Self-described independents outnumbered Republicans, and the share of students who said they vote third-party is much higher than that of the general population. That makes MSU less progressive than the most selective private institutions and far less conservative than religious colleges.

The survey asked students to reflect on their votes in the last presidential election. Just 2% of those who voted for Kamala Harris said they regretted that choice, compared to 12% of those who didn’t vote, 24% of those who voted third party, and 15% of those who voted for President Donald Trump, who ultimately won in Michigan by a thin margin.

Those sentiments seem “perfectly understandable,” said Bernie Porn, president of EPIC MRA, a Lansing-based survey research firm. He said polling in Michigan and nationally has found that voters are rethinking their choices in 2024.

Of the quarter of MSU third-party voters who expressed regret, Porn said “these folks who voted for other candidates might be thinking, ‘well had I not voted for this candidate with no chance of winning, I might have been able to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.’”

Of the regretful Trump voters, Porn said he believes that number could be even greater today. “The world has changed dramatically” in the months since The State News conducted the survey, he said, pointing to polls that show many Americans are upset about recent immigration enforcement crackdowns, as well as rising costs associated with Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran.

Polarization of students varied. Asked how well they are represented by each party, Democrats rejected the Republican party far more strongly than Republicans rejected Democrats. Both groups overwhelmingly said they feel represented by their own party.