2023 Religious Studies Students

STUDENTS

College is a profoundly poignant period of one's life; it's a chance for personal growth and development. Scholars try to capture their values and develop many of the essential skills to become a thriving adult. But learning is more than what one learns in a classroom - the late nights discussing Sartre with a classmate, the personal lesson gained from an eccentric professor, the exposure to a different vantage point. As such, a diverse student population tremendously enhances what one gains from the time at college.

Religious Studies is a less ethnically diverse focus than average*. 70% of the United States' Religious Studies majors are white students, followed by black students (9%), latino students (8%), and students of other races**(8%). The most ethnically diverse college* in the top 100 is Andrews University located in Berrien Springs, MI.

Second, Religious Studies slightly skews male, with 44% of majors identifying as men. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is San Diego State University in San Diego, CA.

Another critical type of diversity is wealth diversity. Sadly, Religious Studies is less economically diverse than 72% of majors in the nation. 33% of its students come from homes making more than $110,000 per year, 16% are from households earning between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 22% grew up in low income households. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the most financially diverse college in the top 100.

Considering each type of diversity, overall MI is the most diverse state for Religious Studies. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the is the most diverse conference.

* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on Simpson's Diversity Index
** other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

Diversity Statistics

Racial Diversity

• Asian: 4%

• Black: 9%

• Latino: 8%

• White: 70%

• Other: 8%

  Gender Diversity

• Male: 56%

• Female: 44%

  Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

• Under 30k: 22%

• 30k - 48k: 14%

• 48k - 75k: 16%

• 75k - 110k: 16%

• Over 110k: 33%

  Geographic Diversity

• In State: 60%

• Out of State: 34%

• International: 6%