A sizeable percentage of students rule out certain states for higher education due to the state’s politics, according to the results of a new poll from the Art & Science Group LLC. Which state did most students rule out in the poll? Texas.
The poll revealed that 28% of students dismissed a college due to the political climate of the state it’s in. Among these students, 75% of liberals avoided schools they perceived as too conservative on issues like abortion rights or LGBTQ+ rights, while 66% of conservatives ruled out colleges in states they viewed as too Democratic, overly liberal on LGBTQ+ matters, or too permissive on “crime.” Texas was the most commonly excluded state, with 31% of those making decisions based on state politics citing it as a decisive factor. Other states frequently ruled out by at least 15% of respondents included Alabama, California, Florida, and New York.
The poll arrives at a politically fraught time as debates over abortion in post-Roe America and inflammatory social policies like bans on transgender students’ participation in sports teams that align with their identities have transfixed many state legislatures. In 2024, universities in red states like Texas are more helpless than ever as they’re “increasingly trapped with the politics of the state where they reside.”
Additionally, professors and experts believe that after Texas banned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the start of the year, more high school seniors, especially those who are women or people of color, are expected to opt for universities in other states over Texas schools. Finding a community where students feel comfortable, accepted, and safe is one of the biggest factors in determining where students will pursue their university education – and Texas is failing to meet many of these marks.