Pepperdine University – Malibu, CA
Religious Affiliation: Church of Christ
Located in the scenic Santa Monica foothills, Pepperdine University was founded by Christian businessman George Pepperdine in 1937. It is an institution with a strong academic reputation and Christian ethos. Some of the more popular majors here are business, marketing, communication and social sciences, with an impressive overall student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. This university is highly selective with an acceptance rate of 37%, but it provides a comprehensive curriculum for students aspiring for different fields of study as well as an active Greek life.
Covenant College – Lookout Mountain, GA
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian
Founded in 1955, Covenant College (CC) offers over 20 undergraduate degree programs and 2 graduate degree programs—at an average tuition fee of $29,000 per year. The teachings of Christ are strongly inculcated with the curriculum as students are expected to fully-grow in their faith, Christian service and master Biblical knowledge. There are several extracurricular activities as well such as intramural sports which 75% of the student body participates in. Finally, with an acceptance rate of 57%, CC should be taken into consideration by any student looking for an education in the liberal arts within a religious community.
Grove City College – Grove City, PA
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian
Grove City College offers more than 50 academic programs. It focuses on maintaining a religious community of students that are required to attend chapel at least 16 times a semester and encourages participation in other faith-based activities. However, it is also a religiously diverse community made up of different Christian denominations. Providing a liberal arts education at an average tuition cost of $14,880, students are encouraged to apply to this college as it also has a generous acceptance rate of 84%.
Marylhurst University – Marylhurst, OR
Religious Affiliation: Catholicism
Marylhurst University (MU) is known for its accelerated MBA program, which allows students to earn their degree in 18 months. Students will find that the tuition costs of undergraduate and graduate courses will range from $437 to $578 per credit hour. Moreover, MU applicants may range from a high school graduate to mid-career professional, as it does not make SAT or ACT scores compulsory for admissions. Another strong point of the university is that it does not have any particular faith requirements of its faculty and students.
LeTourneau University – Longview, TX
Religious Affiliation: Christian (interdenominational)
Founded in 1946 by R.G. LeTourneau, LeTourneau University (LETU) has strong engineering and aeronautical science programs. This university has also received awards and recognitions for its online academic programs, especially for those degrees that are business and psychology-related. However, all these programs are infused with Christian ethic that encourages vocational training and interaction with people from different faiths. With an acceptance rate of 41% and an even higher retention rate of 78%, this university with its over 90 graduate and undergraduate academic programs may be worth looking into.
Calvin College – Grand Rapids, MI
Religious Affiliation: Christian Reformed Church
Founded in 1876 and named after the famous protestant reformer, John Calvin, Calvin College (CC) is renowned for its rich liberal arts education. With an acceptance rate of 75% and graduation rate of 77%, students may choose to major in over 115 areas of study such as business, education, biology, engineering, nursing, psychology, social work and biochemistry. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and an active worship community where different denominations may be represented, CC provides a solid education that is strongly influenced by Christian teachings.
College of the Ozarks – Point Lookout, MO
Religious Affiliation: Christian (nondenominational)
College of the Ozarks (CO) is one of the most affordable colleges in the country; it charges absolutely no tuition. Run by donations and a strong student work program, CO attracts students with an education that combines both thorough academic training and a practical hands-on approach to real world responsibilities. This college is highly selective with an acceptance rate of only 13%, but provides students with the sense of worth they’re looking for by offering over 40 majors in different areas of study.
Liberty University – Lynchburg, VA
Religious Affiliation: Baptist
Liberty University (LU) offers up to 160 fully accredited programs in a variety of fields. LU fuses its strong academic reputation with Christian integrity by maintaining a conservative evangelical setting. There are multiple enrollment dates, online courses, varying fee structures and more that allows students a lot of flexibility and a range of studying options. Also up for grabs is the innovative “Experiential Learning Credits”, where work experience is accepted as credit hours, a huge advantage for mid-career professionals.
Toccoa Falls College – Toccoa Falls, GA
Religious Affiliation: Christian Missionary Alliance
Founded in 1907, Toccoa Falls College (TFC) is another institution on this list that provides various academic programs, both online and on-campus. This college does not stray from its missionary roots, offering degrees such as Ministry Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Non-profit Business Administration and Youth Ministry. TFC also has a great deal of flexibility, offering courses at low cost and allowing applicants to enroll at any time of the year. With a small, tight-knight community, TFC provides an excellent education for those interested in business as well as religion.
Benedictine University – Lisle, IL
Religious Affiliation: Catholicism
Founded in 1887, the Benedictine University has a proud heritage of Benedictine Roman Catholicism and offers a variety of programs, both online and on campus. Academic degrees are available in traditional fields such as business, nursing, education, as well as other vocational fields. They are offered at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral to certificate and associate levels. Recognized for the high quality of its educational programs, this university also offers a lot of flexibility for non-traditional students such as stay-at-home parents or working professionals.
