Blue and Gold flowers in front of St. Louis Hall

About the Holistic Impact Report (HIR)

The Holistic Impact Report (HIR) is a national research initiative examining the long-term outcomes of Catholic higher education. Through a continuing series of nationally representative studies conducted in partnership with YouGov, the HIR compares graduates of Catholic colleges and universities with graduates of secular institutions across a broad range of educational, professional and personal outcomes.

Rather than focusing only on career success, the study explores how higher education shapes meaning and purpose, ethical decision-making, community engagement, work and vocation and other dimensions of a flourishing life. Through the studies and related research, the HIR provides one of the most comprehensive portraits of the distinctive impact of Catholic higher education in the United States.

3.0 Research Findings

The third Holistic Impact Report confirms a remarkably consistent pattern across three national studies: graduates of Catholic colleges and universities report more meaningful lives, greater community engagement and stronger commitments to ethical principles.

Icon of a yellow book with a cross in the pages casting a blue shadow down the side.

HIR 3.0 also extends the research, examining meaningful work and artificial intelligence and, for the first time, asking graduates which elements of their college experience they identify as most influential in shaping their lives after graduation.

HIR 3.0 Findings on Work and AI. Over 9% more graduates of Catholic colleges view their career as a meaningful calling (75% vs 66%). Over 15% more understood how their work served others (71% vs 56%). Over 9% more that their work is aligned with their values (79% vs 70%). Over 13% more that their college or university helped them discover their purpose (63% vs 50%). Over 9% more indicate that they use AI more than once a day (34% vs 25%). Over 5% more agree that they feel extremly prepared to use AI (8% vs 3%). Over 12% more support the use of AI (48% vs 36%). Over 7% more believe AI will have a significantly positive impact (27% vs 20%).

When answering the statements below, the following was found between Catholic colleges and universities versus other schools.

  • I view my career as a meaningful calling: +9% more graduates of Catholic colleges view their career as a meaningful calling (75% vs 66%).
  • Undestand my work as serving others: +15% more understood how their work served others (71% vs 56%).
  • My work is aligned with my values: +9% more that their work is aligned with their values (79% vs 70%).
  • My university helped me discover my purpose: +13% more that their college or university helped them discover their purpose (63% vs 50%).
  • Use AI more than once a day: +9% more indicate that they use AI more than once a day (34% vs 25%).
  • Feel extremely prepared to use AI: +5% more agree that they feel extremely prepared to use AI (8% vs 3%).
  • Support the use of AI: 12% more support the use of AI (48% vs 36%).
  • AI has a significant positive impact: +7% more believe AI will have a significantly positive impact (27% vs 20%).

HIR 3.0 Additional Highlights

  • 74% of graduates of Catholic colleges and universities say their life has a clear sense of direction, compared with 69% of graduates of secular institutions.
  • Graduates of Catholic colleges were 7% more likely to say that their life is closer to their ideal (65% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates of Catholic colleges and universities rated all seven moral considerations included in HIR 3.0 as more relevant to their moral judgments than graduates of secular institutions did.
  • 58% of graduates of Catholic colleges describe professors as important or very important influences in shaping their lives after graduation, compared with 44% of graduates of secular colleges.
  • 54% identify the core curriculum as important or very important, compared with 42%.

Full Report

The full HIR 3.0 report provides the complete findings on meaningful lives, community engagement, ethical decision-making, meaningful work, artificial intelligence, educational influences and economic outcomes, along with information about the study’s methodology.

Read the full HIR 3.0 report or the HIR 3.0 press release to learn more.

HIR 3.0 Report
HIR 3.0 Press Release

HIR Research Notes

The Research Notes series offers focused, in-depth analysis of specific topics drawn from the Holistic Impact Report. Each note examines a particular dimension of the data. The series is designed for researchers, practitioners and institutional leaders who want to engage the data at a deeper level.

Contact us if you have any questions about the analysis or if there is additional data you would like to see.

AI 2.0 HIR Research Notes

Graduates of Catholic colleges and universities use AI at work at significantly higher rates than their secular peers, feel more prepared for AI integration and approach AI’s societal impact with greater optimism, outcomes they attribute not to AI-specific course work but to the broader education they received.

AI 2.0 Notes

AI 3.0 HIR Research Notes

Information about the HIR AI 3.0 Research Notes is coming soon.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Faith and Diversity 2.0 Research Notes

Graduates of Catholic colleges and universities report both markedly higher faith engagement and greater exposure to diverse perspectives than their secular peers.

