For college students, a school’s state politics can matter as much as its academics

Political considerations have become an increasingly influential factor in college selection, with students from across the political spectrum now ruling out schools in states that don't align with their values or where they feel unsafe. Research shows that liberal students avoid conservative states due to concerns about gun violence, abortion access, and transgender rights, while conservative students similarly exclude liberal states, though often without citing specific issues. Recent studies indicate students are willing to pay thousands of dollars more in tuition to attend colleges where they feel politically comfortable, and gun policies now influence enrollment decisions for 81 percent of prospective students.