Study Examines Antisemitism Among US Graduate Students
A new Brandeis University report explores levels of prejudice and hostility toward specific groups on American campuses.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Judaism
Live Poll
Do you trust US universities to effectively address prejudice among their graduate student populations?
The Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University released a report in October 2026 analyzing prejudice among 3,107 graduate students. Researchers utilized Latent Class Analysis to identify patterns of hostility across 222 US colleges and universities.
Why it matters
This study was initiated to address a significant lack of data regarding campus climate for graduate students. The findings provide a quantitative look at how specific prejudicial sentiments manifest within this academic demographic.
The survey of 3,107 graduate students across 222 universities found that 62% expressed low levels of prejudice, while 12% showed anti-Black resentment. Additionally, 26% of humanities PhD students identified as hostile toward Israel.
The players
Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies
This research institution based at Brandeis University focuses on the study of modern Jewish life and communities.
Generation Lab
This organization specializes in conducting large-scale opinion research and data collection among student populations.
The details
Researchers employed Latent Class Analysis on ten specific prejudicial statements to categorize student sentiment. The data revealed that 4% of students demonstrated anti-Asian and anti-Muslim resentment, while 79% of the total cohort stated that violence is never acceptable.
Timeline
The survey was administered online between March 5, 2026, and April 30, 2026.
The final research report was published in October 2026.
Culture Shift
This research follows a pattern set by the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies campus climate research series. It highlights a broader societal shift toward quantifying campus attitudes in an increasingly polarized academic environment.
This research provides students and faculty with data regarding the prevailing sentiments within their academic communities. Readers can use these findings to better understand the current landscape of discourse and prejudice on university campuses.
The takeaway
Understanding the prevalence of these sentiments can help academic institutions develop more effective strategies for fostering inclusive environments. University stakeholders may use this baseline data to address specific areas of concern identified within their student bodies.
Further reading
For additional context on religious and cultural trends, explore the Judaism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Live Poll
Do you trust US universities to effectively address prejudice among their graduate student populations?
