Christian Colleges and More

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Christian Colleges and More</p>

<p>Some level setting. I am the father of five children and by profession a SVP of Human Resources. I have two children in college today – Wheaton College in Illinois and the U.S. Air Force Academy. We are of an evangelical Christian faith and politically conservative.</p>

<p>I have traveled in my career to dozens to more than 100 Colleges and Universities and even with my own children more than ten formal visits as a parent. I utilize US News, Forbes, Princeton Review, and more. I have come to be biased by faculty to student Ratios, freshmen retention, and graduation rates. I am equally biased against IVY League undergraduate schools based on their liberal out of touch with reality views, anti-Christian positioning, and more than anything else I do not see an economic value proposition for most families. I do see great value at the graduate level for “name” school education in many disciplines.</p>

<p>I have also come to realize that college choices have the most to do with each individual student – their wants, needs, areas of interests and academic abilities. An insight is that family income below $100K leads to lots of need based scholarship opportunity, but upper middle incomes of above $100K to $300K really find college expensive. Academic versus need based scholarships are more limited and the cost of college is mind bending expensive. However, through various ways of financing an education more often than not a private school can be less expensive than many state schools that really only help the lowest income levels with aid. Christian colleges can be an excellent choice for many of us.</p>

<p>Sadly, when it comes to Christian Colleges many are more like Church Camp than a disciplined quality education that can compete with secular school options. Also many Christian Colleges are very loosely aligned with Christian faith, which has some market appeal but misses the point of living your life for Christ in all that you do with a Biblical foundation.</p>

<p>Here are the Christian Colleges I can recommend:</p>

<p>Baylor, Bethel, Calvin, Cedarville, Grove City, Olivet Nazarene, Taylor, Westmont, and Wheaton. (Not exhaustive as there are schools like Northwestern College in Iowa I do not know as much about but I speculate would grow my list.)</p>

<p>Other Non-Christian colleges I have recent insight into are:</p>

<p>Hillsdale, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin in Madison, Texas A & M, Truman State, University of Northern Iowa, Vanderbilt, Pepperdine, and Wake Forest. Plus West Point (Army); Annapolis (Navy); and the U.S. Air Force Academy.</p>

<p>Princeton Review provides a selectivity profile ranking from 60 to 99, with higher scores equaling a higher the academic profile with close correlation to the degree of difficulty for admission. </p>

<p>In order: Vanderbilt 99; Air Force 98; West Point 97; Northwestern 97; Navy 95; Wheaton 94; Pepperdine 94; Wake Forest 94; Grove City 93; U of W – Madison 93; Hillsdale 92; Truman State 91; Westmont 89; Cedarville 88; Taylor 86; Baylor 83; Texas A & M 83; Olivet 82; Bethel 82; and U of No. Iowa 75.</p>

<p>As you can see the Christian Colleges hold their own with secular schools in attracting a quality student with high academic profiles. Utilizing the US News ranking the only two Christian Schools with National ranking in their top 100 are Baylor University and Wheaton College.</p>

<p>Baylor University – Waco, TX</p>

<p>14,000 students; 12,000 Undergrad; Division 1 Athletics; 100 plus majors; Beautiful Campus; and excellent reputation for employment and graduate school. Outstanding academic as well as need based financial aid. (34,000 applicants for 3,800 spots)</p>

<p>We came to Baylor due to their top 10 ranking in undergraduate engineering and the number one ranked Air Force ROTC unit in the country. We found the faculty to be Biblically based, pragmatic, and well educated. Much criticism comes to Baylor on their varied views of evolution and the fact that their student body does not have to be Christian to attend. Many students are not Christian but ‘most’ are and the Faculty is required to be believers, with exceptions for guest lecturers. The only negative is the distance to Waco which is 100 miles south of Dallas. Whether I am New York on business or anywhere else in the planet when the name Baylor University comes up I hear the same phrase – “Baylor, that is a great school!” </p>

<p>Wheaton College in Illinois</p>

<p>3,000 students; 2,400 Undergrad; Division 3 Athletics; Outstanding Facilities; Outstanding Faculty; Number 39 out of all colleges in SAT scores; Top 10 in nation for percentage of students that go on to graduate school; Top 25 in nation for students who graduate in four years. (2,600 applicants for 580 spots, but only 1 out of 4 women are accepted with entering class 50/50 male and female.) Top 25% of students at or above 32 for ACT and 1430 for SAT.</p>

<p>Wheaton academics are not for the faint of heart. While 88% graduate in four years the tone is competitive in the classroom and accepting & nurturing in all other aspects. The students are bright but know how to have fun. 14 hours of required Bible. More of a reformed bent within faculty but students come from all denominations. Wheaton has a rich endowment and provides for more than 95% of need based aid but has very limited academic scholarships. </p>

<p>Cedarville University – Ohio</p>

<p>3,200 students; 3,000 undergrad; Division 2 Athletics; 60 plus majors; One of the Best College Presidents in Nation (my opinion); Biblically sound and extremely Market Focused with high placement of graduates.</p>

<p>Cedarville has it all from business, to nursing, to engineering. Great facilities; nurturing environment, and a great economic value proposition. Students work hard but their profile represents that while “most” of their students are very bright, the bottom 25% may be more challenged to finish college. Which is kind of the point as the whole school is fulltime dedicated to student success. This school is extremely student focused while uncompromising on the work required to succeed. While the facilities are exceptional the setting is often referred to as being in the middle of a corn field with the largest city close to them being Dayton, 25 miles away. The student satisfaction has been measured against more than 300 comparably sized schools, Christian and secular, to be the absolute number one. The school is an often overlooked gem.</p>

