What is the Best Christian College/University in the USA?

College Search & Selection
21

<p>.... Georgetown is technically Christian, but I'm not sure if it'd suit you because it's Jesuit as opposed to Evangelical. On a political spectrum, it's a bit more on the liberal than conservative side when looking at religious institutions. However, it's probably one of the best, if not the best, "Christian" university in the nation. </p>

<p>I think the average SAT more around 1400 as opposed to 1250, but its obviously still tangible if you're open to a Jesuit university.</p>

<p>If not, then the only other school I can think of off the top of my head would probably be Baylor (but someone already said that.)</p>

22

<p>Many students from very conservative Christian high schools in Maryland apply to Messiah (PA) and Liberty (VA).</p>

23

<p>Pepperdine is amazing!!!</p>

24

<p>My D could be one of the kids in the OP's youth group. she belongs to a few of them. Me and H didn't want Protestant Christian (She's been doing that for the last 13 yrs) but she applied to Santa Clara and Pepperdine. We visited Santa Clara and we could all feel good about that, but more observations about Pepperdine and Church of Christ would be nice.</p>

25

<p>If we're throwing Catholic universities into the mix, I would say Notre Dame is definitely right up there with Georgetown.</p>

26

<p>AFAIK, Notre Dame is much more Roman Catholic in its character than Georgetown, but I'm not certain.</p>

27

<p>To the OP, I am a great admirer of Davidson College but I am not sure it meets the criteria you are looking for. Although it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, it does not preach a specific religious value to its students and it embraces religious differences and the broader community. There are many people of faith at the school but politically it is not especially conservative, just not wildly liberal, perhaps moderate compared to other schools of its stature. There are students who belong to active religious fellowships and others who do not who do not attend religious services of any nature. In addition, there are Muslim students and Jewish students, and many Catholic students as well as mainline Protestants. Despite the Presbyterian affiliation, no single religion dominates campus life, nor does doctrine really come into play much. The religion department offers courses in many religions, taught academically, not doctrinally--I suppose secular may be the word here. There is little if any proselytizing by religious students toward their less religious or differently religious colleagues--the college does not promote a sense that one belief system is more valid than another.</p>

<p>Essentially, the school has a strong foundation of ethical behavior and community service but does not really fit the conventional image of Christian school as you may be defining it. That said, it might be an interesting place for young people who have been brought up in a more narrowly Christian tradition, in that it would give them an opportunity to live in a more diverse environment while still being in a setting where some academically gifted students and teachers have religion as part of their lives--but many don't. Ethics and mutual respect are probably among the best lessons to be learned at Davidson, in addition to the high level of academics in general. I think it's the kind of place that makes everyone a better person but that is not tied to a Christian outlook in quite the way that your posts seem to be querying.</p>

28

<p>georgetown, duke .</p>

29

<p>"it might be an interesting place for young people who have been brought up in a more narrowly Christian tradition, in that it would give them an opportunity to live in a more diverse environment while still being in a setting where some academically gifted students and teachers have religion as part of their lives--but many don't. "</p>

<p>That is exactly what I'm looking for! But I'm not the OP ( nor am I my daughter...)</p>

30

<p>OP,</p>

<p>I think I know what your criteria is, so let me put in my 2 cents worth as I have had the chance to travel the country and visit a lot of Christian colleges over the years.</p>

<p>Firstly, please remember that being TRADITIONALLY Christian and having been founded by a church or denomination in the past does not mean that it is NOW Christian. Many colleges today have all but abandoned that tradition. </p>

<p>For instance, the Ivies --- Harvard, Yale, Princeton were originally founded to train Christian Ministers and were very Christian in their worldview. Princeton for instance was founded after the Great Awakening of Jonathan Edwards and was very Presbyterian, adhering to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Needless
to say, these schools have all but abandoned that tradition and are now secular. Yes, they have Divinity Schools, but most of these are liberal ( although there are still pockets of conservatism among the faculty ). However, there is now NO EXPLICIT ADHERENCE to a Creed or Confession of Faith. I am not even sure if the student body or administration is sympathetic to Christian moral values in these schools anymore. Princeton for instance, has a Chair of Ethics occupied by a man who all but advocates infanticide if needed but I won't get to that. </p>

<p>Hence, I would eliminate such excellent traditionally "Christian" colleges/unis as -- Duke University ( founded by Methodists and Quakers), Southern Methodist University ( nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry), Mt. Holyoke College ( Original 7 seven sisters that was founded as a Seminary for women ), Macalester College ( still affiliated with the Presbyterian Church but VERY LIBERAL) in Minnesota and Amherst College ( which was originally founded for indigent young men of promising talents and hopeful piety, who shall manifest a desire to obtain a liberal education with a sole view to the Christian ministry).</p>

