<p>When it comes to Christian Universities, most people simply rattle off the one or two local universities that they know and say "that one is the one you should go to".</p>
<p>The highest ranked, national university with a commitment to Christian Education is Biola University. As I have said in previous posts, there is absolutely no comparison what-so-ever when it comes to facilities, educational quality, a proper balance between Christian Education and Intellectualism (i.e. No one teaching at Biola thinks Noah was having tea parties with velociraptors) and the highest levels of respect in both secular and Christian circles than Biola is the king of the roost. </p>
<p>I would second Gordon College in MA. My son's swim team practices at the college and we have spent a fair amount of time on the very nice campus. It's nondenominational. The students are friendly and seem very happy there.</p>
<p>Everyone here is assuming that by "Christian" the parents mean "fundamentalist". If so, then the mainstream places like Georgetown and Notre Dame will not fill the bill. Plus many fundamentalist Christians would reject Catholic options. Gtown and ND are both extremely competitive for admissions, and, barring other attributes that you did not include, she probably could not get in.</p>
<p>If Catholic is ok, then Holy Cross and Boston College might be worth looks. There are several Quaker colleges that take their religion seriously, but that maintain full respect for individual liberty and academic freedom. Again, this may not be what the parents want. Haverford and Swarthmore are only for very strong students. Earlham and Guilford have outstanding academic programs, but are easier than H and S to get into.</p>
<p>My grandparents live in Wheaton and I have practically grown up there.
The town is clean, beautiful, and safe, as is the surrounding area.
If you aren't bothered by the area's rather strident brand of conservatism (the county is easily one of the most Republican in the country) I would highly recommend going to school there.</p>
<p>This is not a political board. Just because your political views do not comport with someone else or the President does not make them "creepy." </p>
<p>Everyone is entitled to their own views, and particularly at private colleges that are not state supported, they are entitled to their own views of politics and the world, including their own religious doctrine. If you dont like it, dont go there. There are many schools whose doctrine I dont like. Some of them are extreme right wing and ultra conservative theologically and some of them are ultra left wing and ultra liberal ....even anti theological. It is what makes our country such a great place to live and learn, that we can have differing opinions and tolerate them, unlike some of our enemies where differing views can get you jailed or executed. In many countries you are not allowed to possess a Bible, practice or teach Christianity or Judaism, and they have their own religious police to enforce their own views of Islam. Even countries that are friendly to us like Saudi Arabia. </p>
<p>I think college is about respect for other points of view. There is one school I have in mind that I know is very hostile to Roman Catholicism and has said some very vicious things. But I respect their right to have their point of view because I believe strongly in the freedom of religion and other constitutional rights.</p>
<p>I think our country is bountiful with public and private colleges. I am very proud of that fact and that we are a beacon of hope to the world because we are tolerant of differing points of views, including views that are antithetical to our own. There are limits to my tolerance but that is not for this thread. </p>
<p>I have even encouraged so called athiests to apply to catholic colleges because I believe that many of them are still searching for God in their own way and are discouraged by human failures, and bring another point of view to the discussion. </p>
<p>I just hope that college applicants do a good job of researching the schools on their list and find a school(s) that fits them academically, socially, geographicall and financially, where they can thrive and be happy.</p>
<p>Pepperdine is the highest ranked school that maintains some protestant denominational ties. I would argue for SMU as well, but it seems to have a looser relationship, along with being ranked lower as well. (protestant) Chrisitian colleges really start to drop off after that......if you shoot for something more along the lines of Liberty, make sure that the school will still be accredited by the time you graduate. This could be important if you want a job in the real world.</p>
<p>armcp is correct about Pepperdine being the highest ranked university that still maintains denominational ties, but the relationship is extremely loose. Most people in Southern California do not recognize Pepperdine as being a Christian university. </p>
<p>So, if you want "Diet Christian" then Pepperdine is the best choice.</p>
<p>If you want a full Christian experience that still provides a respected education, then your next best bet is Biola University. </p>
<p>Samford University in Birmingham, AL is with Baptist convention (not to be confused with Southern Baptist). They are very active in that respect and there is a big Christian presence on campus. Academics here are really strong in pretty much every area. It's pretty easy to get into and gives extremely generous financial aid, as well.</p>
<p>Funnily enough I am about to transfer elsewhere from here in part to the whole religion thing. It's definitely a school worth checking out, though.</p>
<p>"Most people in Southern California do not recognize Pepperdine as being a Christian university. "</p>
<p>Depends on your audience. When Pepperdine came to give their presentation to a Summer Experience group at UCLA, the audience thought they were extremely Christian. Then again, the audience was a combination of Jews from Long Island and Miami and a group of kids from Kuwait. At the end, when the very upbeat admissions counselor asked how many kids were Christian, not one kid raised their hand.</p>
<p>I would submit most people in Southern California do recognize Pepperdine as being a Christian university. But in phear_me's circle, not Christian enough.</p>
<p>Pepperdine is a top choice for my D. The Pepperdine board is pretty slow. Any other comments about Pepperdine? Any thoughts about their teachings on evolution? Much to my chagrin, my D actually broached this in her Pepperdine application; that she was interested in studying in a setting that taught something other than evaluation. I encouraged her to say alongside evolution. IWW, she wants to major in Biology, and her dad and I are physicians. My son calls us "evolutionists" Arghhh; My d is fairly open minded.</p>
<p>College is for education, churches are for religion. If you want to get a good educational experience why not try a non-religious school and get a different perspective on the world. I promise you that the athiests won't beat you up in the bathroom or force their heathen beliefs on your precious souls.</p>
<p>I would take a look at Houghton College if I were you. </p>
<p>It is a "strong" Christian College (chapel required) and it looks strict on paper but thats about it. No points system for doing "bad things," no dress code, no curfew, no parenting by the school. Basically the only rule is: "don't get caught drinking." Easy enough.</p>
<p>Some of the _____ Wesleyans are good (Ohio Wes, Illinois Wes)</p>
<p>Hillsdale</p>
<p>Grove City</p>
<p>Cedarville</p>
<p>Baylor</p>
<p>If she doesn't want a sheltered, narrow college experience she should probably stay away from the REALLY religious ones...Biola, Patrick Henry, BJU and Liberty are known as having pretty ridiculous rules and regulations, and strictly controlled curricula.</p>