2023 Best Christian Colleges & Universities | Top 25 Consensus Ranked Christian Schools & Universities 2023 (2024)

2023 Best Christian Colleges & Universities | Top 25 Consensus Ranked Christian Schools & Universities 2023 (1)

The College Consensus ranking of the Best Christian Colleges combines the published rankings of a wide selection of trusted media outlets, with the more trustworthy student review sites, to determine the overall most highly regarded explicitly Christian schools (see also:). Christian students of all denominations often find that a college experience rooted in their faith is the right choice for them, and with College Consensus’ all-encompassing method, prospective students can trust that their choice passes muster with the experts and the students alike.

American Christianity is a highly diverse, multi-faceted creature, with hundreds of denominations, and the higher education landscape dotted with Christian colleges and universities just like the real landscape is dotted with churches. Small and large, Christian college campuses run the gamut, including schools rooted in the liberal arts, universities focused on research and professional education, and colleges dedicated to building an ethical, service-oriented workforce. For Christian students who find that education in a Christian setting fits their needs, the College Consensus Best Christian Colleges ranking gives direction and focus to a search that could range near and far.

How Do We Make Our Ranking of the Best Christian Colleges?

College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.

The Christian Colleges & Universities category is limited to schools with a public mission of providing an explicitly Christian education. Schools that did not qualify for a Consensus Score were ranked by their Student Review score.

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What’s Different About the College Consensus Ranking?

As an innovative, aggregate ranking, College Consensus crosses all kinds of boundaries, treating students who have experienced college life with the same seriousness as the published experts who dominate college rankings. The Consensus method is designed to give the full view of the landscape, taking into consideration the voices of all of higher education’s stakeholders. With College Consensus, students can trust that they’re getting the facts, and nothing but the facts, converted into the most unbiased, comprehensive ranking yet.

Note:The Top Consensus Ranked Christian Colleges are listed in descending order by their Consensus score. In the event of ties, schools are ranked in alphabetical order with the same rank number.

1Goshen CollegeGoshen

83

College Consensus

81.1

Student Consensus

84.9

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

2College of the OzarksPoint Lookout

80.4

College Consensus

76.2

Student Consensus

84.7

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

3Taylor UniversityUpland

77.3

College Consensus

80.7

Student Consensus

73.9

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

4Cedarville UniversityCedarville

73.4

College Consensus

84.1

Student Consensus

62.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

5Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids

69.5

College Consensus

79.1

Student Consensus

59.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

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6Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst

67.9

College Consensus

81.7

Student Consensus

54

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

7Baylor UniversityWaco

67.8

College Consensus

81

Student Consensus

54.7

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

8Wheaton CollegeWheaton

67.2

College Consensus

76.9

Student Consensus

57.5

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

9Earlham CollegeRichmond

66.3

College Consensus

78

Student Consensus

54.6

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

10Whitworth UniversitySpokane

66.1

College Consensus

75.8

Student Consensus

56.3

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

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11Pepperdine UniversityMalibu

66

College Consensus

82.5

Student Consensus

49.5

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

12Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego

64.7

College Consensus

76.6

Student Consensus

52.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

13Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg

63.6

College Consensus

74.4

Student Consensus

52.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

14Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara

62.1

College Consensus

81.2

Student Consensus

43

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

15Oklahoma Baptist UniversityShawnee

59.5

College Consensus

75.7

Student Consensus

43.3

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

16Samford UniversityBirmingham

59.4

College Consensus

81.8

Student Consensus

37.1

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

17Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor

59.3

College Consensus

70.1

Student Consensus

48.6

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

18Hope CollegeHolland

57.4

College Consensus

78.1

Student Consensus

36.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

19Gordon CollegeWenham

56.7

College Consensus

79.3

Student Consensus

34.2

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

20Harding UniversitySearcy

50.9

College Consensus

77

Student Consensus

24.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

21Bethel University (MN)Saint Paul

50.5

College Consensus

76.1

Student Consensus

24.8

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

22George Fox UniversityNewberg

44.9

College Consensus

83.2

Student Consensus

6.6

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

23Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque

51.8

College Consensus

90.4

Student Consensus

37.7

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

24Corban UniversitySalem

45

College Consensus

83.3

Student Consensus

13.2

Publisher Consensus

Last Accessed: March, 2023

25William Carey UniversityHattiesburg

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What’s the Difference Between a Bible School and Christian Universities?

Although there are many similarities between a Bible college and Christian universities, there are also some differences. The most significant difference is the end goal of the graduates. A Bible school primarily prepares students for full-time service in ministry, whereas Christian universities offer a wide range of studies in many different career fields, from liberal arts to medicine. Most Christian universities also offer degrees in ministry studies. The main difference is that Bible colleges will only offer degrees in ministry, whereas Christian universities will offer both.Both of these Christian institutions offer the student body an education from a Christian worldview.