<p>Secondly, there are schools that are traditionally Christian but are slowly slipping away from Christian beliefs to become more secular BUT still have a lot of faculty members and administrators that SYMPATHIZE with Christian values and therefore, still demand at least the students subscribe to a code of conduct that MIRROR Christian morality. </p>

<p>DAVIDSON COLLEGE comes to mind. KALAMAZOO COLLEGE in Michigan is another.</p>

<p>These are EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, highly selective, with rigorous academics and strong moral foundations/ethics, conservative in general, but are not explicitly Christian anymore. If you don't mind that at all, I would highly recommend them. </p>

<p>Then there are schools that are church affilitated, adhere to a confession of faith, but where most traditional Christian would consider their creed UNORTHODOX. Let's face it, Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Scientists and sometimes, Seventh Day Adventists are unfortunately considered by most Christians to be out of the mainstream. Heck, even Mitt Romney can't run for president without having his Mormon Faith an issues. Hence, I would eliminate the excellent Brigham Young University because it is Mormon. About 98% of the 34,000 students at BYU are members of the LDS Church and Approximately 97% of male BYU graduates take a two-year hiatus from their studies at some point to be Mormon missionaries.</p>

<p>There are also secular colleges that are CULTURALLY Christian and Conservative but whose administrators, although sympathetic to Christianity, deliberately keep the school secular. If you don't mind this, then such colleges as Hillsdale College in Michigan, Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, and Texas A&M.</p>

<p>There are of course Catholic Colleges whose moral values MIRROR Evangelical ones but whose Theologies and Doctrines are different. If you don't mind this, then the following Schools will be GREAT and EXCELLENT : Franciscan University of Steubenville ( Ohio), Thomas Aquinas College ( California), Christendom College ( Virginia ) and University of Dallas. </p>

<p>Then of course, there are colleges and universities whose environment and culture are still underscored by its foundations in Biblical teachings which fundamentally influence student life and school policy. I am quite sure, based on your posts that these are the schools you have in mind for the kids in your church so I'll recommend specifically such schools. </p>

<p>Since your kids are quite smart ( you said SAT -- Critical Reading and Math averaging over 1250 ), I'll break the schools down into those whose average SAT scores are at or over 1250 and those whose average SAT scores are under that. Keep in mind that having an average SAT score of below 1250 does not mean the schools aren't good or not competitive. It really depends on the PROGRAM you get into. So here goes : </p>

<p>CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS WITH VERY HIGH SAT ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS ( Above 1250 ) :</p>

<p>Grove City College ( already mentioned ). I'd like to add that this school consistently outclashes most Ivy League Universities in consecutive nationwide studies made by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) in cooperation with researchers from the University of Connecticut's Department of Public Policy to determine the extent of civic literacy in higher education. See here for instance :</p>

<p>Grove</a> City students shine in history knowledge - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</p>

<p>Wheaton College ( Illinois ) : Alma mater of Billy Graham. More well known than Grove City because of its more high profile alumni. </p>

<p>Pepperdine University : Opulent hillside paradise in L.A.'s ritzy Malibu ... With popularity surging, only one in three applicants accepted ... Affiliation with Disciples of Christ means no drinking and strict visitation rules ... Dancing now allowed ... Business is by far the most popular program.</p>

<p>Baylor University : Flagship of the Southern Baptist Convention.</p>

<p>Calvin College : Noted for operating under an articulate and systematic vision. The thrust of the Calvin vision is that the Christian worldview can and should engage the various secular fields of learning with the intent of transforming them into agents of Christian renewal.</p>

<p>GOOD CHRISTIAN COLLEGES WITH AVERAGE SAT's BELOW 1250 :</p>

<p>Cedarville University (Ohio)</p>

<p>Regent University (Virginia)</p>

<p>Liberty University</p>

<p>Messiah College ( Pennsylvania ) </p>

<p>Indiana Wesleyan University</p>

<p>Biola University ( Los Angeles )</p>

<p>College of the Ozarks ( Missouri)</p>

<p>Harding University ( Arkansas)</p>

<p>Hope College ( Michigan)</p>

<p>Azusa Pacific (California)</p>

<p>Anderson University ( Indiana )</p>

<p>Belhaven College ( Mississippi )</p>

<p>Union University ( Tennessee )</p>

<p>I'm sure I've missed some others, but these are my recommendations.</p>

31

<p>Have you looked at Patrick Henry College in VA?
Its a very small, VERY Christian school in the DC area with a strong emphasis on academic rigor. Also, if any of your students are involved in conservative politics, Patrick Henry students got 7% of the White House internships last year. The school was profiled in a book called "God's Harvard" recently.</p>

