Key Takeaways
1 Students at elite schools start college strong on pluralism but show little growth
2 Less-selective colleges help students build deeper pluralistic attitudes over four years
3 All students join more interfaith activities by senior year
4 Everyday interfaith programs boost real pluralism at less-selective campuses
5 True pluralism needs active listening, shared projects, and open curiosity
Introduction
Religious diversity is growing in the United States. Colleges face the task of bringing students from different faiths together. Yet not all campuses foster real religious pluralism in the same way. Our study of over 3,100 students at 112 colleges reveals a surprising trend. Highly selective colleges admit students who already value pluralism. However, attitudes at these elite schools stay flat. Meanwhile, students at less-selective colleges deepen their pluralistic views. They also take part in interfaith events just as much as elite peers by graduation.
Starting Point: Elite Students Lead on Day One
On the first day of college, many elite school freshmen praise religious pluralism. They often say they respect people with different beliefs. By contrast, students at less-selective schools begin with more varied attitudes. Some arrive unsure how to discuss faith with others. Despite this gap, less-selective schools show powerful gains over time.
Attitude Growth on Campus
After four years, less-selective college students show stronger pluralistic views. They learn to appreciate faith traditions beyond their own. In contrast, elite students keep the same level of support they had as freshmen. They do not deepen their pluralism in measurable ways. Therefore, elite campuses may need new ways to push students beyond their initial ideals.
Interfaith Activities Rise
Across all types of institutions, students join more interfaith activities by senior year. These activities include visiting different places of worship, taking religion courses, and joining dialogue groups. Less-selective colleges see slightly higher gains in these activities. This result suggests that everyday campus life shapes behavior more than prestige does.
Why This Matters
The nation grows more divided along religious lines. Incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise. If college students cannot bridge these divides, society will suffer. Pluralism is more than tolerance or diversity. It means seeking to understand other faiths. It means working together on common goals. Without real pluralism, cultural divides may deepen.
Building True Pluralism
Less-selective colleges offer lessons for all institutions. They integrate interfaith programs into classes and campus events. For example, students might research community faith traditions together. Or they might intern at interfaith organizations. These shared experiences build habits of curiosity and humility. They help students turn polite respect into real engagement.
Moreover, colleges can host more interfaith dialogues in residence halls and student clubs. They can welcome speakers from various faiths. They can include faith studies in general education requirements. By doing so, they ensure every student meets diverse perspectives regularly.
Conclusion
Religious pluralism is a civic necessity in today’s diverse world. Elite colleges admit students who already value pluralism. Yet they often leave those attitudes unchanged. Meanwhile, less-selective colleges help students grow in both attitude and action. All institutions can learn from this model. They can move beyond performative pluralism. They can foster curiosity, humility, and teamwork across faiths. Tomorrow’s leaders must leave college ready to bridge religious divides. Our democracy depends on it.