<p>Calvin College – Michigan</p>

<p>4,000 students – most undergrad; Division 3 Athletics; “Best” facilities! Passionate faculty!</p>

<p>Calvin is worth checking into as I found them to be disciplined & organized, welcoming; with evidence of academic success and great job and graduate school placement.
They were generous with multiple scholarships from academics to recognition for community/church involvement. Their core curriculum was the best I have seen at any college for a liberal arts foundation with real world application. Their campus and facilities are a big “wow”! Their faculty was amazingly student focused and I saw true Christian insight and depth.</p>

<p>My caution is their “reformed” identity is very denominational but they spend great efforts to say it doesn’t matter what your spiritual focus is as all “Christians” are welcome – Huh? Also without a doubt their faculty is more politically liberal than most found on Christian campuses. A great deal of emphasis is on serving the world for Christ, which is admirable but they are Bible light in their practices. Still I could not give up on this school because I saw so much wonderful and solid opportunity for students on so many levels. And as an added plus I know so many of their alumni who are spiritually grounded, passionate for the Lord, and are extremely successful in the world economy. (They love Calvin!)</p>

<p>Grove City College - Pennsylvania</p>

<p>2,600 undergrad students; Campus looks and feels like Princeton (a good thing!)</p>

<p>I will start with my negative. I found Grove to be more politically conservative than Christian in their applications and practices. But “wow” what a school! The cost is half most Christian Colleges and attracts some of the brightest students only slightly behind Wheaton in profile. The students are active and engaged in the world and in learning. The school has an intense core curriculum and prides itself in not providing grade inflation. Their job placement process starts with their freshman in helping them see their strengths and match them with their interests with great results. They have a wide degree of majors including engineering and keep their student boy/girl ratio at 50/50. Because of the low financial cost and having a great school they are hard to gain acceptance. If you have the brains to get in, it is hard to top this school for having all you need to prepare for careers and/or graduate studies.</p>

<p>Westmont College – California</p>

<p>1,350 undergrad students; Campus in Santa Barbara Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean</p>

<p>For a small school they have their act together. The price tag, while scary is offset with generous academic as well as need based scholarships. Started as a Wheaton clone but now has its own identity. Campus was caught in a fire and has been rebuilt with wonderful facilities. Known for great faculty and students from every corner of the earth. Psychology is one of their strengths and their students overall are very competitive in the marketplace upon graduation. </p>

<p>Olivet Nazarene – Illinois</p>

<p>This is the only college I can recommend without having personally been on the campus. My daughter went there with her church group and was impressed with their caring and comprehensive academic choices. They offered her huge academic scholarships that would have brought our total outlay to less than $12,000 per year all in. (Tempting)</p>

<p>I researched the school and know several of their alumni. The school is comprehensive, student focused, Christ honoring, and well financed that shows in their campus and programs. The academic profile of the students is the lowest of schools I would recommend but higher than any state school in Wisconsin except their flag ship in Madison. I got the sense I would trust them to with my child’s education and they have lots of majors to choose from. Their alumni are passionate about this school.</p>

<p>Taylor University - Indiana</p>

<p>2,800 undergrads & Amazing Faculty</p>

<p>The negatives are the campus is in the middle of nowhere and more than any school I would recommend it had a flavor of running more like a Church Camp than a University. However, the academic profile is high, the academics are exceptional and US News has consistently ranked Taylor as the number one school in the Midwest.</p>

<p>We met and saw the most comprehensive writing program that has students published and paid starting in their freshman year. By the time they graduate some had more than 100 published articles and one student sold a book for movie rights in the six figure neighborhood. The whole Taylor experience is connected to the world economy and making a difference in the world for Christ. Their chapel services are spectacular bringing in speakers from around the globe and a time of worship. Taylor may be the “most” Christ focused of any campus we visited without a whiff of legalism. The campus while well equipped is not pretty with buildings but the mission, the comprehensive educational opportunities, and the passionate student body makes this a great choice to consider.</p>

<p>Bethel University – Minnesota</p>

<p>3,600 undergrads, 1,800 adult education; and 1,200 graduate and seminary students</p>

<p>Every Bethel student I know whether current or alumni love this school. They have extensive majors, good facilities, and attract a solid academic profile student body. They are Biblically centered but more liberal than all but Calvin in my summary. While they participate in ROTC through neighboring schools it is clear they are biased towards an anti-war sentiment and less patriotic flavor than most Christian schools. Their legacy however is very conservative and I sense they are experiencing more of a changing of the guard with their new president. </p>

<p>The campus came across as a fun place to study with lots of majors to choose from and students that are serious about life, athletic, artistic, and engaged. They put great emphasis on their students studying overseas. And my oldest was offered great academic scholarship support.</p>

<p>Comments on other Non-Christine Schools:</p>

<p>University of Wisconsin – Madison</p>

<p>30,600 undergrads; 12,000 grad; The Flag Ship of Wisconsin</p>

<p>We live in suburban Milwaukee and my children attend (past and present) a large public high school with a graduating class of 560. The HS is known for having the second highest ACT scores for public schools in the state and more than 90% of their graduates go to college. Out the 560 graduates more than 200 apply to Madison and this last year only 27 were accepted. There is really no close second for state schools in Wisconsin. My business actively recruits Actuarial students from Madison and their graduates tend to be viewed as bright and motivated. People in Wisconsin talk of Madison like people on the east coast talk about Harvard, Princeton and Yale but what are the facts?</p>