32

<p>Well, what can I say about Patrick Henry College ?</p>

<p>Firstly, the reason why it got 7% of the White House internships last year is because of its strong ties with the Republican Party and the Bush administration,and its high emphasis on debate and moot court. The school is known for the religious affirmations that all students and faculty must agree to and continually uphold.</p>

<p>Please be aware that Patrick Henry has experienced internal controversy when, in March 2006, one-third of the full-time faculty left the school claiming that they felt the school limited their academic freedom. In addition, the school was one of the targets of the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, and garnered national news coverage by its refusal to allow the organization on its property.</p>

<p>Other than that, yes it is the first college in America founded specifically for Christian home-schooled students, and is known for its evangelical Christian focus.</p>

<p>Note that All students sign a Statement of Faith before they arrive, affirming belief in what the college considers core Christian doctrines. For example, students are asked to acknowledge "Satan exists as a personal, malevolent being who acts as tempter and accuser, for whom Hell, the place of eternal punishment, was prepared, where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity", and that "Christ's death provides substitutionary atonement for our sins." The college has non-denominational Christian beliefs.</p>

<p>If you don't mind that, it's a fine school with rigorous academics as well.</p>

33

<p>Shrinkrap,</p>

<p>In regards to your question :</p>

<p>"more observations about Pepperdine and Church of Christ would be nice."</p>

<p>Here's what I personally have observed.</p>

<p>These distinctive traits usually define today's Churches of Christ:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>The refusal to hold to any formalized creeds or statements of faith, in preference for the Bible itself ( in contrast say with more traditional denominations like Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians which are CREEDAL ).</p></li>
<li><p>Autonomous, congregational church organization without denominational oversight.</p></li>
<li><p>Local governance by a plurality of male elders in cooperation with a preacher </p></li>
<li><p>The teaching that both repentance and believer's baptism (by immersion) are necessary in order to receive forgiveness of sins </p></li>
<li><p>The weekly observance of Communion, referred to as the Lord's Supper </p></li>
<li><p>The practice of a cappella (non-instrumental) worship, usually as a matter of strict doctrine but sometimes as a simple matter of preference.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Members do not typically consider themselves to be members of a denomination, but prefer to simply be known as "Christians" (in contrast to, for example, a Catholic Christian, a Presbyterian Christian, a Baptist Christian, etc.), with no other religious title needed or preferred. Thus, they believe a collective group of Christians should be referred to as a Church of Christ.</p>

<p>Notice that because there is NO CENTRAL PLACE OR CONVENTION like the Vatican or the Southern Baptist Convention that defines the system of belief, it follows each person is free to interprete the Bible the way he/she see's fit.</p>

<p>The result is of course MIXED. Some Churches of Christ are liberal ( to a point where even fundamentals of the faith are now questioned ) and some are conservative.</p>

<p>Now as to Pepperdine, the school was founded in the 1930's by George Peppderdine, dedicated to a greater goal—that of building in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind.</p>

<p>The general student populace are unabashedly Christian and the administrators are Christian. Faculty and staff support the University's mission of academic excellence and Christian values.</p>

<p>Princeton Review ranked Pepperdine on the list of colleges with "Dorms Like Palaces" in 2004 and 2007 and #1 under "Most Beautiful Campus" in 2006 and 2007 ( the campus almost got affected by the recent California wildfire that hit Malibu). But the scenery is gorgeous from the campus, overlooking the Ocean. The location can't be beat.</p>

<p>Pepperdine also appeared on other Princeton Review lists including "Students Pray on a Regular Basis," and "High Quality of Life." </p>

<p>Because of its Christian affiliation, many contend that the student body breeds a religious and politically conservative atmosphere ( but this is exactly what the Op I think is looking for ).</p>

<p>So, if students are looking to have casual sex, drink, alternative lifestyles, etc. THIS SCHOOL IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO TO.</p>

<p>The school also produces a lot of Peace Corps volunteers ( tops in the country). Its law school is rated among the top 100 law schools in the country by U.S. News and World Reports ( Dean of Law School -- Kenneth Starr, the prosecutor of Bill Clinton at the Monica Lewinsky Scandal ).</p>

<p>BusinessWeek also ranks it as having one of the world's Top 25 Executive MBA programs. So, if you want a school with a great Business School, this is it.</p>

<p>The school ain't cheap though, so unless you get good aid or a scholarship, be prepared to get into debt. Recent estimate of tuition, board and lodgings is close to $47,000 a year. Roughly 70% of the students get some form of aid.</p>

