<![CDATA[Character education for students in Islamic higher education requires evidence-based strengthening because students live under increasingly complex academic, social, and digital pressures. This study aims to analyze the influence of exemplary conduct and religious maturity on the character education of Ma’had Al-Jami’ah students at IAIN Ponorogo. This study focuses on three variables: exemplary conduct as X1, religious maturity as X2, and character education as Y. The study employed a quantitative approach with a correlational ex post facto design. The population consisted of 421 second-semester students living in Ma’had Al-Jami’ah. A sample of 200 students was selected through stratified random sampling based on gender proportion. Data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire. Instrument testing used Pearson Product Moment validity and Cronbach’s Alpha reliability. Data analysis involved prerequisite tests and partial regression tests using SPSS. The results show that exemplary conduct has a positive and significant effect on character education, with t = 5.769, p = 0.000, and R Square = 0.441. Religious maturity also has a positive and significant effect, with t = 2.221, p = 0.028, and R Square = 0.415. These findings confirm that character education in Ma’had should be developed through visible role modeling, value habituation, and mature religious understanding. The implication is that Ma’had managers need to design character-building programs that integrate behavioral models, religious reflection, and continuous evaluation.]]>
