American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey
The American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey is an annual survey conducted by the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth. The survey assesses student perceptions about viewpoint diversity and campus freedom; human progress and beliefs about the future; student attitudes toward entrepreneurship, capitalism and socialism, and how college is influencing their views; student views related to the Israel-Hamas war and how to voice opinions appropriately; and student perceptions of social media use and effects.
American colleges and universities play a vital role in shaping future political, cultural, and business leaders. However, there are growing concerns among the American public regarding the current state and direction of higher education and its influence on society. Recent surveys have begun to identify important challenges on college campuses related to free speech and tolerance of diverse viewpoints. To build on this understanding, we initiated an annual survey in 2021 to explore how students’ experiences in higher education influence their thoughts about the current and future state of the world and their place in it.
Survey results are divided into five sections. The first section examines student perceptions of viewpoint diversity in the classroom, as well as student attitudes toward regulating speech in the classroom and on campus. The second section examines student perceptions of how their college education is shaping their views on the world, the United States, their futures, and their ability to contribute to society. The third section examines students’ views on capitalism and socialism and the ways that these views have been shaped by the college experience. A fourth section, looks at student views related to the Israel-Hamas war and the appropriate ways to voice opinions. Finally, with increasing societal concerns about potential harms from social media use, we examine student perceptions of its use and effects.
Click here to download the 2025 survey results.
The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions to increase economic opportunity and flourishing.
Previous Reports
2024 American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey
2023 American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey
2022 American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey
2021 American College Student Freedom, Progress and Flourishing Survey
About the Author
John Bitzan, Ph.D.
Menard Family Director of the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, North Dakota State University
Author Commentary
| Are Americans Ready for the Reality of Socialism? | Fox News |
| Do the Pro-Palestine Protests Prove the Need for Education on Free Speech | The Lars Larson Show |
| Campus Protest Hypocrisy Reveals Need for Student Education on Free Speech | Reason |
| The Steve Hallstrom Show Episode 282: Can You Hear Me Now? | The Flag Radio |
| Letter: Fostering Diversity, Optimism in Higher Education | The Bismarck Tribune |
| A Worrying New Poll Reveals What Students Really Believe About Censorship | Fox News |
| Is College Making Young People Less Patriotic? Our Research Says Yes. | Newsweek |
| This Thanksgiving, Let's Be Grateful for Human Progress | The Hill |
| It Is Easy To Complain About Higher Ed. At NDSU We Are Working On Solutions. | The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead |
| Failing Students for the Future | Inside Higher Ed |
| Where College Students Stand | Free Thoughts |
| Clay Routledge on The Human Progress Podcast | HumanProgress |
| College Kids Don't Understand Socialism—or Capitalism. Our Research Proves It. | Newsweek |
Media Commentary
The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions to increase economic opportunity and flourishing.
The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of North Dakota State University.