Survey of Young Americans’ Attitudes towards Politics and Public Service
22nd Edition: September 19 - October 3, 2012
N=2,123 18-29 Year Olds in English and Spanish (with Knowledge Networks)
Margin of Error for entire sample: 2.1% at the 95% level
Margin of Error for college students: 5.0% at the 95% level
1.
With regard to school, are you currently enrolled at any of the following? Please select all that apply:
High school ....................................................
Trade/Vocational school ................................
2-year junior college or community college ..
4-year college or university ...........................
Graduate school .............................................
Business school or professional school..........
Not enrolled in college/university but taking
at least one course ..........................................
Not currently enrolled in any of these............
Decline to answer ...........................................
Total:
18-29
3%
2%
12%
22%
4%
2%
1%
54%
1%
4-Year
College
1%
3%
100%
-
[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask]
2.
In which year of college are you?
First year student/Freshman ...........................
Second year student/Sophomore ....................
Third year student/Junior ...............................
Fourth year student/Senior .............................
Fifth year student or higher ............................
Decline to answer ...........................................
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
26%
25%
23%
19%
7%
-
4-Year
College
(n=470)
19%
20%
27%
24%
9%
-
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
3.
Page 2 of 28
We understand that plenty of young people are not registered to vote, but we are wondering if you are
registered to vote?
Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
Don’t know ....................................................
Decline to answer ...........................................
Total:
18-29
67%
28%
5%
1%
4-Year
College
78%
20%
2%
-
[If respondent was over 18 in 2008, ask Q4-Q5]
The following are questions about voter registration and voting…
4.
Which of the following statements best describes your voter registration status for the last presidential
election held on November 4th, 2008?
Total:
18-29
(n=2,123)
I was registered .............................................. 47%
I thought about registering, but didn’t ...........
4%
I tried to register, but was unable to...............
2%
I was not registered to vote on Nov. 4, 2008 . 39%
Not sure ..........................................................
7%
Decline to answer ...........................................
1%
5.
4-Year
College
(n=470)
33%
4%
3%
59%
2%
-
Which of the following statements best describes your voting in the last presidential election held on
November 4th, 2008?
Total:
18-29
(n=1,797)
I voted at a polling place ................................ 33%
I voted early ...................................................
6%
I voted by absentee ballot ..............................
9%
I planned on voting, but wasn’t able to ..........
4%
I did not vote in this election.......................... 43%
I went to the polling place, but wasn’t
allowed to vote ...............................................
2%
Decline to answer ...........................................
2%
4-Year
College
(n=339)
23%
6%
10%
6%
54%
1%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
Page 3 of 28
[If respondent was over 18 in 2008, and “Voted” in Q5, ask]
6.
For whom did you vote for president in 2008?
Total:
18-29
(n=880)
Barack Obama ................................................ 58%
John McCain .................................................. 33%
Someone else .................................................
3%
Don’t remember .............................................
1%
Decline to answer ...........................................
4%
7.
When it comes to voting, with which party do you consider yourself to be affiliated?
Total:
18-29
NET: Democrat ............................................ 36%
Strong Democrat ............................................ 18%
Not a very strong Democrat ........................... 17%
8.
4-Year
College
(n=134)
56%
28%
3%
2%
11%
4-Year
College
35%
19%
15%
NET: Republican .........................................
Strong Republican ..........................................
Not a very strong Republican ........................
24%
11%
13%
31%
12%
19%
NET: Independent .......................................
37%
33%
Refused ..........................................................
1%
2%
When it comes to most political issues, do you think of yourself as a…?
Total:
18-29
NET: Liberal ................................................ 37%
Liberal ............................................................ 25%
Moderate - Leaning Liberal .......................... 12%
4-Year
College
42%
25%
16%
Moderate ........................................................
30%
25%
NET: Conservative.......................................
Conservative ..................................................
Moderate – Leaning Conservative .................
33%
23%
10%
35%
24%
10%
Refused ..........................................................
4%
2%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
9.
How likely is it that you will vote in the general election for President in November?
Definitely will be voting ................................
Probably will be voting ..................................
50-50 ..............................................................
Probably won’t be voting ...............................
Definitely won’t be voting .............................
Refused ..........................................................