What Kinds of Christian Colleges and Universities are There?

Just as there are many different types of Christian denominations and churches, also there are many different types of Christian colleges and universities. Although many schools simply advertise themselves as “Christian” upon further investigation, you will find that most Christian colleges and Bible colleges are foundationally associated with certain denominations. Baptist colleges are often associated with Baptist conventions or specific churches. Many of these schools are considered fundamental Christian colleges. This means that the school will have strict rules concerning student body dress code, conduct, church attendance, and other things.

If you have specific preferences about the type of Christian college you attend, it is important to do your research. Many schools which advertise themselves as evangelical colleges, may not line up with your personal belief statement or theology. Non-denominational colleges attempt to provide a private Christian university education free from many of the divisive denominational issues.

Do I Have to Identify as Christian to Attend a Christian College?

There are many Christian colleges that do require a personal statement of faith from the student before they will accept them for enrollment. You will need to research the requirements for each school. For schools that do not require this, it is important to note that most Christian schools will require church attendance and other Christian activities in order to stay in good standing, even for students who do not identify as Christian.

Where Can I Find a Christian College?

Christian colleges are found all over the United State of America. The best way to find Christian universities in your state is by conducting an internet search. There is a wide variety of Christian universities in California (California Baptist University). Many students are attracted to Christian universities in California due to the great weather and helpful student aid packages offered there. There’s also a large mormon population in Utah (Brigham Young University).

If you are not looking to move to the west coast, you can also find a host of Christian colleges in PA. Pennsylvania has a long-standing religious history and it shows in the wide variety of Christian colleges in PA.

Considering the long Christian history in New England in general, there are many great Biblecolleges and Christian universitiesin New England, as well as many Christian colleges in New York as well as Maine Christian colleges and Bible colleges.

If you are looking for wide-open spaces, another hot spot for Christian colleges and Bible colleges is in Texas (Baylor University). The Christian colleges in Texas are very diverse. Many people appreciate the fact that Bible colleges and Christian universities in Texas often offer high-ranking competitive sports in addition to a marketable Christian education.

Down south in the Bible belt, not only will you find an abundance of Baptist churches, but you will also find some of the best Christian colleges in the south (Southern Methodist University). Some may seek a small private university for spiritual growth in a place like the Carolinas or Georgia. Many southern towns provide small, homey campuses with a robust academic offering. Many find this to be the best of both worlds when looking for the best Christian colleges in the south.

Related:

2023 Best Christian Colleges & Universities | Top 25 Consensus Ranked Christian Schools & Universities 2023 (2024)

FAQs

2023 Best Christian Colleges & Universities | Top 25 Consensus Ranked Christian Schools & Universities 2023? ›

Crown College

Located in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, Crown is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, has received a number of recognitions nationally. The school has an acceptance rate of just 28%.

What Christian college has the lowest acceptance rate? ›

Crown College

Located in Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, Crown is affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, has received a number of recognitions nationally. The school has an acceptance rate of just 28%.

What is the Harvard of Christian Schools? ›

Wheaton College has often been described as the Harvard of Christian schools due to its academic and spiritual disciplines.

What is the difference between a Christian university and a Bible college? ›

Both Bible and Christian colleges grant associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. However, Bible colleges mainly offer undergraduate degrees. They may also issue certificates or diplomas in specialized Christian training when a degree isn't required.

Are there any Ivy League Christian schools? ›

All of the schools in the Ivy League are private and not currently associated with any religion.

What is the hardest college to get admitted? ›

#1 Harvard University

We're sure you won't be surprised to learn that Harvard is currently the hardest college to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 3.19%. Last year, 61,220 students applied to Harvard, but only 1,950 were accepted.

What are the three hardest colleges to get into? ›

Harvard, Stanford and Princeton, unsurprisingly, are America's toughest colleges to get into in 2023, according to Niche's most recent rankings.

What accreditation should a Bible college have? ›

ABHE's Commission on Accreditation accredits institutions and programs of biblical higher education within Canada, the United States, and related territories.

How to choose the right Bible college? ›

Top criteria when choosing a Bible college
  1. Vocation, believes and good academics. ...
  2. Credibility. ...
  3. Affordability. ...
  4. Students' life. ...
  5. Location. ...
  6. Post-graduate education. ...
  7. For more information regarding Bible colleges, feel free to contact ITAA now.

What is it called when you study the Bible in college? ›

Theology is essentially a study of scripture. Theology comes from combining two Greek words: theos, meaning God, and logos, meaning word or rational thought. So theology is God-thought or rational reasoning about God.

What is the biggest religious school? ›

While Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, is best known as the evangelical school in the United States, GCU is reputed to be larger and the largest Christian university in the United States. While GCU is a for-profit university, Liberty is not-for-profit.