<p>Less than 50% of UW Madison students graduate in four years. A full 30% don’t make it from their freshman to sophomore year. Princeton Review lists them favorably for their library, school newspaper, and undergrad entrepreneurial business program but also ranks them high in top ten for being LGBT friendly, and having lots of beer and hard liquor. This year they failed to make the top 10 for Party Schools coming in at number 14. I meet many a refined adult who are alumni of Madison and more often than not, they have a drinking story or two highlighting their college career. Abortions are state funded and available on campus; “the only” infant stem cell research funded by government dollars is at Madison, and if you go to one of their home football games a tradition is to chant loud and clear obscenities including the “F” word back and forth with great pride. Liberal – yes! Yet they are known for research innovation, medical discovery, business best practices, and political engagements (having a real voice) that help shape America. While politically to the left, we know some very conservative and Christian people that go to and attend UW Madison with pride.</p>

<p>My opinion it takes a very special student to survive and thrive in their environment. It would be easy to get lost, easy to fail, and easy to walk away from Christian values. The faculty to student ratio is 17 to 1 and will increase to 20 to 1 due to budget cuts. Wheaton is at 10 to 1 and Vanderbilt is at 7 to 1. No school I am commenting on has a higher ratio. Though in the eye of the beholder whether good or bad only about 15 to 20% of UW Madison graduates ever get a masters degree compared to over 70% of Wheaton grads. It is hard to see the magic that holds Madison in such high regard. And, while their sports are awesome in last years Rose Bowl I supported TCU(the winner) which was viewed a being from the lowly Mountain West Conference and not worthy of the Big 10. Sadly, that same attitude is view that holds Madison in such high regard academically with blinders to the facts of a quality education.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt University – Tennessee
7,000 undergrad; 5,000 grad; One of the most selective schools in America AND
Wake Forest University – North Carolina
4,600 undergrad; 2,000 grad</p>

<p>If you are looking for Ivy League status without some of the hard left politics issues both schools are premier academic powerhouses. Their students are extraordinarily bright, balanced, and engaged in the world. Neither school is conservative per se nor Christian but you can be both and be welcome and fully embraced in the classroom and not be painted as being part of the lunatic fringe. </p>

<p>Both schools are known as a rich kid’s schools but their endowments are humongous allowing exceptional need based and academic scholarships. Too heavy on the sorority and fraternity life in my opinion but both schools are worth consideration. Comparing with Madison their Faculty/Student ratios are under 10, not 20. More than 90% graduate in four years and more than 90% move from the freshman to sophomore years. (Vs. 50% and 70% at UW) Vanderbilt is more elite, but both are very similar and quite spectacular at what they do.</p>

<p>Pepperdine University – California</p>

<p>This school is in the most beautiful setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, CA. It is well funded and disciplined in their approach to education. While conservative I do not consider them to be a Christian school as there is little Bible and little spiritual focus. The name of this school is big and while most of America has heard of it few really understands what is unique about it. If you approach it as a well run school and are willing to pay a big price tag to go to school in paradise this is a valid option. </p>

<p>Truman State University – Missouri
University of Northern Iowa
Texas A & M</p>

<p>These schools have little in common other than they are well run, have great student options, and are gems in their own way. Truman is a state school with high academics and a low price tag for even out of state students. U of No Iowa is probably the best school I could find with almost everything you could place on a campus with good student outcomes but for students with a lower academic profile. Texas A & M makes you proud to be an American. Heavy into ROTC, all branches and really good academics and also surprisingly affordable for even out of state students.</p>

<p>Northwestern University – Illinois</p>

<p>Academically this school is world renowned but very liberal and very much aligned with most Ivy League schools for bad, not the good. We could not shake this school as we have family ties so we visited the campus twice. On our first visit the school newspaper ran a front page article on a presentation given on campus advocating that if a women learns to better self please themselves sexually they could be free from the bonds and burdens of being weighed down by a significant other or worse yet a spouse. Upon our second visit to campus there was controversy over a psychology professor that hired a couple to demonstrate live deviant sex practices in the classroom. Hopefully these are the extremes. The school has a history of their graduates going on to great things in society. It is tough to gain admission and most parents see their kid’s attendance as a seal of success. I see Northwestern being a better option if at all for graduate school as many undergrad classes have teacher assistants and grad students teaching. Their esteemed faculty is often on the road giving talks and not in the classroom.</p>

<p>Hillsdale College – Michigan
1,300 undergraduates</p>

<p>Hillsdale is not a Christian College though Christianity is well accepted and even embraced. They are more aligned with fighting for religious freedom for all types of beliefs but are predominately protestant and catholic. Hillsdale is very conservative politically and teach a classical liberal arts model. They are well disciplined and like Grove City College do not accept any government funding. They have managed to accumulate one of the largest endowments of any college in America their size and as a result attract a top quality student and faculty. They teach and preach free market economics which is sorely needed on the college campus in this day and age.</p>

<p>When we visited they had an engaging student panel of five students that talked of the joys and challenges of a Hillsdale education. Also like Grove City, they too pride themselves on no grade inflation. At the end of the presentation the students being seniors were asked where they were heading in the next year – two were off to Harvard Law School. (HLS shows their feeder schools and I recently looked against all the schools that I have referenced – Hillsdale had 3; Wheaton 2; Grove City, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt each had 1.) Hillsdale, like Wheaton, expects more than 2/3’s of their students to go on to graduate school in less than 10 years after graduation.</p>

