Fraternity and Sorority Membership Linked to Higher Well-Being for College Graduates

Being part of the Greek system may have benefits that reach far beyond their college years, according to a recent Gallup Poll. Its findings were published on the Gallup Poll Blog on May 27, 2014. Gallup partnered with the National Panhellenic Conference and the North-American Interfraternity Conference to conduct this research. (Watch the video of the Gallop Poll findings below.) 

The survey of more than 30,000 college graduates across the United States finds that those who were members of fraternities or sororities are more likely to be “thriving” in their well-being and engaged at work more than college graduates who did not go Greek. 

The 16% of college graduates who were members of Greek organizations are more likely to report being emotionally supported and having experiential and deep learning activities while in college, all of which likely have contributed to their higher work engagement and well-being.

Fraternity and sorority members’ engagement advantage indicates that they are more likely to be intellectually and emotionally connected to their organizations and enthusiastic about their work. Overall, 43% of fraternity and sorority members who are employed full time for an employer are engaged in the workplace, compared with 38% of all other college graduates. 

Additionally, fraternity and sorority members are more likely than all other college graduates to be thriving in each of the five elements of well-being (purpose, physical, social, financial, and community). Thus, fraternity and sorority members are more likely than their non-Greek counterparts to find fulfillment in daily work and interactions, to have strong social relationships and access to the resources people need, to feel financially secure, to be physically healthy, and to take part in a true community.