What religion is Yale affiliated with? ›

U.S. Congregationalist theological education was the motivation at the founding of Yale, and the professional school has its roots in a Theological Department established in 1822.

What church is Yale affiliated with? ›

Founded in 1757, Yale separated from the established Congregational church of New Haven (now Center Church on the Green) to form its own Congregational Church on campus for students and faculty called the Church of Christ in Yale.

What is the religious affiliation of the Ivy League schools? ›

Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth were founded by Calvinists. The University of Pennsylvania and Columbia were founded by the Church of England. Brown was founded by Baptists but was open to people of other religious affiliations, and Cornell was nonsectarian (largely due to its non-colonial establishment).

Is Yale still religious? ›

The university has announced that as of July its chapel will no longer be affiliated with United Church of Christ, the successor to what was once referred to as the Congregational church.

What religion was Harvard? ›

Harvard College was founded in 1636 as a Puritan/Congregationalist institution and trained ministers for many years.

What is the least accepting college? ›

Among the institutions with the lowest acceptance rate, colleges included, UCLA is the only public university with the lowest acceptance rate while the college with the lowest acceptance rate is Dartmouth College. The rest of the U.S. higher educational institutions with low acceptance rates are privately-owned.

What college has 100 percent acceptance? ›

Colleges with the Highest Acceptance Rates - Top 100
SchoolLocationFall 2021 Acceptance Rate
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA100%
Adams State UniversityAlamosa, CO100%
Alliance UniversityNew York, NY100%
Baptist College of FloridaGraceville, FL100%
17 more rows

What GPA is required for Harvard? ›

You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

Which prestigious college is easiest to get into? ›

Cornell is considered the "easiest" Ivy League to get into because it has the highest Ivy League acceptance rate.

What is the #1 college ever? ›

Stanford University

#1 Best Colleges in California.

What is the 2 hardest college to get into? ›

The 25 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in 2023
  • 1) Harvard University.
  • 2) Columbia University.
  • 3) Caltech.
  • 4) Stanford University.
  • 5) MIT.
  • 6) Princeton University.
  • 7) Yale University.
  • 8) Brown University.
Nov 11, 2022

Is there a free Bible college? ›

Christian Leaders College and Institute makes free Bible College Courses available to you. You get access to over 100 free classes where you can earn credentials that will help you in your personal growth and/or your ministry.

What is the most recognized college accreditation? ›

Nationally-Accredited Institution

Considered the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, regionally-accredited schools are reviewed by their designated regional agency.

Is there a difference between Bible college and seminary? ›

The main difference between seminaries and Bible colleges is the focus of their curriculums. Seminaries tend to focus more on developing students' understanding of theology and biblical studies, while Bible colleges provide more practical training in ministry and religious education.

What is #1 study Bible? ›

The #1 selling study Bible, the Life Application Study Bible is the most complete single-volume Bible every compiled, with more than 10,000 notes, charts, maps, timelines, profiles and more.

What is the best type of Bible study? ›

Literal Translations

These provide the closest translation to the original language. They can be the best choices for studying the Bible as long as they represent your preferred reading level.

Is a biblical studies degree worth it? ›

What can you do with a degree in biblical studies? Plenty! Earning a degree in biblical studies can be the launching point for a number of faith- and service-oriented vocations, as well as a foundational degree for those planning to enroll in seminary or in a graduate school of religion.

What are the 4 types of theology? ›

So what are the four types of theology? The four types include biblical theology, historical theology, systematic (or dogmatic) theology, and practical theology.

What is the difference between theology and Bible school? ›

So, what is the difference? Theology is the study of God while biblical studies is the study of the Bible itself. When you use the lens of biblical studies, you will study the Bible book by book. Theology takes a more topical approach.

Is Bible college a real degree? ›

In short, Bible college is a real degree if it is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is an example of a Christian college that offers accredited undergraduate degrees.

Which religious institution is the richest? ›

List of wealthiest religious organizations
OrganizationWorth (billion USD)Country
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints100.0United States
Sree Venkateswara Swamy Temple30.0India
Catholic Church in Germany26.0Germany
Catholic Church in France23.0France
9 more rows

What is the most educated religious community in the US? ›

Hindus are the most educated — based on college degrees — among US religious groups, followed by Unitarians Universalists, Jews, Anglicans and congregants of the Episcopal Church, according to a new study.

What are the top 5 most educated religion in the world? ›

He found that Hindus, Jews, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Buddhists, and Orthodox Christians have the highest levels of education. Catholics, Mormons, and Muslims are at about the national average. Jehovah's Witnesses have by far the lowest education. Evangelicals are somewhat below the national average.

