A new University of Florida study indicates that teens who consider themselves very religious are more likely to finish college than those who don't.

But no one can say why.

"For most religious communities represented in our study, there is a strong correlation between religiosity and degree attainment," Ana Puig, research director and affiliate faculty member in counselor education at UF's College of Education, said in a news release. "However, correlation does not mean causality."

The effect was most prominent among Muslim students, but found to be non-existent in religious groups that generally have high education attainment anyway, such as Jewish, Episcopalian and "Eastern religion" students.

The point? "Students and parents are saying that religion is an important part of their academic lives, and we need to listen to that," researcher Mary Ann Clark said.