Original News story by Stephanie Marken and Zach Hrynowski | April 20, 2023
Key Statistics
72% of currently enrolled college students consider state reproductive health laws important in their decision to stay enrolled.
60% of unenrolled adults aged 18 to 59, without a degree, find these laws significant when deciding to enroll in college.
73% of unenrolled adults aged 18 to 24 emphasize the importance of reproductive health laws in college enrollment, compared to 57% among those aged 25 to 59.
80% of Democrats, 71% of independents, and 62% of Republicans among currently enrolled students believe state laws on abortion access are important for their enrollment decisions.
76% of currently enrolled women and 62% of unenrolled women state that these laws impact their college enrollment decisions.
81% of both currently enrolled and unenrolled students who consider reproductive health services important prefer to attend universities in states with greater access to these services.
Study Insights
According to a recent study conducted by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup, reproductive health laws play a significant role in college enrollment decisions for both current and prospective students.
Relevance Across the Board
72% of currently enrolled college students find state reproductive health laws important when deciding to continue their education.
60% of unenrolled adults aged 18 to 59, without a degree, consider these laws crucial when deciding to pursue higher education.
Age Matters
Younger adults aged 18 to 24 are more likely to emphasize the importance of reproductive health laws in college enrollment, with 73% stating its significance, compared to 57% among those aged 25 to 59.
Party Lines and Gender
Party affiliation and gender also influence attitudes towards these laws.
80% of Democrats believe state laws on abortion access are essential for their enrollment decisions.
76% of currently enrolled women and 62% of unenrolled women say these laws impact their college enrollment decisions.
Preference for Less Restrictive Policies
Both current and prospective students prefer attending universities in states with less restrictive reproductive health laws.
81% of students who consider reproductive health services important favor greater access to these services.
Key Quotes
"Nearly three-quarters of currently enrolled college students (72%) report that the reproductive health laws in the state where their college is located are at least somewhat important to their decision to stay enrolled." - Lumina Foundation-Gallup study.
"As many states consider new policies governing reproductive healthcare services, colleges and universities continue to grapple with declining enrollment numbers." - Implications of the study.
"If more than half of currently unenrolled adults, and higher percentages of current students, say it is at least somewhat important that the college they attend is in a state that does not restrict access to these services... schools in states that have adopted or are considering adopting restrictive abortion policies may be at risk of even greater enrollment declines." - Study implications.
Conclusion
The study's findings shed light on the significant influence of reproductive health laws on college enrollment decisions. With a majority of students considering these laws important, colleges and universities in states with restrictive abortion policies may face enrollment challenges, particularly among women and young adults, potentially exacerbating existing enrollment issues in higher education institutions.
Read the full News Story here: https://news.gallup.com/poll/474365/reproductive-health-laws-factor-college-decisions.aspx
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