What Bible does Yale have? ›

The Yale copy of the Gutenberg Bible was a gift by Mrs. Edward S. Harkness to the University in 1926, in memory of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Stephen V.

Does Yale have a Catholic church on campus? ›

Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center at Yale University.

Does Yale have a church on campus? ›

The University Church in Yale is a diverse community of Christian students, faculty, staff and neighbors at Yale.

What is the oldest Bible at Yale University? ›

The Gutenberg Bible is one of the treasures of Yale University's Beinecke Library — the first book printed with movable type in Europe. Now it has a companion, a much older Japanese scroll made with an earlier form of printing, and one of the oldest known printed objects in the world.

What colleges are connected to a religious faith? ›

Top 25 Best Top Religiously Affiliated Colleges
  • 1 Duke University. Methodists and Quakers founded Duke University in 1838. ...
  • 2 University of Notre Dame. ...
  • 3 Georgetown University. ...
  • 4 Hillsdale College. ...
  • 5 Emory University. ...
  • 6 Boston College. ...
  • 7 Davidson College. ...
  • 8 Villanova University.
Dec 21, 2022

Where do Harvard students go to church? ›

Paul Parish is the Harvard Catholic Center, an active chaplaincy to undergraduates and graduate and professional students at Harvard University and other academic institutions in the area.

What college has 1 acceptance rate? ›

Among the institutions with the lowest acceptance rate, colleges included, UCLA is the only public university with the lowest acceptance rate while the college with the lowest acceptance rate is Dartmouth College. The rest of the U.S. higher educational institutions with low acceptance rates are privately-owned.

What college has lowest acceptance rate? ›

Here is the list of 30 educational institutes with the lowest acceptance rates:
  • Tulane University (USA) ...
  • Northwestern University (USA) ...
  • Cornell University (USA) ...
  • Johns Hopkins University (USA) ...
  • Dartmouth College (USA) ...
  • Duke University (USA) ...
  • Vanderbilt University (USA) ...
  • National University of Singapore (Singapore)
May 13, 2023

What is the lowest college GPA acceptance? ›

Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.

What college has the lowest GPA acceptance rate? ›

In addition, the universities accept low GPA or no minimum GPA as part of the admission requirements.
  • Albany State University. ...
  • American InterContinental University. ...
  • Arkansas State University. ...
  • Arkansas Tech University. ...
  • Capella University. ...
  • Colorado Technical University. ...
  • East Coast Polytechnic Institute University.
Feb 5, 2023

Is there any college with a 100% acceptance rate? ›

Established in 1911 in southwestern Utah, Dixie State University features a 100% acceptance rate. The campus, which sits adjacent to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, serves more than 11,000 students, about 60% of whom attend full time. Dixie maintains a 20-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

What is the lowest rated college in the US? ›

The worst-value colleges in the US
University nameEconomic score
1. Berklee College of Music20.9
2. Alabama State University14.4
3. Florida National University14.0
4. Clark Atlanta University13.2
17 more rows
Mar 28, 2023

What is the most selective state school? ›

The two top public schools among National Universities in the U.S. News rankings, the University of California—Los Angeles and University of California—Berkeley, had fall 2018 acceptance rates of 14% and 15%, respectively.

What is the 5 hardest college to get into? ›

Here is a look at Niche's 50 toughest colleges to get into and the competitive acceptance rates that make them so prestigious.
  1. Harvard University.
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Princeton University. ...
  4. 4. California Institute of Technology. ...
  5. Yale University. ...
  6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ...
  7. University of Chicago. ...
  8. Columbia University. ...
Sep 15, 2022

What is the lowest GPA to go to Harvard? ›

You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

What is the lowest GPA for Harvard? ›

After being admitted with a 3.0 or higher grade-point average (GPA), you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be considered in good academic standing. If your GPA falls below 2.0, you are in poor academic standing.

What major requires the lowest GPA? ›

Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average.

What is the lowest GPA to get into an Ivy League school? ›

None of the Ivy League schools have a minimum GPA requirement for applications, which means anyone can apply with any GPA.

How to raise your GPA? ›

Here are some tips on how to improve your GPA.
  1. Attend Classes Regularly. As obvious as this sounds, it's a very important step. ...
  2. Avoid Classes You Don't Need. ...
  3. Reach Out to Your Instructors. ...
  4. Turn in Assignments on Time. ...
  5. Join a Study Group. ...
  6. Do a Weekly Study Review. ...
  7. Set Goals for Yourself. ...
  8. Make Use of Educational Resources.
Nov 14, 2021

What is the highest GPA ever recorded? ›

Normally, you would expect the highest score to be the 'perfect' 4.0 score, however, there are several things that a student can do to receive an even higher score. For example, one student actually managed to get a 10.03 GPA score. He did this by taking 17 advanced classes at his school, which awarded him many points.

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