10.
Total:
18-29
48%
10%
16%
9%
14%
3%
4-Year
College
55%
14%
16%
7%
6%
2%
How do you plan to vote in the November election?
At a polling place ...........................................
By absentee ballot ..........................................
At a place set up for early voting ..................
I do not plan on voting ...................................
Don’t know ....................................................
Refused ..........................................................
11.
Page 4 of 28
Total:
18-29
43%
14%
6%
20%
14%
3%
4-Year
College
43%
29%
6%
11%
9%
2%
Do you consider yourself to be politically engaged or politically active?
Total:
18-29
Yes ................................................................. 25%
No................................................................... 73%
Refused ..........................................................
2%
4-Year
College
29%
69%
1%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
12.
Page 5 of 28
How excited are you about the election this fall?
Total:
18-29
Net: Excited .................................................. 47%
Very excited ................................................... 18%
Somewhat excited .......................................... 28%
13.
Net: Not excited ............................................
Not very excited .............................................
Not at all excited ............................................
51%
27%
24%
46%
31%
15%
Refused ..........................................................
2%
1%
All in all, do you think that things in the nation are…?
Total:
18-29
Generally headed in the in the right direction 25%
Off on the wrong track ................................... 41%
Not sure what direction the country is headed 31%
Refused ..........................................................
3%
14.
4-Year
College
53%
19%
34%
4-Year
College
21%
48%
29%
1%
Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or are you not a supporter of the
Tea Party movement?
Supporter ........................................................
Not a supporter ...............................................
Not sure ..........................................................
Refused ..........................................................
Total:
18-29
10%
46%
41%
3%
4-Year
College
12%
51%
35%
3%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
15.
Page 6 of 28
Thinking about national issues for a moment, which issue concerns you most?
NET: Economy .............................................
General ...........................................................
Jobs ................................................................
National Debt/Budget deficit .........................
Unemployment/Job loss .................................
Employment ...................................................
Taxes ..............................................................
Money issues ..................................................
Government spending ....................................
Poverty ...........................................................
Economic equality/inequality ........................
Financial stability ...........................................
Recession .......................................................
Total:
18-29
61%
32%
9%
7%
4%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
*
*
4-Year
College
62%
37%
9%
9%
2%
1%
2%
1%
*
1%
*
*
*
NET: Health Care ........................................
Health care, general .......................................
Medical/health insurance ...............................
Universal health care......................................
10%
9%
1%
*
9%
9%
*
*
Immigration....................................................
Education .......................................................
5%
4%
2%
6%
NET: National Security ...............................
War/Military ..................................................
Foreign policy/affairs .....................................
Terrorism........................................................
Iraq .................................................................
Afghanistan ....................................................
National security ............................................
3%
2%
1%
*
*
*
*
2%
1%
1%
*
*
*
*
Moral issues ...................................................
President Obama/lack of leadership...............
Environment ...................................................
Energy ............................................................
Government/political corruption....................
Loss of Constitutional rights ..........................
Political partisanship ......................................
Global warming .............................................
Other issues ....................................................
Don’t know/No answer ..................................
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
*
*
*
2%
2%
3%
*
2%
*
*
*
1%
*
3%
3%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
Page 7 of 28
In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of:
16.
Barack Obama as President
Total:
18-29
Approve.......................................................... 52%
Disapprove ..................................................... 43%
Decline to answer ...........................................
5%
17.
The Democrats in Congress
Total:
18-29
Approve.......................................................... 41%
Disapprove ..................................................... 54%
Decline to answer ...........................................
5%
18.
4-Year
College
41%
54%
4%
The Republicans in Congress
Total:
18-29
Approve.......................................................... 23%
Disapprove ..................................................... 71%
Decline to answer ...........................................
5%
19.
4-Year
College
49%
47%
4%
4-Year
College
27%
68%
4%
If the election for President were held today and the candidates were Barack Obama, the Democrat, and
Mitt Romney, the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Obama ............................................................
Romney ..........................................................
Don’t Know ...................................................
Refused ..........................................................
Total:
18-29
48%
26%
22%
3%
4-Year
College
44%
33%
20%
3%
Among voters who say they will “definitely” be voting
Total:
18-29
(n=1,026)
Obama ............................................................ 55%
Romney .......................................................... 36%
Don’t Know ...................................................