<p>Hillsdale in many respects is a late bloomer as their college rankings over the last 5 or 6 years have soared. They are very competitive to get into and their graduates do well in all walks of life. And their financial aid in all respects is excellent.</p>

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<p>thanks for sharing your information. Hopefully your kids’ FinAid situation alters when you report that you have more college expenses (other than your AF cadet— congrats BTW).</p>

<p>I come from a similar faith background but don’t share your misgivings about the “liberal” Ivies and such. I find them rich in inquisitiveness and sharing of ideas. What and how faculty bring to the table is all a part of that and I wouldn’t feel any hesitation to send my kids there, worrying that they are somehow corrupted. As a matter of fact, I say many of my core beliefs were formed during my time at one of the HYP colleges. Among my friends was certainly a wide political spectrum but there was no lacking whatsoever in moderate and conservative voices. In my circle of friends, three of us became clergy, some in law & business, several have worked on behalf of the Government. Some are foundation people who run noted community services. Runs the gamut. That’s why I resist the charge that my Ivy experience was tainted by some liberal vapor that left me out of touch with the world for four years until I escaped.</p>

<p>The media likes the tired old story of liberal bias at the Ivies. But it just is a good headline – lacking any depth to the real nurturing of intellectualism, creativity, dedication to community and country, and yes – to faith. All are extremely strong at the Ivies. I’ve known not a few Ivy grads who have or are now serving in the US military. But certain circles love to promulgate the effete radical lefty professor wearing a Che Guevara T Shirt screaming into a bull horn. The media consuming public loves that and it sells. </p>

<p>Your sharing of info on the above mentioned colleges is valuable and I thank you for assembling it. I just also want to invite you to re-examine your blanket pronouncement on one certain class of college.</p>

<p>One last thing: I find the student-to-teacher ratio to be overblown. If the individual student is the sort to be a wall flower – it doesn’t matter if this ratio is 1:1. If the individual student is mature and responsible for his/her own education, then approaching profs will be commonplace.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you. My oldest will be heading down that path soon and some of the schools you’ve listed are ones I will suggest to her.</p>

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<p>You are right it is unfair of me to broadly address Ivy’s. I am not the bull horn type at all. In my professional life I have literally been on all the Ivy campuses for meetings and meals interacting with deans, faculty and students. I too have been a student at Harvard though only in their executive education programs. I have come to meet people of great intellect and often open minds. I so enjoy the intellect of bright and engaged people which our best schools do attract. I have on occasion also met some people of faith too. </p>

<p>When I speak of Ivy’s to be fair I must be inclusive of many big “name” academically renowned schools too. While this sounds political it often amazes me that the ‘reality’ that without profit no one eats is often lost on our campuses. Someone has to pay the bills. This disconnect was even evident at Harvard Business School.</p>

<p>Christians, like those of the Tea Party perspectives are in my opinion held in low regard by Ivy’s and “name” institutions. Few young people could share in the classroom that they are politically conservative and/or a person of faith without being treated with some distain. At times the treatment is and has been mean spirited coming not from fellow students but the leadership of the schools.</p>

<p>The Republicans are flawed and so is everyone who calls themselves a Christian so it is not from pedestal self-righteousness that I share my opinion. Most big name schools are liberal left. It is my belief that young people of faith need access to a quality education but unfortunately many will be treated with hostility and ‘some” injustice on “name” school campuses inclusive of the Ivy’s.</p>

<p>Two things: I am guilty of rhetoric too. Once driving through a well known liberal campus I said out loud to my family, “they teach that God is not real here”. My seven year old replied – “which building do they do that in?” It cautioned me to be careful with blanket statements. We must have respect for all people and perspectives but we have a right to our opinions and beliefs.</p>

<p>Second when I meet a Christian on a secular campus it fills me with joy.</p>

4

<p>

The Tea Party movement is political, not religious. And on top of that, it goes against Jesus’s message of social justice and helping the poor above the rich. When He said that a rich man cannot go to Heaven, I don’t think He meant that we should create a society favoring the rich; nor when He said that we have an obligation to help the poor that He meant that we should cut social programs that help them.</p>

<p>So disrespect for Tea Party Christians may stem from hypocrisy, not political disagreement.</p>

5

<p>Some level setting. I am the father of five children and by profession a SVP of Human Resources. I have two children in college today – Wheaton College in Illinois and the U.S. Air Force Academy. We are of an evangelical Christian faith and politically conservative.</p>

<p>I have traveled in my career to dozens to more than 100 Colleges and Universities and even with my own children more than ten formal visits as a parent. I utilize US News, Forbes, Princeton Review, and more. I have come to be biased by faculty to student Ratios, freshmen retention, and graduation rates. </p>

<p>I have also come to realize that college choices have the most to do with each individual student – their wants, needs, areas of interests and academic abilities. An insight is that family income below $100K leads to lots of need based scholarship opportunity, but upper middle incomes of above $100K to $300K really find college expensive. Academic versus need based scholarships are more limited and the cost of college is mind bending expensive. However, through various ways of financing an education more often than not a private school can be less expensive than many state schools that really only help the lowest income levels with aid. Christian colleges can be an excellent choice for many of us.</p>

<p>Sadly, when it comes to Christian Colleges many are more like Church Camp than a disciplined quality education that can compete with secular school options. Also many Christian Colleges are very loosely aligned with Christian faith, which has some market appeal but misses the point of living your life for Christ in all that you do with a Biblical foundation.</p>

