College Choice and the Impact of Politics
How Politics Impacts Students’ Decisions
Following the 2024 election, Carnegie researchers wanted to continue exploring the ways politics interacts with prospective students’ decision-making. This research surveyed more than 2,000 prospective and current students, and their parents, about the impact of politics at a campus- and state-level on their decisions.
Understanding how politics impacts prospective students and parents in their choices is more important than ever.
In early 2024, Carnegie completed a research study on how politics impact college choice. Following the media attention of the 2024 election in November, our research team wanted to see if students and parents had any significant reactions to the results of the election.
Here are a few of our key findings:
- Nearly one in five students will not attend a school in a state with politics that diverge from their own.
- A majority of respondents said the results of the election did not change their college decision.
- The number one political issue students said was most important to them was the economy.
Download the full report for detailed demographic breakouts, more findings, and strategic recommendations for how schools move forward in today’s political landscape.
Download the report.