Among Black Americans, the educational divide in friendship is even starker: Roughly 1 in 3 (35%) Black Americans with a high school education or less report having no close friends, compared to 11% of Black college graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spokeo<\/a> used Survey Center on American Life<\/a> survey data to examine how friendships and networks differ between college-educated Americans and those without a four-year college degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Search by name, phone, address, or email to confidentially look up information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Spokeo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A four-year college degree is much more than a “piece of paper,” according to Daniel Cox, director of the Survey Center on American Life. The college experience provides a rich social environment for fostering important lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It’s an incredibly important social experience,” Cox told Stacker. “You learn how to socialize. You are put in a variety of different settings. You’re allowed to connect with various different types of people.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox notes that despite demanding course loads, most college students have considerable free time for socializing. The structured college environment and on-campus living, in some cases, fosters long-term social benefits. Many college graduates point to their college years as the period when they formed their most important and formative relationships, Cox said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the American Social Capital Survey, college graduates are more likely to have at least six close friends, at 25% versus 17%. Roughly 1 in 3 Americans have three to four close friends, and 1 in 4 have six or more close friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n College life also often includes participation in nonacademic activities like clubs, cultural activities, sports, and political organizations. These activities usually provide opportunities to develop social and emotional skills and build relationships and teamwork while navigating diverse social environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, distinct from the social benefits of college, Cox pointed to the decline in membership in labor unions and religious communities, two institutions that historically fostered social connections among Americans who did not pursue higher education. Union membership dropped to an all-time low of 7% in 2024, down from a peak of around 1 in 3 American workers in the 1950s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “As people spent less time in these [unions and religious organizations] places, they were less involved in these communities, and their opportunities to build close and lasting relationships with people in their community deteriorated,” Cox said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find information about anyone with just their name and basic information with an advanced people search<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Americans without a college degree have less social engagement overall. Nearly 4 in 5 (79%) of those with a high school diploma or less say they rarely or never volunteer in their community. Additionally, 3 in 4 seldom or never attend local events or community meetings, and about 2 in 3 (65%) rarely or never participate in social gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Americans with higher education levels are more likely to participate in civic organizations; college graduates are nearly three times as likely to join nonreligious community groups, according to the survey. Meanwhile, Americans without college degrees participate minimally, if at all, in civic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n College graduates are also more likely to join hobby or activity groups than their counterparts (25% versus 9%), participate in neighborhood associations or community groups (24% versus 9%), and take part in sports leagues or workout groups (16% versus 5%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n oneinchpunch \/\/ Shutterstock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The social advantages of a bachelor’s degree extend beyond one’s time in college. After graduation, the job stability and workplace dynamics that often come with a degree further enhance social opportunities, according to Cox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You’re working more regular shifts at a 9-to-5 schedule. You’re working often with teams,” he said. “Even [post-COVID-19 pandemic], when a lot of us are working remotely, there’s still an awful lot of time you spend working with other people, collaborating. \u2026 And so there’s an important social component to the time people spend in the office.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those without college degrees, their employment situation often involves gig work, or jobs with high turnover rates and irregular schedules, Cox noted. “You don’t have the opportunities to form longer-lasting relationships,” he said. “There may not be opportunities to socialize after work or even at work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, higher earnings and greater financial stability among college graduates often translate to more disposable income and free time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n College graduates tend to have higher earnings compared to those whose highest level of education is a high school diploma. And while connections form across economic lines, earnings differences can strain friendships<\/a>, according to a 2024 Bread Financial study on financial incompatibility. One in 5 (21%) respondents have lost a friendship over money, and 1 in 4 (26%) felt financially incompatible with their friends, according to the study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Cox says, college-educated Americans often have the flexibility and disposable income to participate in activities like fitness classes, gyms, and sports clubs. Having the means to take a yoga class or join a gym can make finding pathways to community engagement easier. In contrast, those without a degree are likelier to work irregular shifts or gig jobs, making it harder to find the time or resources for these hobbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Got a call from an unknown number? Find out who\u2019s behind it just by entering their number using a Reverse Phone Lookup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSEARCH FOR ANYONE, CONFIDENTIALLY<\/h3>\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow higher education builds social networks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
College as a social launchpad<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
STOP WONDERING WHO WITH PEOPLE SEARCH<\/h3>\n
Civic engagement and community ties by education level<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow employment patterns affect friendship<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The social divide in work environments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NO MORE UNKNOWN CALLERS<\/h3>\n
Community building in a changing social landscape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n