Sexuality education programs have been prevalent in U.S. public schools for decades (Cornblatt, 2009). Although strong public support exists for school-based sexuality education (e.g., Albert, 2007; Dailard, 2001), there is a great divide among parents, policy makers, and the public at large regarding how to prevent sexual activity (and its negative consequences) among teenagers. Most adults surveyed believe that sex education programs should promote abstinence as the best behavioral goal for adolescents; however, more heated debate surrounds whether this should be the only message or one element of a more comprehensive presentation of safer sex choices (Albert, 2007; Dailard, 2001). The present study surveyed undergraduate students who were in middle and high school at a time when federal support was only available for abstinence-only sex education programs. The authors compared those who reported receiving each type of program on various self-reported knowledge, attitude, belief, and behavioral outcomes, with an emphasis on what core components of effective programming were associated with less sexual risk taking. (Contains 4 tables.)