Survey: Faith-based higher education results in more positive life outcomes

College graduates of Catholic institutions report better mental health outcomes, greater career satisfaction and more financial stability than their secular peers.

A new survey from the Center for Catholic Studies (CCS) at St. Mary’s University compared answers from 1,000 Catholic and 1,000 secular university graduates.

“Higher education has been disrupted by political battles and financial pressures,” said CCS Chair Jason King. “[Catholic higher education] continues to form graduates for meaningful lives, community engagement and ethical decision-making. And, because of this focus, it also supports graduates’ mental, financial and social well-being.”

When compared to their secular counterparts, Catholic college graduates were more likely to: 

• Have curriculum that encouraged faith-based discussions (52%); 

• Have had a strong sense of belonging at college (14%); 
• Express satisfaction with their mental health (15%); 
• Say their profession is a meaningful calling (7%); 
• Volunteer in their community (20%);  
• Have a household income of $100,000 or more (10%). 

“When education is oriented toward meaning, service and ethics, graduates are not merely preparing for jobs, they are preparing for life,” King explained. 

“That kind of education explains why Catholic university graduates don’t just do well in life’s practical realities but also thrive in spiritual aspects.” 

Catholic colleges have exploded in popularity, as previously reported by The Lion. 

In 2023, Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, Benedictine College in Kansas, Franciscan University of Steubenville and the University of Mary in North Dakota all welcomed their largest-ever freshman classes. 

However, the benefits identified by CCS aren’t exclusive to Catholic schools or institutions of higher education. 

Previous studies on K-12 Christian schools have reported similarly positive life outcomes. 

In addition to receiving academic rigor and religious values, Christian school graduates are more involved in their communities, more likely to volunteer, have happier outlooks on life, and are more committed to marriage and family.