Journal of College Student Development

In this study we sought to understand how the first college year impacted students spiritually and religiously. The sample was comprised of 3,680 first-year students from 50 colleges and universities across the country and included individuals representing a variety of racial/ethnic and religious backgrounds. Overall, students became less religiously active, but were more committed to integrating spirituality into their lives after one year. Further, religiousness and spirituality were highly correlated, although personal characteristics, institutional variables, and college experiences were also associated with these constructs.