George Fox University – Portland, OR
Religious Affiliation: Evangelical Friends (Quakers)
Founded in 1885, George Fox University (GFU) offers about 40 undergraduate programs, 10 graduate programs and 3 doctoral degrees—all while maintaining an impressively low student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. With more than 3,500 students from its combined campuses in Portland, Newberg Redmond and Salem, GFU offers a strong academic education tied with deep spirituality. Several of its programs are also available online, including Online Management and Organizational Leadership, Education, Counseling, Seminary and Business Administration. With a generous acceptance rate of 75%, you may want to consider applying to this university.
Abilene Christian University – Abilene, TX
Religious Affiliation: Churches of Christ
Founded in 1906, Abilene Christian University (ACU) has long been recognized as the biggest U.S. institution that requires chapel attendance and Bible courses for its students, while offering many academic programs. Undergraduates may choose from 71 majors; graduate students may choose from 25 degrees and one doctoral program. ACU maintains a good 17:1 student-faculty ratio and an impressively high retention rate of 90% as well as a high graduation rate of 80%. Students interested in education, social work as well as human resource development might seriously want to consider ACU.
Union University – Jackson, TN
Religious Affiliation: Southern Baptist
Founded in 1823, Union University (UU) provides an education that is based on four main principles: excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused and future-directed. With an acceptance rate of 75% and a retention rate of 94%, UU prides itself on its strong Christian values and integration of religious teaching with academic life. Some of the popular majors offered here are health sciences and education, with a fully-online graduate degree in nursing. UU has an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
Geneva College – Beaver Falls, PA
Religious Affiliation: Reformed Presbyterian
Founded in 1848, Geneva College (GC) is a liberal arts college that offers undergraduate degrees in 36 fields, as well as 5 graduate programs. With an acceptance rate of 68%, GC also allows enrollment for adult students with flexible studying options such as online programs. With a good student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, GC fosters deep spiritual ties and encourages various extracurricular activities in sports, radio, choir, theater and ministry.
Gordon College – Wenham, MA
Religious Affiliation: Christian (non-denominational)
Founded in 1889, Gordon College (GC) offers a rich academic life with liberal arts degrees, small communities fostered by a spiritual bond and participation in chapel services and other religious activities. Education here is approached as a transformative force supported by five main principles: academic community, moral development, professional development, mentors and developing learning tools. It has an acceptance rate of 40%, and student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. GC offers 38 majors and 41 concentrations.
Wheaton College – Wheaton, IL
Religious Affiliation: Christian (non-denominational)
Founded in 1860 by anti-slavery activist Pastor Jonathan Blanchard, Wheaton College (WC) is renowned for its excellent liberal arts education and has the statistics (retention rate of 95% and graduation rate of 90%) to prove it. WC’s success lies in its extremely learned faculty and thriving religious communal life as there are several extracurricular activities and clubs devoted to the teachings of Christ. WC is also well-known for its rigorous undergraduate, graduate and PhD programs, which have an average student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.
Trinity University – San Antonio, TX
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian Church
Founded in 1869 as a private, liberal arts college, Trinity University provides an academic life that is in keeping with values of service and tolerance taught in Christianity, though there are no specific faith-based requirements. With an impressive retention rate of 89% and a thriving campus life (80% of students choose to stay on-campus), this university provides various opportunities for self-growth and achievement, which includes study abroad programs. Accepting more than 60% of applicants and developing close connections within its community of 2000 students, Trinity University offers an excellent option for your higher education aspirations.
Asbury University – Wilmore, KY
Religious Affiliation: Christian (non-denominational)
Founded in 1890 by John Wesley Hughes, Asbury University (AU) is a liberal arts university whose tradition stems from the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition but offers a wholesome Christian education and encourages religious diversity. The academic degrees offered here range from undergraduate to graduate programs with more than 50 majors and 38 minors. There are three prominent schools for undergraduate studies: College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and School of Communication. With an acceptance rate of 66% (which includes enrollment of adult students) and an active campus life, AU is worth checking out.
Whitworth University – Spokane, WA
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian Church
Whitworth University (WU) is a private liberal arts institute, which offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. Integrating academics with Christian values since 1890, WU provides students various opportunities for research, practica, internships and studying abroad.
Westmont College – Santa Barbara, CA
Religious Affiliation: Christian (nondenominational)
Founded in 1937, Westmont College (WC) is a private liberal arts college that offers 26 majors, 11 pre-professional programs and a secondary and elementary credentials program in both the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees. With a competitive student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and a high retention rate of 86%, WC ensures that its students incorporate Christianity in their lives with Christian faculty, religious activities and mandatory chapel attendance.
DePauw University – Greencastle, IN
Religious Affiliation: Methodist Episcopal Church
Founded in 1837, DePauw University offers and encourages religious diversity, as can be seen in its whopping 92% retention rate. Students may participate in active Greek life and other extra-curricular organizations, as well as religious activities. In terms of academics, the school of music is popular along with various other social science departments.
