American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey

The American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey is an annual survey conducted by the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth. The survey assesses student perceptions about viewpoint diversity and campus freedom; human progress and beliefs about the future; and student attitudes toward entrepreneurship, capitalism and socialism, and how college is influencing their views.

American colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping future political, cultural, and business leaders. However, there are growing concerns among the American public regarding the current state and direction of higher education and its influence on society. Recent surveys have begun to identify important challenges on college campuses related to free speech and tolerance of diverse viewpoints. To build on this understanding, we initiated an annual survey to explore how students’ experiences in higher education influence their thoughts about the current and future state of the world and their place in it.

Survey results are divided into three sections. The first section examines student perceptions of viewpoint diversity in the classroom, as well as student attitudes toward regulating speech in the classroom and on campus. The second section examines student perceptions of how their college education is shaping their views on the world, the United States, their futures, and their ability to contribute to society. The third section examines students’ entrepreneurial beliefs and goals, as well as their views on capitalism and socialism and the ways that these views have been shaped by the college experience.

            Click here to download the 2023 survey results.

The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions for the betterment of society. 

About the Author

John Bitzan, Ph.D.
Menard Family Director of the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, North Dakota State University

Media Commentary

'Teaching on Eggshells': Students Report Professors' Offensive Comments | Inside Higher Ed

Majority of college students favor reporting professors for ‘offensive’ opinions: poll | The Hill

The left is losing the battle for the minds of the American electorate | Legal Insurrection

Informers on campusThe Patriot Post

The new founders America needsCommon Sense with Bari Weiss 

Survey: 85 percent of liberal students support reporting professors who say something offensive | The College Fix

Independence Day on track to be a conservative holiday, say expertsThe Washington Times

Most college students unaware of social progress made in US and worldwideThe Hill

Niall Ferguson: I'm helping to start a new college because higher ed is brokenBloomberg Opinion

We can't wait for universities to fix themselves. So we're starting a new one. | Common Sense with Bari Weiss

North Dakota State duo sees on-campus optimism running on emptyThe Washington Times

Professors raise concerns about free speech and 'viewpoint diversity' on college campusesThe College Fix

Survey: Overwhelming majority of liberal students support policing speech on campusDaily Caller

Survey: Students report open campus climate, want to punish those who offendFoundation for Individual Rights in Education

Study: Majority of liberal college students prefer socialism, not proud to be from U.S.Legal Insurrection

Survey: Majority of liberal college students are not proud to be AmericanThe Daily Wire

Majority of liberal college students not proud to be American, favor socialism, NDSU survey findsCampus Reform

Woke universities produce unhirable graduatesThe Washington Times

The Geek in Pictures: Cancel edition | Powerline

85% of liberal students think professors should be reported for offensive commentsReason

NDSU survey reveals the level of political indoctrination happening on college campusesThe Forum of Fargo-Moorhead

The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions for the betterment of society. 

 

The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of North Dakota State University.

 

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