9%
4-Year
College
(n=257)
48%
38%
14%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
20.
Page 8 of 28
How likely is it that you might change your mind and vote for another candidate in November?
Total:
18-29
Net: Likely .................................................... 15%
Very likely .....................................................
4%
Somewhat likely............................................. 11%
21.
4-Year
College
20%
4%
16%
Net: Not likely...............................................
Not very likely ...............................................
Not at all likely...............................................
81%
25%
56%
77%
23%
54%
Refused ..........................................................
3%
3%
In your own words, please describe as thoughtfully as possible the reason(s) why you are supporting
Barack Obama or Mitt Romney for President?
Romney Voters
Total:
18-29
(n=558)
Dislike/Distrust of Obama ............................. 24%
Business acumen ............................................ 16%
Religious and social issues............................. 10%
Is a Republican ...............................................
9%
Represents change ..........................................
7%
Jobs and the economy ....................................
6%
Government spending and debt .....................
6%
Views closer to my own .................................
6%
Other .............................................................. 10%
No response ....................................................
5%
4-Year
College
(n=154)
29%
21%
8%
7%
5%
6%
5%
4%
11%
4%
Obama Voters
Total:
18-29
(n=1,026)
Doing a good job/Deserves 4 more years ...... 25%
In touch with middle/working class ............... 15%
Dislike Romney ............................................. 12%
Closer politically ............................................
7%
Jobs and the economy ....................................
7%
Health care .....................................................
5%
Is a Democrat .................................................
3%
Like Obama better..........................................
3%
Other .............................................................. 17%
No response ....................................................
5%
4-Year
College
(n=206)
27%
14%
11%
5%
9%
6%
2%
3%
15%
3%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
22.
23.
How would you say that Mitt Romney’s choice of Paul Ryan as his running mate affects your likelihood
to vote for him?
Total:
4-Year
18-29
College
Net: More likely............................................ 30%
39%
Much more likely ...........................................
9%
9%
Somewhat more likely ................................... 22%
30%
Net: Less likely .............................................
Somewhat less likely......................................
Much less likely .............................................
62%
23%
40%
54%
27%
27%
Refused ..........................................................
7%
7%
Regardless of which candidate your support – do you believe that Barack Obama will win or lose reelection in 2012?
Win.................................................................
Lose ................................................................
Don’t know ....................................................
Refused ..........................................................
24.
Page 9 of 28
Total:
18-29
52%
15%
29%
4%
4-Year
College
52%
17%
29%
3%
Which party do you want to control Congress after this election?
Democrats ......................................................
Republicans ....................................................
Each party controlling half.............................
Refused ..........................................................
Total:
18-29
40%
25%
30%
5%
4-Year
College
39%
32%
26%
3%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
25.
Page 10 of 28
How closely have you been following the campaign for President?
Total:
18-29
Net: Closely ................................................... 45%
Very closely ................................................... 13%
Somewhat closely .......................................... 31%
26.
4-Year
College
49%
13%
36%
Net: Not closely .............................................
Not very closely .............................................
Not at all closely ............................................
52%
28%
23%
48%
23%
25%
Refused ..........................................................
4%
3%
If the campaign that you supported provided an opportunity for you, would you be interested in
volunteering?
Total:
18-29
Net: Interested .............................................. 31%
Very interested ............................................... 11%
Somewhat interested ...................................... 20%
4-Year
College
29%
12%
17%
Net: Not interested .......................................
Not very interested .........................................
Not at all interested ........................................
33%
28%
26%
33%
32%
28%
Refused ..........................................................
1%
-
Please indicate which candidate you trust more to handle each of the following issues:
27.
The economy
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 47%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 34%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 13%
4-Year
College
42%
29%
13%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
20%
19%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
28%
17%
11%
35%
20%
15%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
4%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
28.
Page 11 of 28
Health care policy
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 49%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 36%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 13%
29.
4-Year
College
46%
32%
14%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
19%
18%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
26%
15%
11%
32%
19%
13%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Immigration reform
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 45%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 35%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 11%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
4-Year
College
42%
30%
12%
23%
24%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama ..... 25%
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama .......... 15%
I trust Romney a little more than Obama ....... 10%
29%
18%
12%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
30.
