The Power of Christian Higher Education

Researchers also noticed a group of young adults that acted differently than their peers.

The life transition that would normally cause a break with the Christian faith didn’t seem to have the same effect on them.  This group showed signs of overwhelming success: They were more likely to share the religious views of their Christian parents, to keep their orthodox beliefs, and to attend church regularly.

The difference? Attending a Christian college or university.

Students that attended Christian higher education were a group with distinctly positive outcomes. When they moved out of their parents’ homes, they did so to pursue Christian education. They connected with forms of mentorship on campus and found new churches to serve in while they were at school. They persisted in their faith.

In fact, their behaviour was so unique among their peers that the Renegotiating Faith group concluded that they were no longer emerging adults—they had forged  commitments to the Church and their faith that they were not likely to leave behind.

The bottom line is this: Students who studied at Christian institutions after high school  fared better spiritually than those that didn’t. They were more likely to remain connected with Church and faith than any other group from the study.