Study: How gun laws, DEI policies and other factors impact college decisions
Laws, policies, and political affiliations vary significantly across the United States. In a new study, CollegeIQ sought to understand how these differences impact students’ college choices.
CollegeIQ commissioned a survey of high school juniors and seniors actively researching four-year colleges to ask their opinions on how these issues will impact their decision on where to apply to and attend college.
More than 600 geographically and politically diverse students provided their opinions about how local and state politics, abortion laws, LGBTQIA+ friendliness, DEI laws, and campus gun laws will affect their decisions.
While most students declared that these issues would impact their decisions at least somewhat, some issues were much more pronounced than others.
Key Takeaways from the Survey
Most students said all of these issues will have at least some impact on their choice of college.
Campus gun laws were the most significant factor. 63% of students said campus carry gun laws will have a moderate or significant impact on their college choice.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) laws are also on students’ minds. 46% said these laws will have a moderate or significant impact on their college decision. Black students are particularly aware of DEI laws, with one in four saying the laws will significantly impact their decisions. Women were more likely than men to say these laws will have a large impact on their decisions.
State laws and general community acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community are nearly as significant as DEI laws. 44% said this will have a moderate or significant impact on their decision.
Abortion laws are a lesser concern but still important to students, with 35% saying these laws will have a moderate or significant impact on their decision. Women are more likely than men to cite abortion laws as a factor.
General politics are less of a concern to students. Still, one in three said political preferences will have a moderate or significant impact on their decision.
Campus Carry Gun Laws
Many states have laws that dictate how schools, particularly public colleges and universities, must permit or restrict guns on campus. States fall into three buckets:
Require schools to allow guns on campus with limited exceptions
Forbid guns
Leave it up to individual institutions
CollegeIQ’s study shows that campus carry is a significant concern among future college students. 63% said these laws will have a moderate or significant impact on their college choice, and 84% said they will have at least some impact.
The high rate is perhaps not surprising given that this generation of students has grown up with active shooter drills and news of school shootings.
Of the students who said campus carry laws will make a significant impact on their decision, 89% prefer more restrictive gun laws, while 11% prefer more permissive gun laws. Other findings about campus gun laws are:
Black students were the most likely to state that gun laws would have a moderate or significant impact on their decision (70%), with 45% stating it would have a significant impact. However, in all races and ethnicities, at least 59% said these laws would have a moderate or significant impact.
Women are somewhat more concerned about gun laws than men. 69% of women respondents said gun laws would have a moderate or significant impact on their decision; 55% of men said they would.
Students who identify as Democrats were much more likely to state that gun laws are a concern. 74% of Democrats said these laws would have a moderate or significant impact; 51% of Republican students said this.
College administrator takeaways on campus carry gun laws:
The survey shows that students who are most concerned about gun laws prefer more restrictive rules. In states that leave campus carry rules up to the individual schools, administrators should carefully consider the impact of their gun policy on student recruitment. In states that mandate less restrictive gun requirements, colleges could take actions to assuage students’ concerns, such as visible security and mental health programs.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
In recent years, some states have passed laws restricting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities and support on college campuses. This mainly pertains to public schools and those that receive some sort of state funding.
These laws have resulted in some schools eliminating cultural centers and programs that support minority students.
CollegeIQ’s study shows that DEI laws are a significant concern among future college students. 46% said these laws would have a moderate or significant impact on their college choices, and 77% said they would have at least some impact on their decision.
Of the students who said DEI laws would make a significant impact on their decision, 81% prefer states without laws restricting DEI activities, while 19% prefer states with these laws. Other findings about DEI include:
Black students are most concerned with these laws. More than half (53%) of Black students said DEI laws will moderately or significantly impact their decisions. Hispanic students’ opinions were approximately in line with those of white students, with 45% saying they would have a moderate or significant impact.
20% of students who prefer no anti-DEI laws said it would have a significant impact, while only 11% of those who prefer the laws said it would have a significant impact.
Democrat students are likelier to say DEI laws will impact their decisions. 62% said these laws would have a moderate or significant impact on their decision compared to 34% of Republicans. Students who identify as Independent were between Democrats and Republicans on the issue.