Page 12 of 28
Foreign policy
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 47%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 35%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 11%
31.
4-Year
College
44%
31%
13%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
24%
23%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
24%
15%
9%
28%
18%
10%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Commander-in-Chief of the military
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 46%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 35%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 11%
4-Year
College
41%
31%
10%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
24%
26%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
24%
15%
10%
29%
18%
11%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
4%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
32.
Page 13 of 28
Issues of concern to someone your age
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 52%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 39%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 13%
33.
4-Year
College
52%
37%
14%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
22%
20%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
21%
14%
7%
24%
17%
7%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Issues of concern to women
Total:
18-29
Net: I trust Obama more than Romney ..... 53%
I trust Obama a lot more than Romney .......... 39%
I trust Obama a little more than Romney ....... 13%
4-Year
College
52%
38%
14%
I trust both candidates the same .....................
22%
22%
Net: I trust Romney more than Obama .....
I trust Romney a lot more than Obama ..........
I trust Romney a little more than Obama .......
20%
13%
7%
21%
14%
6%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
4%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
Page 14 of 28
How much do you agree with the following statements about voting?
34.
I only vote when I think it will be a close election.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 11%
Strongly agree ................................................
4%
Somewhat agree .............................................
7%
35.
4-Year
College
8%
4%
4%
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
29%
25%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
54%
16%
38%
62%
17%
45%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
It doesn’t matter who’s elected; Washington is broken.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 39%
Strongly agree ................................................ 13%
Somewhat agree ............................................. 26%
4-Year
College
40%
12%
28%
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
29%
23%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
27%
12%
15%
32%
16%
15%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
36.
Page 15 of 28
It doesn’t matter who is elected; the parties are more or less the same.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 22%
Strongly agree ................................................
7%
Somewhat agree ............................................. 15%
37.
4-Year
College
26%
4%
22%
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
27%
23%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
45%
19%
26%
47%
19%
29%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
4%
It doesn’t matter who’s elected; none of the candidates represent my views.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 24%
Strongly agree ................................................
7%
Somewhat agree ............................................. 17%
4-Year
College
30%
7%
23%
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
28%
22%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
42%
22%
20%
43%
23%
21%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
38.
Page 16 of 28
Some elections are more important that others; I only vote when I think it’s important.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 18%
Strongly agree ................................................
5%
Somewhat agree ............................................. 13%
39.
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
29%
26%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
48%
16%
32%
51%
16%
35%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
5%
I only vote when I am passionately for or against one of the candidates.
Total:
18-29
Net: Agree ..................................................... 19%
Strongly agree ................................................
7%
Somewhat agree ............................................. 11%
40.
4-Year
College
18%
4%
14%
4-Year
College
19%
6%
13%
Neither agree nor disagree .............................
29%
25%
Net: Disagree ................................................
Somewhat disagree ........................................
Strongly disagree ...........................................
47%
17%
30%
51%
19%
32%
Refused ..........................................................
6%
4%
Which of the following comes closest to your view:
Total:
18-29
The problems that President Obama
inherited are so complex it takes more than
four years to do the job ..................................
Despite his best efforts, President Obama
Has failed .......................................................
Refused ..........................................................
4-Year
College
62%
64%
33%
5%
34%
2%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
41.
Page 17 of 28
The tax cuts that were passed in 2001 will expire this year if they are not continued. Which of the
following best describes what you think Congress should do about the tax cuts?
Total:
18-29
Allow the tax cuts for people earning more
than $250,000 to expire, but continue them
for other people ..............................................
Continue the tax cuts for everyone ................
Allow the tax cuts to expire for everyone ......
Declined to answer .........................................
Refused ..........................................................
42.
32%
23%
10%
31%
5%
4-Year
College
29%
25%
12%
30%
4%
On domestic issues, how different do you think Barack Obama’s policies are compared to Mitt
Romney’s?
Total:
18-29
NET: Different ............................................. 64%
Very different ................................................. 38%
Somewhat different ........................................ 26%
4-Year
College
73%
39%
34%
NET: Not Different ......................................
Not very different ...........................................
Not at all different ..........................................
