Educational distribution by religious group

% of adults who have completed…

Religious traditionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Buddhist20%33%28%20%262
Catholic46%27%16%10%7,157
Evangelical Protestant43%35%14%7%8,545
Hindu12%11%29%48%197
Historically Black Protestant52%33%9%6%1,905
Jehovah's Witness63%25%9%3%241
Jewish19%22%29%31%843
Mainline Protestant37%30%19%14%6,045
Mormon27%40%23%10%662
Muslim36%25%23%17%237
Orthodox Christian27%34%21%18%185
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")38%32%18%11%7,532
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: High school or less, Some college, College, Post-graduate degree

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God by educational group

% of adults who say they…

Educational distributionBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
High school or less66%20%5%1%6%1%10,584
Some college65%18%5%1%9%2%9,589
College57%19%6%< 1%14%3%8,798
Post-graduate degree52%22%7%1%15%3%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Believe in God; absolutely certain, Believe in God; fairly certain, Believe in God; not too/not at all certain, Do not believe in God

Importance of religion in one's life by educational group

% of adults who say religion is…

Educational distributionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
High school or less58%24%8%8%1%10,584
Some college53%24%11%11%1%9,589
College47%25%14%14%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree46%24%14%15%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Very important, Somewhat important, Not too important, Not at all important

Attendance at religious services by educational group

% of adults who attend religious services…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less37%32%30%1%10,584
Some college34%35%31%< 1%9,589
College36%33%30%< 1%8,798
Post-graduate degree36%33%30%< 1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month/a few times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of prayer by educational group

% of adults who pray…

Educational distributionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less57%16%6%20%1%10,584
Some college57%15%6%22%1%9,589
College51%15%5%28%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree49%15%6%29%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least daily, Weekly, Monthly, Seldom/never

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups by educational group

% of adults who attend prayer group…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less27%10%8%55%1%10,584
Some college24%9%8%58%1%9,589
College22%8%9%61%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree20%9%9%62%< 1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of meditation by educational group

% of adults who meditate…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less40%8%4%46%2%10,584
Some college41%9%4%45%1%9,589
College39%9%6%45%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree42%10%5%41%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing by educational group

% of adults who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less58%14%9%18%2%10,584
Some college60%15%9%15%1%9,589
College58%16%11%14%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree57%17%12%14%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe by educational group

% of adults who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less43%14%11%30%2%10,584
Some college47%17%12%23%1%9,589
College47%18%15%19%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree48%19%16%16%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Sources of guidance on right and wrong by educational group

% of adults who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Educational distributionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
High school or less35%8%47%8%2%10,584
Some college34%11%46%7%3%9,589
College30%14%41%12%3%8,798
Post-graduate degree28%17%38%15%3%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong by educational group

% of adults who say…

Educational distributionThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
High school or less31%66%1%2%10,584
Some college35%63%2%1%9,589
College35%63%1%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree32%66%2%< 1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: There are clear standards for what is right and wrong, Right or wrong depends on the situation

Frequency of reading scripture by educational group

% of adults who read scripture…

Educational distributionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
High school or less37%11%8%43%1%10,584
Some college37%10%8%44%1%9,589
College31%9%8%51%1%8,798
Post-graduate degree30%9%10%51%1%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: At least once a week, Once or twice a month, Several times a year, Seldom/never

Interpreting scripture by educational group

% of adults who say the holy scripture is…

Educational distributionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less42%24%3%25%6%10,584
Some college28%28%3%33%8%9,589
College19%29%2%43%7%8,798
Post-graduate degree14%28%2%49%8%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Word of God; should be taken literally, Word of God; not everything taken literally, Not the word of God

Belief in Heaven by educational group

% of adults who …in heaven

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less78%15%7%10,584
Some college73%20%7%9,589
College63%29%8%8,798
Post-graduate degree57%35%8%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Believe, Don't believe

Belief in Hell by educational group

% of adults who …in hell

Educational distributionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
High school or less65%27%8%10,584
Some college60%32%8%9,589
College48%43%8%8,798
Post-graduate degree40%51%10%5,897
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Believe, Don't believe