Spiritual Aspirations of American College Students

During the transition to adulthood, college students undergo profound personal growth and identity exploration. Spirituality, which is defined as the individual pursuit of meaning, purpose, and connection with others, oneself, and the sacred or transcendent, plays a significant role in shaping well-being, relationships, and academic engagement, independent of organized religion. This qualitative study explores the spiritual aspirations of college students, offering insights into their diverse experiences and values. Participants included 113 ethnically and religiously diverse students from a southern United States urban university who completed an anonymous, open-ended questionnaire focused on spirituality in interpersonal relationships, education, and broader life domains. A thematic analysis identified recurring themes, including “peaceful or less stressed,” “sharing spiritual experiences,” and “being focused.” The findings suggest that the majority of students view spirituality as central to their lives, highlighting its role in their search for meaning, personal development, and a sense of connectedness. These results underscore spirituality as a pervasive influence on student well-being and identity, with implications for their academic and relational experiences.