7%
6%
1%
5%
4%
-
I don’t know ...................................................
Refused ..........................................................
25%
4%
19%
3%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
43.
Page 18 of 28
On foreign policy issues, how different do you think Barack Obama’s policies are compared to Mitt
Romney?
Total:
18-29
NET: Different ............................................. 55%
Very different ................................................. 31%
Somewhat different ........................................ 24%
4-Year
College
64%
30%
34%
NET: Not Different ......................................
Not very different ...........................................
Not at all different ..........................................
12%
9%
3%
11%
9%
2%
I don’t know ...................................................
Refused ..........................................................
29%
4%
22%
3%
[Q44 and Q45 were asked of a split sample]
44.
Do you approve or disapprove of the United States conducting missile strikes from pilotless aircrafts
called drones to target extremists in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia?
Total:
18-29
(n=1,091)
Approve.......................................................... 35%
Disapprove ..................................................... 24%
Don’t know .................................................... 42%
45.
4-Year
College
(n=254)
37%
27%
37%
Do you approve or disapprove of the United States conducting missile strikes from pilotless aircrafts
called drones to target extremists in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia – even if the targets
include US citizens who are suspected terrorists?
Total:
18-29
(n=1,032)
Approve.......................................................... 30%
Disapprove ..................................................... 25%
Don’t know .................................................... 46%
4-Year
College
(n=221)
40%
31%
39%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
46.
What should the U.S. do if Israel were to attack Iran in order to prevent it from developing a nuclear
weapons program? Should the U.S. support Israel’s military action, or should the U.S. not get involved?
Support ...........................................................
Not get involved .............................................
Don’t know ....................................................
Refused ..........................................................
47.
Page 19 of 28
Total:
18-29
26%
37%
34%
3%
Which of these comes closest to your view on abortion?
Total:
18-29
It should be permitted in all cases .................. 32%
It should be permitted, but subject to greater
restrictions than it is now ............................... 14%
It should be permitted only in cases such as
rape, incest, or to save the woman’s life ........ 27%
It should only be permitted to save the
woman’s life...................................................
8%
It should not be permitted at all ..................... 15%
Refused ..........................................................
5%
48.
4-Year
College
33%
34%
31%
2%
4-Year
College
35%
20%
23%
8%
11%
3%
Which statement comes closest to your own view regarding birth control?
Total:
18-29
Doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies
should provide birth control to all women
who want it .....................................................
Doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies
should not have to provide birth control if
they object to it on moral or religious
grounds ...........................................................
Refused ..........................................................
4-Year
College
72%
75%
23%
5%
23%
2%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
49.
In general, which do you think is the better way to solve important issues facing the country- through
political engagement or through community volunteerism?
Political engagement ......................................
Community volunteerism...............................
Not sure ..........................................................
Refused ..........................................................
50.
Page 20 of 28
Total:
18-29
19%
31%
46%
4%
4-Year
College
25%
33%
40%
2%
Which one of these best describes your religious preference?
Catholic ..........................................................
Protestant........................................................
Fundamentalist/ Evangelical Christian ..........
Jewish.............................................................
LDS/ Mormon ................................................
Muslim ...........................................................
Another religion .............................................
No religious presence .....................................
Not sure ..........................................................
Decline to answer ...........................................
Refused ..........................................................
Total:
18-29
20%
13%
12%
2%
2%
8%
24%
4%
11%
4%
4-Year
College
17%
21%
11%
3%
3%
6%
23%
5%
8%
4%
[If Catholic, Protestant, Fundamentalist/Evangelical, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, Muslim, or Another
Religion in Q50, ask]
51.
How important is religion in your own life?
Total:
18-29
(n=1,307)
Very important ............................................... 48%
Somewhat important ...................................... 33%
Not very important ......................................... 16%
Not sure ..........................................................
4%
Refused ..........................................................
-
4-Year
College
(n=306)
46%
33%
20%
1%
-
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
Page 21 of 28
[If Catholic, Protestant, Fundamentalist/Evangelical, LDS/Mormon, or Another Religion in Q50, ask]
52.
Do you consider yourself a born-again Christian?
Total:
18-29
(n=1,266)
Yes ................................................................. 34%
No................................................................... 50%
Not sure .......................................................... 11%
Decline to answer ...........................................
