Do college students misrepresent their political views?

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS

Researchers found 88% of college students misrepresent political views to fit in.

Utah students relate to findings, citing pressure to align with liberal campus views.

Professors also self-censor; conservative faculty face discrimination, impacting academic freedom.

SALT LAKE CITY — A majority of college students misrepresent their political views to fit in on campus, two researchers say.

Between 2023 and 2025, Forest Romm and Kevin Waldman conducted 1,452 confidential interviews at Northwestern University and at the University of Michigan.

First, they asked, "Have you ever pretended to hold more progressive views than you truly endorse to succeed socially or academically?" Among the students they interviewed, 88% said yes.

Then they