<p>Here are the Christian Colleges I can recommend:</p>

<p>Baylor, Bethel, Calvin, Cedarville, Grove City, Olivet Nazarene, Taylor, Westmont, and Wheaton. (Not exhaustive as there are schools like Northwestern College in Iowa I do not know as much about but I speculate would grow my list.)</p>

<p>Other Non-Christian colleges I have recent insight into are:</p>

<p>Hillsdale, Northwestern University, University of Wisconsin in Madison, Texas A & M, Truman State, University of Northern Iowa, Vanderbilt, Pepperdine, and Wake Forest. Plus West Point (Army); Annapolis (Navy); and the U.S. Air Force Academy.</p>

<p>Princeton Review provides a selectivity profile ranking from 60 to 99, with higher scores equaling a higher the academic profile with close correlation to the degree of difficulty for admission. </p>

<p>In order: Vanderbilt 99; Air Force 98; West Point 97; Northwestern 97; Navy 95; Wheaton 94; Pepperdine 94; Wake Forest 94; Grove City 93; U of W – Madison 93; Hillsdale 92; Truman State 91; Westmont 89; Cedarville 88; Taylor 86; Baylor 83; Texas A & M 83; Olivet 82; Bethel 82; and U of No. Iowa 75.</p>

<p>As you can see the Christian Colleges hold their own with secular schools in attracting a quality student with high academic profiles. Utilizing the US News ranking the only two Christian Schools with National ranking in their top 100 are Baylor University and Wheaton College.</p>

<p>Baylor University – Waco, TX</p>

<p>14,000 students; 12,000 Undergrad; Division 1 Athletics; 100 plus majors; Beautiful Campus; and excellent reputation for employment and graduate school. Outstanding academic as well as need based financial aid. (34,000 applicants for 3,800 spots)</p>

<p>We came to Baylor due to their top 10 ranking in undergraduate engineering and the number one ranked Air Force ROTC unit in the country. We found the faculty to be Biblically based, pragmatic, and well educated. Much criticism comes to Baylor on their varied views of evolution and the fact that their student body does not have to be Christian to attend. Many students are not Christian but ‘most’ are and the Faculty is required to be believers, with exceptions for guest lecturers. The only negative is the distance to Waco which is 100 miles south of Dallas. Whether I am New York on business or anywhere else in the planet when the name Baylor University comes up I hear the same phrase – “Baylor, that is a great school!” </p>

<p>Wheaton College in Illinois</p>

<p>3,000 students; 2,400 Undergrad; Division 3 Athletics; Outstanding Facilities; Outstanding Faculty; Number 39 out of all colleges in SAT scores; Top 10 in nation for percentage of students that go on to graduate school; Top 25 in nation for students who graduate in four years. (2,600 applicants for 580 spots, but only 1 out of 4 women are accepted with entering class 50/50 male and female.) Top 25% of students at or above 32 for ACT and 1430 for SAT.</p>

<p>Wheaton academics are not for the faint of heart. While 88% graduate in four years the tone is competitive in the classroom and accepting & nurturing in all other aspects. The students are bright but know how to have fun. 14 hours of required Bible. More of a reformed bent within faculty but students come from all denominations. Wheaton has a rich endowment and provides for more than 95% of need based aid but has very limited academic scholarships. </p>

<p>Cedarville University – Ohio</p>

<p>3,200 students; 3,000 undergrad; Division 2 Athletics; 60 plus majors; One of the Best College Presidents in Nation (my opinion); Biblically sound and extremely Market Focused with high placement of graduates.</p>

<p>Cedarville has it all from business, to nursing, to engineering. Great facilities; nurturing environment, and a great economic value proposition. Students work hard but their profile represents that while “most” of their students are very bright, the bottom 25% may be more challenged to finish college. Which is kind of the point as the whole school is fulltime dedicated to student success. This school is extremely student focused while uncompromising on the work required to succeed. While the facilities are exceptional the setting is often referred to as being in the middle of a corn field with the largest city close to them being Dayton, 25 miles away. The student satisfaction has been measured against more than 300 comparably sized schools, Christian and secular, to be the absolute number one. The school is an often overlooked gem.</p>

<p>Calvin College – Michigan</p>

<p>4,000 students – most undergrad; Division 3 Athletics; “Best” facilities! Passionate faculty!</p>

<p>Calvin is worth checking into as I found them to be disciplined & organized, welcoming; with evidence of academic success and great job and graduate school placement.
They were generous with multiple scholarships from academics to recognition for community/church involvement. Their core curriculum was the best I have seen at any college for a liberal arts foundation with real world application. Their campus and facilities are a big “wow”! Their faculty was amazingly student focused and I saw true Christian insight and depth.</p>

<p>My caution is their “reformed” identity is very denominational but they spend great efforts to say it doesn’t matter what your spiritual focus is as all “Christians” are welcome – Huh? Also without a doubt their faculty is more politically liberal than most found on Christian campuses. A great deal of emphasis is on serving the world for Christ, which is admirable but they are Bible light in their practices. Still I could not give up on this school because I saw so much wonderful and solid opportunity for students on so many levels. And as an added plus I know so many of their alumni who are spiritually grounded, passionate for the Lord, and are extremely successful in the world economy. (They love Calvin!)</p>

<p>Grove City College - Pennsylvania</p>

<p>2,600 undergrad students; Campus looks and feels like Princeton (a good thing!)</p>