4%
53.
Switching topics, which one of these best describes your phone service at this time? (Multiple responses
allowed)
Cell phone ......................................................
Landline phone service ..................................
VOIP phone service .......................................
None of these .................................................
Refused ..........................................................
54.
Total:
18-29
85%
22%
2%
5%
4%
4-Year
College
92%
16%
1%
3%
3%
Is your college/university…?
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
Public ............................................................. 78%
Private ............................................................ 20%
Refused ..........................................................
2%
55.
4-Year
College
(n=292)
33%
56%
8%
3%
4-Year
College
(n=470)
69%
29%
2%
Is the college/university that you currently attend…?
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
In an urban or city area .................................. 49%
In a suburban area next to a city .................... 30%
In a small town or rural area .......................... 18%
Refused ..........................................................
3%
4-Year
College
(n=470)
49%
30%
19%
2%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
56.
Page 22 of 28
How many undergraduate students are enrolled in your college or university? Your best estimate is fine.
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
Less than 1,000 ..............................................
7%
1,000-4,000 .................................................... 32%
5,000-9,999 .................................................... 20%
10,000-19,999 ................................................ 18%
20,000 or more ............................................... 20%
Refused ..........................................................
3%
57.
Where do you live while attending college?
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
In an on-campus dormitory ............................ 18%
In fraternity/sorority housing .........................
1%
In a campus-owned apartment .......................
5%
In an apartment/house that is not campus
owned (not with parents) ............................... 31%
At home, with my parents .............................. 39%
Somewhere else .............................................
5%
Refused ..........................................................
2%
58.
4-Year
College
(n=470)
25%
2%
7%
36%
24%
4%
2%
Are you a…?
Total:
18-29
(n=714)
Full-time student ............................................ 77%
Part-time student ............................................ 22%
Refused ..........................................................
1%
59.
4-Year
College
(n=470)
4%
27%
21%
20%
26%
3%
4-Year
College
(n=470)
88%
11%
1%
Race/Ethnicity
White, Non-Hispanic .....................................
Black, Non-Hispanic ......................................
Other, Non-Hispanic ......................................
Hispanic .........................................................
2+ Races .........................................................
Total:
18-29
58%
13%
7%
20%
2%
4-Year
College
65%
12%
8%
13%
2%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
60.
Page 23 of 28
Gender
Total:
18-29
Male ............................................................... 50%
Female ............................................................ 50%
61.
What is your age?
18....................................................................
19....................................................................
20....................................................................
21....................................................................
22....................................................................
23....................................................................
24....................................................................
25....................................................................
26....................................................................
27....................................................................
28....................................................................
29....................................................................
62.
4-Year
College
49%
51%
Total:
18-29
9%
7%
8%
8%
10%
8%
9%
6%
7%
8%
9%
12%
4-Year
College
15%
16%
18%
18%
14%
4%
3%
2%
1%
4%
3%
4%
What is the highest level of school you have completed?
Less than HS ..................................................
HS ..................................................................
Some college ..................................................
Bachelor or higher..........................................
Total:
18-29
12%
30%
38%
21%
4-Year
College
1%
27%
67%
4%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
63.
We would like to get a more accurate estimate of your total HOUSEHOLD income in the past 12
months before taxes. Was it …
Less than $5,000 ............................................
$5,000 to $7,499 ............................................
$7,500 to $9,999 ............................................
$10,000 to $12,499 ........................................
$12,500 to $14,999 ........................................
$15,000 to $19,999 ........................................
$20,000 to $24,999 ........................................
$25,000 to $29,999 ........................................
$30,000 to $34,999 ........................................
$35,000 to $39,999 ........................................
$40,000 to $49,999 ........................................
$50,000 to $59,999 ........................................
$60,000 to $74,999 ........................................
$75,000 to $84,999 ........................................
$85,000 to $99,999 ........................................
$100,000 to $124,999 ....................................
$125,000 to $149,999 ....................................
$150,000 to $174,999 ....................................
$175,000 or more ...........................................
64.
