While it’s commonly acknowledged that higher education makes students more liberal, a new study suggests that college graduates may come out more spiritual as well.

A recent study by the University of California-Los Angeles’ Higher Education Research Institute showed that college students become progressively more spiritual throughout their time in school, despite attending church less often.

The study surveyed 14,527 students attending 136 colleges across the country and analyzed the information based on five spiritual and religious qualities, according to UCLA’s Spirituality in Higher Education website.

The study found that although students attend church less frequently once they begin their college careers, they also start to ask existential questions and show more empathy toward others, fostering their spiritual growth.

Overall, the study found that students grow spiritually “if they are actively engaged in ‘inner work’ through self-reflection, contemplation or meditation,” according to the website.

Gretchen Baumgardt, assistant director of Marquette’s Campus Ministry, said the ministry is very open to conversations with all students about spirituality and religious growth.

“As a Catholic, Jesuit University, Ignatian spirituality flows from our mission as a university and through the Catholic tradition,” Baumgardt said.

Baumgardt said she believes spiritual questions can deepen over the course of four years at Marquette.

“Everyone grows at their own pace,” she said.

Many students agree that faith and one’s relationship with a higher being can grow as they progress in college, but only if students make proactive efforts to do so.

“I think students grow spiritually based upon their involvement in service,” said Rose Gregory, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Gregory, who participates in service, said she believes almost every student has taken part in some sort of service, and that doing so is a way for him or her to grow spiritually.

Students who are interested in spiritual direction can meet with someone from Campus Ministry and discuss many topics along the lines of spirituality and religion, according to a handout on spiritual direction.

Madeline Burgeson, a junior in the College of Business Administration, has taken advantage of Marquette’s spiritual guidance and said it was a positive experience. In addition to participating in retreats, Burgeson was also confirmed during her time at Marquette.

Courtney Brueggeman, a sophomore in the College of Communication, said she believes most students do not come to Marquette to grow spiritually, but for their major or career, or because of the university’s reputation.

“I feel that students who make a conscious effort to grow by joining student organizations, such as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, grow in their spirituality,” Brueggeman said.

She said she has found that students and faculty are not very encouraging of students joining organizations on campus that deal with spirituality and religion.

“When I first came here, I definitely thought more students would care about growing in their faith, or exploring faith at all,” Brueggeman said. “I was surprised at the complacency of most students and faculty.”

Meghan Wleklinski, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, disagreed, saying that Marquette has helped her explore religion and to analyze it critically.

“It has helped me criticize my faith,” Wleklinski said. “I come out still Catholic, but with a better knowledge of what it means to be Catholic.”