Colorado Christian University – Lakewood, CO
Religious Affiliation: Christian (interdenominational)
Founded in 1914, Colorado Christian University blends together an education that delivers on academic competence as well as Christian morality. Featuring a faculty composed mostly of Christians, this university may have everything you’re looking for in a Christian education. Best of all, its online programs allow “anytime access”. The university has an impressive 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Grand Canyon University – Phoenix, AZ
Religious Affiliation: Christian (interdenominational)
Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers its students a wide variety of academic programs that train them for mainly three career paths—nursing, business, and education. GCU also offers programs in performing arts, liberal arts, theology, digital design and health sciences.
Eastern Mennonite University – Harrisonburg, VA
Religious Affiliation: Mennonite Church
Situated in the historic and the absolutely stunning Shenandoah Valley, Eastern Mennonite University offers the ideal campus life with a strong focus on cross-cultural awareness and empathy. Home to the world-renowned The Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, 37% of the incoming freshmen represent various ethnicities. The undergraduate student-teacher ratio is 10:1, ensuring maximum attention for every student. In addition, Leymah Gbowee, a Nobel Laureate, is an alumna of Eastern Mennonite University. A Liberian peace activist, Ms. Gbowee was responsible for leading a women's peace movement that helped bring an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.
Baylor University – Waco, TX
Religious Affiliation: Baptist
Founded in 1845, Baylor University (BU) has a large student community of over 12,000, all involved in faith-based activities such as chapel service and volunteering. But while Christian values are dominant at BU, you will find a high degree of religious diversity here as well, with Judaism, Greek Orthodox and others represented as well. BU offers its students a rich academic life with around 150 bachelor degree programs, 76 master and 22 PhD programs, all with varying career paths.
Ohio Christian University
Ohio Christian University is a renowned educational institution located in Circleville, Ohio. It was established in 1948 as a Bible college to help educate clergy for the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. Over the decades, Ohio Christian University expanded its services by adding undergraduate and graduate level degrees to its curriculum. Students can now pursue higher studies in a vast range of academic disciplines such as human services, management, business, psychology, and business and governance. Ohio Christian University has integrated faith and learning to help students develop spiritually, psychologically and academically.
Samford University - Homewood, Alabama
Religious affiliation - Alabama Baptist Convention
Founded in 1841 by the Alabama Baptist State Convention, Samford University is located in Homewood, Alabama. This Christian university is divided into eight different schools, each with its own dean. These schools include: The Howard College of Arts and Science; Brock School of Business; Beeson Divinity School; Beeson School of Education & Professional Studies; Cumberland School of Law; Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing; the School of Arts; and The McWhorter School of Pharmacy.
The university was ranked #3 by U.S. News & World Report on its list of Southern Regional Universities, and has an excellent faculty. This is illustrated by the fact that over 90% of the faculty employed at Samford has earned the highest degree possible in their respective fields of study. In addition to having an excellent academic track record, SU offers its students the chance to be a part of a community that fosters intellect, faith, and social and civic responsibility.
Samford University also has a 77% acceptance rate coupled with a low student to teacher ratio, 12:1.
Dallas Baptist University – Dallas, TX
Religious Affiliation: Baptist
Founded in 1898, Dallas Baptist University (DBU) provides a faith-integrated education. Accepting 41% of the applicants, DBU has very competitive undergraduate and graduate programs with an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1. It also hosts a renowned online education program as well, boasting a 92% student completion rate. Religion is important in this university with campus ministries, monthly forums, weekly chapels and several key student events such as Live Pure and Spiritual Rush.
Austin College – Sherman, TX
Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian Church
Founded in 1876, Austin College is a private liberal arts college that provides a religious-minded academic life. With a number of clubs and Christianity-based activities, this college tends to develop close bonds between its small community by encouraging mentorship relationships and small class sizes. College’s statistics show 70% of students spending at least one semester abroad and 84% graduation rate.
American University – Washington, DC
Religious Affiliation: Methodist Episcopal Church
Founded in 1893, American University (AU or American) provides a secular education and campus life for its students, although students from various religions and denominations may find a like-minded community at the Kay Spiritual Life Center. Known for its rigorous international studies and political science degree programs, AU has a proven track record of student satisfaction with a 90% retention rate.
California Baptist University – Riverside, CA
Religious Affiliation: Baptist
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University (CBU) is a private liberal arts university that offers a Christ-centered education, which strives to give students the skills and sense of purpose they need to advance in life. Some of the most popular majors here are General Psychology, Registered Nursing, General Business/Commerce, Exercise Science, Liberal Arts and Science. CBU also has an extensive online education program, which traditional and non-traditional students can apply for. Offering 26 bachelor degree programs, 8 masters and 2 certificate programs, there are various options from which to choose, with the business degree program chosen by 76% of online pupils.
Religion and education don’t have to be poles apart when it comes to your future. By embracing life in one of these Christian colleges, you may be able to move towards professional as well as spiritual success.
