As American higher education grapples with questions about its value and mission, a new study suggests Catholic colleges are succeeding where many institutions struggle: forming graduates who thrive not just professionally, but personally and spiritually.
Dr. Jason King
The findings challenge common assumptions about faith-based education. Catholic college graduates were not only more likely to view their careers as meaningful callings, they also demonstrated stronger financial outcomes, with 62% living in households earning $100,000 or more, compared to 52% of secular college graduates.
Perhaps most striking in an era of widespread student mental health concerns, Catholic college graduates reported significantly better outcomes in areas many campuses find challenging. They were 14% more likely to report a strong sense of belonging and 17% more likely to express satisfaction with their mental health.
"Catholic institutions appear to be doing this in ways that leave a lasting mark on graduates' sense of well-being and connection," said Dr. Jason King, Beirne Director and Chair of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary's University.
The study also revealed that Catholic college graduates were 20% more likely to have volunteered in the past six months and 22% more likely to consider morality "extremely relevant" in their decision-making—patterns that have held steady or strengthened since the study's first year.
In a particularly relevant finding for today's polarized climate, Catholic college graduates were 12% more likely to say their courses encouraged dialogue across differing perspectives. This contradicts stereotypes about religious education fostering insularity.
