Can higher education increase students’ moral reasoning? The role of student engagement in the U.S.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationships between different types of student engagement and moral reasoning development among U.S. college students. Using the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, a longitudinal dataset, and applying fixed-effect and random-effects models, the results indicate that various types of student engagement, including honors programs, participation in undergraduate research, and the frequency of nonclassroom interaction with faculty, improve students’ moral reasoning. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of student engagement in the development of moral reasoning.