Many people discover, re-discover, or adopt a new religion while in college. It is, after all, the first time that they are away from home for such an extended period and this allows them to further develop as independent adults. New evidence indicates, however, that many students are also leaving religion completely while in college. Colleen Honigsberg writes for the Daily Bruin:

A UCLA survey of college freshmen nationwide, conducted in 2003, found 75 percent of participating students said religious or spiritual beliefs play an important part in helping to form their identity. But it also reported the number of students who marked "none" as their religious preference had increased to a record high of 17.6 percent. Overall, the survey found the level of student participation in traditional religious activities appeared to be decreasing.

It was determined that 80.4 percent of freshmen reported attending religious services frequently or occasionally in their last years of high school, but only 29 percent continued to attend through their junior year of college. Both numbers show a decrease when compared to years past. ... In addition to the decreased number of service attendees, the number of students who said their parents do not have a religious preference has increased to record levels of 13.9 percent of fathers and 9.1 percent of mothers.

There is still plenty of evidence that people are continuing to be religious or getting more religious while at college - that cannot be denied. The growth of non-religious students, however, is still important and interesting. If it continues, I wonder what it will mean for American society in the future. Unbelief and irreligion may continue to grow, gradually, and become more of a social and political force.

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