<p>I will start with my negative. I found Grove to be more politically conservative than Christian in their applications and practices. But “wow” what a school! The cost is half most Christian Colleges and attracts some of the brightest students only slightly behind Wheaton in profile. The students are active and engaged in the world and in learning. The school has an intense core curriculum and prides itself in not providing grade inflation. Their job placement process starts with their freshman in helping them see their strengths and match them with their interests with great results. They have a wide degree of majors including engineering and keep their student boy/girl ratio at 50/50. Because of the low financial cost and having a great school they are hard to gain acceptance. If you have the brains to get in, it is hard to top this school for having all you need to prepare for careers and/or graduate studies.</p>

<p>Westmont College – California</p>

<p>1,350 undergrad students; Campus in Santa Barbara Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean</p>

<p>For a small school they have their act together. The price tag, while scary is offset with generous academic as well as need based scholarships. Started as a Wheaton clone but now has its own identity. Campus was caught in a fire and has been rebuilt with wonderful facilities. Known for great faculty and students from every corner of the earth. Psychology is one of their strengths and their students overall are very competitive in the marketplace upon graduation. </p>

<p>Olivet Nazarene – Illinois</p>

<p>This is the only college I can recommend without having personally been on the campus. My daughter went there with her church group and was impressed with their caring and comprehensive academic choices. They offered her huge academic scholarships that would have brought our total outlay to less than $12,000 per year all in. (Tempting)</p>

<p>I researched the school and know several of their alumni. The school is comprehensive, student focused, Christ honoring, and well financed that shows in their campus and programs. The academic profile of the students is the lowest of schools I would recommend but higher than any state school in Wisconsin except their flag ship in Madison. I got the sense I would trust them to with my child’s education and they have lots of majors to choose from. Their alumni are passionate about this school.</p>

<p>Taylor University - Indiana</p>

<p>2,800 undergrads & Amazing Faculty</p>

<p>The negatives are the campus is in the middle of nowhere and more than any school I would recommend it had a flavor of running more like a Church Camp than a University. However, the academic profile is high, the academics are exceptional and US News has consistently ranked Taylor as the number one school in the Midwest.</p>

<p>We met and saw the most comprehensive writing program that has students published and paid starting in their freshman year. By the time they graduate some had more than 100 published articles and one student sold a book for movie rights in the six figure neighborhood. The whole Taylor experience is connected to the world economy and making a difference in the world for Christ. Their chapel services are spectacular bringing in speakers from around the globe and a time of worship. Taylor may be the “most” Christ focused of any campus we visited without a whiff of legalism. The campus while well equipped is not pretty with buildings but the mission, the comprehensive educational opportunities, and the passionate student body makes this a great choice to consider.</p>

<p>Bethel University – Minnesota</p>

<p>3,600 undergrads, 1,800 adult education; and 1,200 graduate and seminary students</p>

<p>Every Bethel student I know whether current or alumni love this school. They have extensive majors, good facilities, and attract a solid academic profile student body. They are Biblically centered but more liberal than all but Calvin in my summary. While they participate in ROTC through neighboring schools it is clear they are biased towards an anti-war sentiment and less patriotic flavor than most Christian schools. Their legacy however is very conservative and I sense they are experiencing more of a changing of the guard with their new president. </p>

<p>The campus came across as a fun place to study with lots of majors to choose from and students that are serious about life, athletic, artistic, and engaged. They put great emphasis on their students studying overseas. And my oldest was offered great academic scholarship support.</p>

<p>Comments on other Non-Christine Schools:</p>

<p>University of Wisconsin – Madison</p>

<p>30,600 undergrads; 12,000 grad; The Flag Ship of Wisconsin</p>

<p>We live in suburban Milwaukee and my children attend (past and present) a large public high school with a graduating class of 560. The HS is known for having the second highest ACT scores for public schools in the state and more than 90% of their graduates go to college. Out the 560 graduates more than 200 apply to Madison and this last year only 27 were accepted. There is really no close second for state schools in Wisconsin. My business actively recruits Actuarial students from Madison and their graduates tend to be viewed as bright and motivated. People in Wisconsin talk of Madison like people on the east coast talk about Harvard, Princeton and Yale but what are the facts?</p>

<p>Less than 50% of UW Madison students graduate in four years. A full 30% don’t make it from their freshman to sophomore year. Princeton Review lists them favorably for their library, school newspaper, and undergrad entrepreneurial business program but also ranks them high in top ten for being LGBT friendly, and having lots of beer and hard liquor. This year they failed to make the top 10 for Party Schools coming in at number 14. I meet many a refined adult who are alumni of Madison and more often than not, they have a drinking story or two highlighting their college career. Abortions are state funded and available on campus; “the only” infant stem cell research funded by government dollars is at Madison, and if you go to one of their home football games a tradition is to chant loud and clear obscenities including the “F” word back and forth with great pride. Liberal – yes! Yet they are known for research innovation, medical discovery, business best practices, and political engagements (having a real voice) that help shape America. While politically to the left, we know some very conservative and Christian people that go to and attend UW Madison with pride.</p>

<p>My opinion it takes a very special student to survive and thrive in their environment. It would be easy to get lost, easy to fail, and easy to walk away from Christian values. The faculty to student ratio is 17 to 1 and will increase to 20 to 1 due to budget cuts. Wheaton is at 10 to 1 and Vanderbilt is at 7 to 1. No school I am commenting on has a higher ratio. Though in the eye of the beholder whether good or bad only about 15 to 20% of UW Madison graduates ever get a masters degree compared to over 70% of Wheaton grads. It is hard to see the magic that holds Madison in such high regard. And, while their sports are awesome in last years Rose Bowl I supported TCU(the winner) which was viewed a being from the lowly Mountain West Conference and not worthy of the Big 10. Sadly, that same attitude is view that holds Madison in such high regard academically with blinders to the facts of a quality education.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt University – Tennessee
7,000 undergrad; 5,000 grad; One of the most selective schools in America AND
Wake Forest University – North Carolina
4,600 undergrad; 2,000 grad</p>