Faith and Diversity 2.0 Notes
Faith and Diversity

Volunteering 2.0 Research Notes

Graduates of Catholic colleges and universities volunteer at consistently higher rates than their secular peers across two years of data, are more likely to engage in direct, person-centered service and more frequently credit their institution with cultivating their sense of community responsibility.

Volunteering 2.0 Notes
Volunteering

Work 2.0 Research Notes

Graduates of Catholic colleges and universities achieve strong economic outcomes, report significantly stronger applied intellectual competencies across communication, motivation, adaptability and collaboration. Graduates are more likely to understand their work as a meaningful calling connected to service, purpose and values.

Work 2.0 Notes
Work

HIR Studies

HIR 2.0 Study Results

The curriculum encouraged faith-based discussions:52% more Catholic grads agree that the curriculum encouraged faith-based discussions (66% vs. 14%). The curriculum encouraged discussions on different viewpoints: 12% more Catholic grads agree that the curriculum encouraged discussions on different viewpoints (81% vs. 69%) Sense of belonging: 14% more Catholic grads agree that they felt a strong sense of belonging at their college or university (63% vs. 49%) My college or university helped me grow into the person I am today:13% more Catholic grads agree that their college or university helped them grow into the person they are today (73% vs. 60%) I am satisfied with my mental health:15% more Catholic grads agree that they were satisfied with their mental health I view my career or profession as a meaningful calling: 7% more Catholic grads agree that they view their career or profession as a meaningful calling (72% vs. 65%). Household incomes:62% vs. 52% representation in $100k+ household income brackets. Homeownership:61% vs. 57% homeownership among Catholic graduates.
  • The curriculum encouraged faith-based discussions: 52% more Catholic grads agree that the curriculum encouraged faith-based discussions (66% vs. 14%).
  • The curriculum encouraged discussions on different viewpoints: 12% more Catholic grads agree that the curriculum encouraged discussions on different viewpoints (81% vs. 69%).
  • Sense of belonging: 14% more Catholic grads agree that they felt a strong sense of belonging at their college or university (63% vs. 49%).
  • My college or university helped me grow into the person I am today: 13% more Catholic grads agree that their college or university helped them grow into the person they are today (73% vs. 60%).
  • I am satisfied with my mental health: 15% more Catholic grads agree that they were satisfied with their mental health.
  • I view my career or profession as a meaningful calling: 7% more Catholic grads agree that they view their career or profession as a meaningful calling (72% vs. 65%).
  • Household incomes: 62% vs. 52% representation in $100k+ household income brackets.
  • Homeownership: 61% vs. 57% homeownership among Catholic graduates.
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Press Release
Academic Essay
HIR 2.0

HIR Law Study Results

Key Findings Topline Differences Between Catholic and Secular Law School Graduates summary: 14% more are currently practicing law, 10% more cite the Rule of Law as a reason for attending law school, 26% higher participation in local elections, 4x as many have held elected community roles, 15% felt a sense of community at law school, 13% more say their career aligns with personal values, 12% more say law school helped them find life's purpose, 10% more say law school clarified their broader purpose in the profession, 84% say the curriculum encouraged ethical discussions (vs. 76%), 2x as many tutored, coached youth, or served on bar committees
  • 14% more are currently practicing law
  • 10% more cite the Rule of Law as a reason for attending law school
  • 26% higher participation in local elections
  • Four times as many have held elected community roles
  • 15% felt a sense of community at law school
  • 13% more say their career aligns with personal values
  • 12% more say law school helped them find life’s purpose
  • 10% more say law school clarified their broader purpose in the profession
  • 84% say the curriculum encouraged ethical discussions (vs. 76%)
  • Two times as many tutored, coached youth or served on bar committees
HIR – Law Study Information
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Press Release
HIR Law

HIR 1.0 Study Results

Key Findings for HIR: Life is close to ideal +10%, Clear sense of direction +9%, Lifelong search for purpose +14%, Seeking significance +17%, Searching for meaning +15%,Social fulfillment +15%,Community fulfillment +13%,Civic engagement +9%, Morality in decision-making +19% and Alignment of goals and values: +9%
  • Life is close to ideal: +10%
  • Clear sense of direction: +9%
  • Lifelong search for purpose: +14%
  • Seeking significance: +17%
  • Searching for meaning: +15%
  • Social fulfillment: +15%
  • Community fulfillment: +13%
  • Civic engagement: +9%
  • Morality in decision-making: +19%
  • Alignment of goals and values: +9%
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Catholic news agency story
Press Release
HIR 1.0

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