College administrator takeaways about DEI laws:
Of those who said DEI laws will have a significant impact on their college choice, nearly four in five said they prefer attending college in a state that doesn’t restrict DEI activities. This is especially pronounced among Black and female students. While colleges have little control over state mandates for DEI, they can potentially do greater outreach to these prospective students and highlight how the community welcomes these students.
LGBTQIA+ Issues
LGBTQIA+ issues have taken center stage for many students, and CollegeIQ’s survey results show that state laws and general community acceptance of LGBTQIA+ students will impact which colleges people attend.
CollegeIQ’s study shows that 44% of students believe this will have a moderate or significant impact on their college choice, and 68% said it will have at least some impact.
Of the students who said LGBTQIA+ issues would have a significant impact on their decision, 72% said they prefer states and localities that are more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ communities, and 28% said they prefer less inclusive environments.
Other findings about LGBTQIA+ friendliness include:
58% of students who prefer the Democratic party said LGBTQIA+ issues will have a moderate or significant impact. In comparison, 39% of students who prefer the Republican party said it will have a moderate or significant impact.
49% of students who said they prefer a more inclusive LGBTQIA+ environment said the issue will moderately or significantly impact their decision, compared to 35% of students who prefer a less inclusive environment.
College administrator takeaways about LGBTQIA+ issues
Nearly three-quarters of students who said LGBTQIA+ factors will significantly impact their decision would like to attend a school with a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ students. Colleges in states and communities that aren’t as welcoming might consider what they can do to assure students about inclusivity in their culture.
Abortion
State laws for abortion have taken renewed focus in the wake of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision.
CollegeIQ’s study shows that 35% of students say abortion laws will have a moderate or significant impact on their choice of college. 63% said it will have at least some impact.
Of the students who said abortion laws will have a significant impact on their decision, 73% said they prefer states with fewer restrictions on abortion while 28% prefer states with more restrictions.
Other findings about abortion and college choice include:
Women said abortion laws will have a bigger impact on their decisions than men. 40% of women said these laws will have a moderate to significant impact on their decision, while just 27% of men said this. 14% of women said it will have a significant impact compared to 5% of men.
38% of students who prefer fewer abortion restrictions said the issue will have a moderate to significant impact on their decision. In comparison, 28% of students who prefer more abortion restrictions stated it will have this level of impact on their decision.
Students who prefer the Democratic party are more likely to cite abortion as a major influence. 51% of these students said it will have a moderate to significant impact on their decision, compared to 29% of those who prefer the Republican party and 34% who identify as independent.
College administrator takeaways about abortion laws
Nearly three-quarters of students who said abortion laws would significantly impact their decision want to attend school in states with less restrictive abortion laws. There is little colleges can do to impact their legislatures on this issue. Colleges might consider how they can activate their student bodies to advocate their position.
Political Views
In addition to individual issues, CollegeIQ asked students how the general political leanings of the states and areas where colleges are located will impact their decisions.
33% of students said this would have a moderate to significant impact on their decision, and 68% said it would have at least some impact.
The survey showed little difference in political party affiliation and the impact this will have. There was also little difference based on race/ethnicity and gender.
Takeaways
Clearly, current high school students are paying close attention to issues that impact college communities.
While colleges may have limited control over their state legislatures and local communities, they might be able to address students’ concerns about these issues by implementing college policies and programs.
Survey Details
CollegeIQ surveyed 630 U.S. high school juniors and seniors who indicated they are actively researching four-year colleges to attend after high school.
Students were geographically diverse, living in 49 states plus the District of Columbia. Students were generally distributed according to the size of the state, with no state accounting for more than 9% of responses.
59% of respondents were female, 40% male, and 1% non-binary/other. Due to the small number of non-binary/other students, breakouts were unavailable for this group.
Students ranged across the political spectrum, with 31% saying they had no political preference, 27% Democrat, 22% Republican, and 20% independent.
About CollegeIQ
CollegeIQ helps students and their parents find the right college for them. CollegeIQ goes beyond ordinary college filters, allowing students to find colleges based on weather, politics, lifestyle, and more.