<p>If you are looking for Ivy League status without some of the hard left politics issues both schools are premier academic powerhouses. Their students are extraordinarily bright, balanced, and engaged in the world. Neither school is conservative per se nor Christian but you can be both and be welcome and fully embraced in the classroom and not be painted as being part of the lunatic fringe. </p>

<p>Both schools are known as a rich kid’s schools but their endowments are humongous allowing exceptional need based and academic scholarships. Too heavy on the sorority and fraternity life in my opinion but both schools are worth consideration. Comparing with Madison their Faculty/Student ratios are under 10, not 20. More than 90% graduate in four years and more than 90% move from the freshman to sophomore years. (Vs. 50% and 70% at UW) Vanderbilt is more elite, but both are very similar and quite spectacular at what they do.</p>

<p>Pepperdine University – California</p>

<p>This school is in the most beautiful setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, CA. It is well funded and disciplined in their approach to education. While conservative I do not consider them to be a Christian school as there is little Bible and little spiritual focus. The name of this school is big and while most of America has heard of it few really understands what is unique about it. If you approach it as a well run school and are willing to pay a big price tag to go to school in paradise this is a valid option. </p>

<p>Truman State University – Missouri
University of Northern Iowa
Texas A & M</p>

<p>These schools have little in common other than they are well run, have great student options, and are gems in their own way. Truman is a state school with high academics and a low price tag for even out of state students. U of No Iowa is probably the best school I could find with almost everything you could place on a campus with good student outcomes but for students with a lower academic profile. Texas A & M makes you proud to be an American. Heavy into ROTC, all branches and really good academics and also surprisingly affordable for even out of state students.</p>

<p>Northwestern University – Illinois</p>

<p>Academically this school is world renowned but very liberal and very much aligned with most Ivy League schools for bad, not the good. We could not shake this school as we have family ties so we visited the campus twice. On our first visit the school newspaper ran a front page article on a presentation given on campus advocating that if a women learns to better self please themselves sexually they could be free from the bonds and burdens of being weighed down by a significant other or worse yet a spouse. Upon our second visit to campus there was controversy over a psychology professor that hired a couple to demonstrate live deviant sex practices in the classroom. Hopefully these are the extremes. The school has a history of their graduates going on to great things in society. It is tough to gain admission and most parents see their kid’s attendance as a seal of success. I see Northwestern being a better option if at all for graduate school as many undergrad classes have teacher assistants and grad students teaching. Their esteemed faculty is often on the road giving talks and not in the classroom.</p>

<p>Hillsdale College – Michigan
1,300 undergraduates</p>

<p>Hillsdale is not a Christian College though Christianity is well accepted and even embraced. They are more aligned with fighting for religious freedom for all types of beliefs but are predominately protestant and catholic. Hillsdale is very conservative politically and teach a classical liberal arts model. They are well disciplined and like Grove City College do not accept any government funding. They have managed to accumulate one of the largest endowments of any college in America their size and as a result attract a top quality student and faculty. They teach and preach free market economics which is sorely needed on the college campus in this day and age.</p>

<p>When we visited they had an engaging student panel of five students that talked of the joys and challenges of a Hillsdale education. Also like Grove City, they too pride themselves on no grade inflation. At the end of the presentation the students being seniors were asked where they were heading in the next year – two were off to Harvard Law School. (HLS shows their feeder schools and I recently looked against all the schools that I have referenced – Hillsdale had 3; Wheaton 2; Grove City, Northwestern, and Vanderbilt each had 1.) Hillsdale, like Wheaton, expects more than 2/3’s of their students to go on to graduate school in less than 10 years after graduation.</p>

<p>Hillsdale in many respects is a late bloomer as their college rankings over the last 5 or 6 years have soared. They are very competitive to get into and their graduates do well in all walks of life. And their financial aid in all respects is excellent.</p>

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<p>Haven’t you made this thread twice before already?</p>

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<p>At least twice.</p>

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<p>Just my opinion, but I believe that if you are a Christian, going to a non-religious school is the best thing that you can do. My faith has been challenged, I have been exposed to a lot more at a large public university as opposed to being seculded and sheltered in a Christian environment. Sure, there are many things that I have seen and have been tempted to partake in but I feel like I’ve definitely grown stronger in my faith since it is questioned all the time by non-Christians. I feel like this can happen at any non-religious school as long as you seek out one of the Christian ministries on campus and get close relationships with some christian friends.</p>

<p>Just my two cents.</p>

<p>PS: You def left Clemson off your list. We have one of the best collegiate campus ministries in the country with FCA (not only for athletes at Clemson, its for everybody. I think we have the largest FCA organizaiton in the country)</p>

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<p>@pierre:</p>

<p>I agree. Only those who are weak in faith fear an environment in which it may be challenged. And for those of an evangelical bent, how is one to fulfill the Great Commission if one is surrounded only by those who are already believers? “Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” [Luke 10:3]</p>

