Religious Affiliation and College Student Development: A Literature Review and Synthesis

Abstract

The study of religious diversity in higher education stands at a critical juncture. Recent research on the topic has provided new understandings of the relationships between college student religion and spirituality, well-being, and institutional religious affiliation. This article presents the most current knowledge in the field and shares the authors' recent research. The most important findings concern the role of religious privilege and marginalization, along with institutional factors such as faculty involvement and a culture of ecumenism, in predicting student growth.