Total:
18-29
3%
1%
1%
2%
3%
4%
5%
6%
4%
5%
9%
10%
10%
7%
9%
9%
5%
3%
4%
4-Year
College
1%
*
*
1%
1%
3%
4%
3%
1%
3%
5%
13%
7%
8%
11%
15%
8%
5%
8%
Are you now married, widowed, divorced, separated, never married, or living with a partner?
Total:
18-29
23%
*
1%
1%
59%
15%
4-Year
College
9%
*
*
*
85%
5%
Total:
18-29
Yes ................................................................. 47%
No................................................................... 53%
4-Year
College
27%
73%
Married ...........................................................
Widowed ........................................................
Divorced .........................................................
Separated ........................................................
Never married ................................................
Living with partner ........................................
65.
Page 24 of 28
Are you the household head?
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
66.
Including yourself, how many people currently live in your household at least 50% of the time? Please
remember to include babies or small children, include unrelated individuals (such as roommates), and
also include those now away traveling or in a hospital.
1......................................................................
2......................................................................
3......................................................................
4......................................................................
5......................................................................
6......................................................................
7......................................................................
8......................................................................
9......................................................................
10....................................................................
67.
Total:
18-29
8%
21%
25%
24%
12%
6%
2%
1%
*
*
4-Year
College
4%
13%
29%
30%
12%
7%
3%
1%
*
*
How many members are there in each age group in your household? – Average Number
1 year old or younger (0-12 months) .............
2 to 5 years old ...............................................
6 to 12 years old .............................................
13 to 17 years old ...........................................
18 years old or older ......................................
68.
Page 25 of 28
Total:
18-29
.12
.22
.21
.23
2.71
4-Year
College
.04
.07
.19
.26
3.08
Which statement best describes you current employment status?
Total:
18-29
NET: Working.............................................. 62%
Working – as a paid employee ....................... 58%
Working – self employed ...............................
4%
NET: Not Working ......................................
Not working – on a temporary layoff ............
Not working – looking for work ....................
Not working - retired .....................................
Not working - disabled...................................
Not working – other .......................................
38%
1%
20%
*
1%
15%
4-Year
College
63%
60%
3%
37%
23%
*
*
*
13%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
69.
Page 26 of 28
Are your living quarters …?
Total:
18-29
70.
Owned or being bought by you
or someone in your household .......................
60%
80%
Rented for cash ..............................................
37%
16%
Occupied without payment of cash rent.........
4%
3%
What best describes the building where you live?
Total:
18-29
A one-family house detached from
any other house ..............................................
A one-family house attached to one
or more houses ...............................................
A building with 2 or more apartments ...........
A mobile home...............................................
Boat, RV, van, etc. .........................................
71.
4-Year
College
60%
82%
12%
24%
6%
*
6%
11%
1%
*
Do you have internet access at home?
Total:
18-29
Yes ................................................................. 91%
No...................................................................
9%
72.
4-Year
College
4-Year
College
97%
3%
Region – based on state of residence?
Northeast ........................................................
Midwest..........................................................
South ..............................................................
West ...............................................................
Total:
18-29
18%
22%
35%
24%
4-Year
College
20%
26%
34%
20%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
73.
Page 27 of 28
Do you live in a metro or non-metro area?
Total:
18-29
Metro .............................................................. 87%
Non-metro ...................................................... 13%
4-Year
College
88%
12%
Harvard IOP Survey – Fall 2012
Page 28 of 28
Weighting Methodology
For this survey, a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (18 to 29 years old) was selected. 2,123
respondents completed the survey, with 106 interviews conducted in Spanish. Responses were weighted to
merge the Spanish-speakers with the overall panel, ensuring correct proportional fitting of Spanish-speaking
members relative to other English-speaking Hispanic and non-Hispanic panel members. Data was also
weighted to reflect known population density by gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, census region,
metropolitan area, and Internet access. These adjustments, while minor, allow for us to draw conclusions about
the population of 18-29 year olds, based on our sample.
A word about the sub-samples. The college sub-sample is exclusively those students who reported that they
were enrolled in a four-year degree program at the college level. The non-college sample is not currently
enrolled in a four-year program but does represent varied educational backgrounds including high school
students, community college and 2-year-college students, graduate programs students, students enrolled in other
degree granting programs, and students not enrolled in any form of education at the time of the survey.