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<p>@Bear67 I was wondering if you know anything about Whitworth University</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>I suppose some parents make their offspring go to certain schools because they fear their faith being challenged, but I’ve yet to meet a student who was going to one for that reason. Every single student I’ve met (and I’ve met several) who has chosen a Christian college has done so because they want the camaraderie of the professors and/or other students sharing their faith.</p>

<p>If one could eliminate the students whose parents make them attend a Christian school, most, probably close to all, would be pleased.</p>

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<h2>Whitworth, founded in 1890, is a private, residential, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Whitworth’s mission is to provide its diverse student body an education of the mind and heart, equipping its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. Whitworth’s community of teacher-scholars is committed to rigorous and open intellectual inquiry and to the integration of Christian faith and learning. </h2>

<p>The above is off their web-site but I do not have any personal insights other than I like what I can read about them.</p>

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<p>@bear67 Thank you so much for your information.</p>

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<p>Our son is starting his second year at Whitworth. We can’t say enough good about this school. Great environment, caring profs. Growth, their opening a new science building this fall and expanding the Hub. They have a great pre-med program and international programs. It is a Christian school, and though it’s not a forced environment, most of the students come from a basis of faith. Just a lot of really happy kids. I can say it’s changing our son’s life for the better.</p>

<p>Greg</p>

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<p>Can you lend insight as to what Whitworth’s view of the Bible is?</p>

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<p>It’s a Presbyterian based school, so the history is of a reformed Protestent church. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professed view of the bible. Here a couple links that may give you some insight.</p>

<p>[About</a> Whitworth University - Mission & Heritage](<a href=“http://whitworth.edu/GeneralInformation/Mission.htm]About”>Page Not Found | Whitworth University)</p>

<p>[Whitworth</a> University President Beck A. Taylor](<a href=“http://whitworth.edu/Administration/presidentsoffice/index.htm]Whitworth”>Page Not Found | Whitworth University)</p>

<p>They don’t require students to be of a certain faith or of any faith, but they do require staff to write a personal profession of faith as they apply for positions. The student population does vary from fundamentalist home schooled kids, to a few non-believers. The best description I can give is their goal is to bring together young college kids and let them grow in faith as they are obtaining their education. That’s been our son’s experience. </p>

<p>The only rules they have is not allowing drugs or alcohol in the dorms, no cohabitation of sexes in dorm rooms (in same room, the dorms are co-ed by floor), and no violence.</p>

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<p>Thanks. Can you lend any insight as to Whitworth’s view of the Bible?</p>

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<p>Whistle Pig, that’s a potentially volatile question so I hope you’re not trolling.</p>

<p>But as a current theology major at Whitworth, I feel like I could answer that as well as anyone. The thing is, you’ll get a different answer regarding biblical inerrancy depending on the professor. All of our professors our professed Christians, but the answer would probably change between one of our Catholic professors and perhaps the ex-Muslim now Christian professor. Yes, we’re a Protestant school, but we leave room for discussion.</p>

<p>Greger is absolutely right. You’ll find a large swath of religious ideologies at Whitworth, and I personally wouldn’t base my decision about a school by only taking their views on biblical inerrancy into consideration. It’s a fuzzy question from the get go. You could ask our Greek professors which version of the Bible they view as inerrant, considering there’s many translations and they’ve read from the original Greek themselves, and once again you’d get varied answers. It is suffice to say that Whitworth isn’t KJVO.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>I’m not sure what you mean by your arrogant implication, but contrary to your self-proclamation, I’d certainly hope that you are not a credible, representative spokesman for Whitworth’s view of the Bible, authorized or simply self-anointed. </p>

<p>First of all, you failed to answer the question in your rambling, and secondly, as you admit, yours is nothing more than how you “feel”, an emotional response. You’re entitled to your feelings, and even your opinions (beliefs), but you disserve Whitworth suggesting either might lend genuine insight to the College’s official stance. And your implication toward me and ensuing ramble did nothing to support your self-proclaimed case. </p>

<p>But in either case, would you like to give it another shot? Can you offer any real insight to Whitworth’s official stance on the Bible? </p>

<p>Please, keep your arrogant implication about who you think might or might not be ■■■■■■■■ to yourself. You’re not doing your alma mater any favor, especially considering you are a theology major? Interesting. Dare I ask what your future plan is?</p>

<p>The question is not only important, it is essential to evaluating and assessing Whitworth as an allegedly Christian college. I wonder if you asked it prior to matriculating? Or did you see it as important? Were I a potential student, and especially a theology major, I’d want to know that first and perhaps foremost. Wouldn’t you? As for the question being “volatile”, Perhaps you can expand upon that if you’d like?</p>

<p>Your dept has a stance on the Bible. What is that? Is it proprietary or institutional? (btw, none of this has to do with any specific translation or paraphrase of Scripture. ;))</p>

<p>Finally, the College’s website acknowledges that Whitworth is among a handful of institutions, and the only one west of the Rockies as being identified as “pervasively Presbyterian.” Can you edify that and what it means?</p>

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<p>From the Theology department’s mission statement:</p>

<p>“The Whitworth Theology Department is solidly rooted in the Trinitarian faith of the church throughout the ages. We are committed to the authority of Holy Scripture as God’s word and to the worldwide mission and ministry of Jesus Christ.”</p>

<p>and this</p>

<p>“The theology faculty takes the Christian Gospel and personal discipleship as seriously as it takes its academics. Members of the faculty seek to lay a solid foundation in the Bible, in Christian history and doctrine, and in discipleship in the modern world for students entering a wide range of Christian ministries and other vocations.”</p>