics on prospective students, particularly as college enrollments are experiencing a downturn. For example, some prospective applicants to Earlham College in Indiana, where abortion is predominantly illegal, have reported that they would not apply because of the state’s political environment.
Trends in College Considerations
The survey highlights a broader trend, noting that conservative applicants frequently exclude states like New York and California from their college considerations, while liberal students are more inclined to avoid Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Perceptions of State Laws
Further insights from additional studies, including one by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, indicate that both Democratic and Republican students acknowledge the impact of state laws on their college decisions. A significant majority express a preference for attending institutions in states with more permissive abortion laws and stricter gun regulations.
Political Factors in College Selection
The concerns surrounding state politics extend beyond specific policies and reflect a larger unease regarding regional political cultures. Consequently, many prospective college students are now placing greater importance on political factors alongside traditional considerations, such as academic reputation and campus life, when selecting colleges.
Source: USA Today