UC Riverside

This study examines how the extent of religious engagement affects the higher education experiences of Muslim students attending college or those who have recently graduated from college. I also consider if participation in religious student groups play a role in how Muslim students engage with higher education. I interviewed six self-identifying Muslim students to better understand their viewpoints regarding higher education and their degree of religious practice. By using interviews to understand the perspectives of Muslim students related to education and religion, this work will contribute useful knowledge on how education and religion overlap in the lives of many Muslim students who prioritize these aspects. This paper concludes that Muslim students have an overall satisfaction with their educational experiences when considering their religiosity and the religious tolerance of the campus they attend. Additionally, Muslim students were found to prioritize both their education and religion while attending higher education institutions.