Study Reveals Positive Impact of Adventist Post-Secondary Education

A recently-released study by researchers at Andrews University identifies numerous areas in which alumni of Adventist post-secondary institutions report a more positive experience than Adventist alumni of non-Adventist colleges and universities.  Titled, A Study of the College Experiences of Alumni of Adventist Colleges/Universities and Adventist Graduates of Public Colleges/Universities in North America, the study used data from surveys of thousands of Adventist alumni.

Researchers asked respondents to evaluate their college experience in 11 basic areas:

• Career Preparation
• Social and Community Values
• Purpose, Philosophy and Values
• Classroom Interactions
• Professor Interactions
• Friends and Relationships
• Professional and Personal Development
• Involvement in Extra-Curricular Activities
• Spiritual Experiences
• Overall Satisfaction with Life
• Overall College Experience

As expected, alumni of Adventist colleges/universities reported far more favorable experiences than alumni of non-Adventist colleges/universities in areas like Spiritual Experiences and Purpose and Philosophy and Values.  For example, students who had attended an Adventist institution were:

• 7 times more likely to experience “a deeper relationship with Jesus” while in college than their Adventist peers who attended public universities.
• 5 times more likely to develop “a stronger commitment to my church,” while in college than their peers who attended public universities.
• 5 times more likely to develop “a meaningful prayer life,” while in college than their peers who attended public universities.

Alumni of Adventist colleges/universities also reported many favorable experiences in all other categories.  Students who had attended an Adventist institution were significantly more likely than their peers who had attended non-Adventist colleges/universities to:

• Experience high quality, teaching oriented faculty.
• Experience "professors who challenged me academically and helped me meet those challenges."
• Feel satisfied with their present marriage or dating relationships.
• To rate their college experience as "good" or "excellent."

For a more comprehensive review of this study's findings please click this link.  Also available is a list of the most statistically significant findings.

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