Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today's College Student

Key Findings by Arthur Levine, author of Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today's College Student

On the Recession
• 48% of campuses report increases in the number of students temporarily dropping out for financial reasons
• 67% report students are working longer hours for financial reasons
• 48% report increases in the number of students living at home for financial reasons
• 36% report students are taking fewer credits for financial reasons
• 62% of college students say the recession affected where they went to college
• 67% say the chief benefit of college is increased earning power versus 44% in 1976

On Academics
• 41% of undergraduates have average grades of A- or higher, versus 7% in 1969
• 9% have grades of C or less versus 25% in 1969
• 45% have taken remedial courses
• 60% say their grades understate the true quality of their work

On Sex and Dating
• 47% of undergraduates say they have had a "hook up" or casual sex by the time they graduate
• 70% of sexually active students report one partner in the past year (17% report three or more partners)
• 39% of sexually active undergraduates report never or rarely using a condom
• 37% of four-year colleges report increased interracial dating
• 55% have experienced increases in Internet or e-mail stalking or harassment
• 41% have experienced increases in cell-phone stalking or harassment

On Social Media
• On average, undergraduates have 241 social media friends (overwhelmingly on Facebook)
• 45% of undergraduates trust the people they meet on Facebook
• 74% would comfortable with their parents seeing their Facebook page
• 62% would be comfortable with an employer seeing their Facebook page
• A plurality say the establishment of the World Wide Web is the key event in their lives, versus the 29% who cite the September 11 attack and its aftermath

On Parents
• 41% of undergraduates text, email, call or visit their parents at least daily (19% three times a day or more)
• 27% of undergraduates asked parents to intervene in problems with professors or employers
• 76% of colleges and universities report increases in parent involvement and intervention

On Politics and Activism
• 68% of students are not politically active or engaged
• 83% believe meaningful social change cannot be achieved through the traditional American politics
• 65% were engaged in service activities in the past 12 months

On the Future
• 89% of undergraduates are optimistic about their personal futures
• 35% are optimistic about the future of the country
• 73% expect to be at least as well off as their parents
• 79% do not expect social security to be available when they retire