Conservative activism is gaining momentum on college campuses, challenging the traditional perception of young voters as predominantly liberal.
At a Glance
- Conservative student organizations report significant membership growth
- Events featuring conservative speakers are drawing large student audiences
- Young male voters are increasingly aligning with conservative ideologies
- Liberal student activism remains prevalent, but the political landscape is diversifying
Conservative Wave on Campus
In recent years, college campuses have witnessed a notable rise in conservative activism, challenging the longstanding stereotype of young voters leaning predominantly liberal. Organizations like Turning Point USA (TPUSA) and Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) have been instrumental in this shift, establishing a presence on numerous campuses nationwide. TPUSA, founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, now boasts chapters on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the United States. Similarly, YAL, established in 2008, is active on nearly 400 campuses, advocating for libertarian principles.
These organizations have successfully organized events featuring prominent conservative figures, drawing substantial student participation. For instance, on April 8, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk attracted hundreds of attendees during a tour stop at Illinois State University. Such events not only provide platforms for conservative discourse but also foster a sense of community among like-minded students.
Watch WGLT’s coverage of Charlie Kirk’s event at Illinois State University.
Changing Political Dynamics
The political inclinations of young voters are evolving. Data from the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University indicates that while young voters favored Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by 52% to 46% nationally in the 2024 election, there was a clear uptick in youth support for Trump compared to 2020. Notably, young male voters are showing a pronounced shift toward conservative ideologies.
A Vanity Fair article recently highlighted this trend, reporting that many Gen Z men are aligning with conservatism as a form of rebellion against what they see as leftist overreach and pandemic-era restrictions. Similarly, The Wall Street Journal reported rising engagement in College Republican chapters, spurred by dissatisfaction with progressive orthodoxy and campus political clashes.
At the University of Pennsylvania, both College Republicans and Penn Democrats saw membership gains ahead of the 2024 election. The increase suggests students are engaging more actively across the ideological spectrum.
Implications for the Political Landscape
The rise of conservative youth activism is prompting both major parties to rethink their outreach. Democrats are working to sustain their traditional dominance among younger voters, while Republicans are seizing the opportunity to court what is now a more ideologically mixed demographic.
Carrie Donovan, a conservative commentator, emphasized this shift: “A lot of people still assume that college students are very liberal based on how young people used to be. It’s definitely not like that; the difference is only maybe five percentage points, not 30.” Doug McGregor of the College Republicans echoed the sentiment, attributing their recent growth to strong leadership: “The big thing has been this President and his vision drawing the students in, and then we as College Republicans get them involved. We were able to provide a real army.”
While liberal activism still holds sway at many institutions, this conservative momentum is reshaping political discourse on campus and could influence national politics for years to come.