34

<p>Thank you!. That statement of faith thing at Patrick Henry worries me. Do you know off hand what other schools have something like that? And alos, where does what I consider a "good" science education fit in, specifically things like evolution ( me and dad are physicians and I think D might be a little conflicted. My son "accuses" us of being "evolutionists")?</p>

35

<p>Regarding your question :</p>

<p>"Do you know off hand what other schools have something like that?"</p>

<p>I think most evangelical schools subscribe to some statement of faith, if not explicitly, then implicitly.</p>

<p>After all "I BELIEVE IN GOD, AND JESUS IS HIS SON" is a creed acknowledged by the majority of Christians ( and that would be hundreds of millions of people in this country).</p>

<p>For instance, Baylor University, a big university with 12,000 students would implicitly subscribe to the statement of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention. Brigham Young University ( an even bigger school ) would subscribe to the creed of the Later Day Saints ( AKA the Mormon Church ).</p>

<p>I am not personally worried about adhering to some creed. After all, WE ALL DO ADHERE TO SOME CREED whether formal or informal.</p>

<p>"I don't believe in hell" is a creed isn't it ? even if negatively stated.</p>

36

<p>OK, but this kind of language is what I find particularly unsettling</p>

<p>" where all who die outside of Christ shall be confined in conscious torment for eternity",</p>

<p>My D just completed some major "Creed" project; I'll ask for a look at it.This whole thing makes me reflect on my Catholic education. I know I repeated the "Apostles Creed" but never really thought@what I was saying.</p>

37

<p>Pepperdine (Malibu) is Church of Christ as is Lipscomb Unviersity (Nashville). They tend to be fairly cliquey and borderline cultish at times and extremely conservative. Lipscomb is an unbelievably hideous campus and has no redeeming qualities as far as beauty is concerned.
Baylor U is great,no alcohol is permitted on campus and the overall environment is very wholesome. My niece will be a freshman in 2008 and she can't wait to go!
Wheaton is also fairly conservative and I have never heard anything great about its campus.
BYU-you really need to be Mormon to have any friends there and I would never consider it a "Christian" college, it is a Mormon college,period.
Davidson is small, very good academics, and it is not really a church affiliated school anymore.
Sewanee has Episcopalian ties but the main focus after hours is drinking-my sister went there years ago,she left.</p>

38

<p>Thanks for all your input and advice.</p>

<p>They were all very helpful.</p>

<p>I am also encouraged by reading articles like these ( which I'd like to share with all readers of this thread ):</p>

<p>Rising</a> Tide of Applications Lifts Fortunes of Christian Colleges</p>

39

<p>Well, Fordham in New Yoirk deserves a mention, it is a Jesuit university that emphasizes developing the morality and ethics of a student, along with their intellect. It was named the hottest Catholic University in the U.S by Newsweek and USN&WR ranks it 67th in the Nation among the first tier of top schools on the National Universities list, Religious studies are part of the required core curiculum...</p>

<p>quote: </p>

<p>[Hottest Catholic School
Fordham University, New York, N.Y.</p>

<p>Amanda Fiscina was one of only 300 national semifinalists in the Intel Science Talent Search. That virtually wrote her ticket to an Ivy League school. So why did she pick Fordham? </p>

<p>Although she's Roman Catholic, Fiscina had gone to public schools on Long Island, and wasn't thinking about a Catholic college until she attended a Fordham information session. She was impressed not just by the academics, but the school's commitment "to prepare us as people with strong morals, values and ethical behavioral standards." With 7,700 undergrads, Fordham has mostly small classes, never more than 25 students in Fiscina's first year.]</p>

<p>quote:</p>

<p>[Fordham University
Mission Statement</p>

<p>The Mission of the University:</p>

<p>Fordham University, the Jesuit University of New York, is committed to the discovery of Wisdom and the transmission of Learning, through research and through undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality. Guided by its Catholic and Jesuit traditions, Fordham fosters the intellectual, moral and religious development of its students and prepares them for leadership in a global society.]</p>

<p>Religious</a> Traditions</p>

<p>[Mission[/url</a>]</p>

<p>[url=<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/id/32225/page/3%5D25"&gt;http://www.newsweek.com/id/32225/page/3]25&lt;/a> Hottest Universities | Newsweek Kaplan College Guide | Newsweek.com](<a href="http://www.fordham.edu/discover_fordham/fordham_at_a_glance/mission_11711.asp%5DMission%5B/url"&gt;http://www.fordham.edu/discover_fordham/fordham_at_a_glance/mission_11711.asp)&lt;/p>

<p>USNews.com:</a> America's Best Colleges 2008: Fordham University: At a glance</p>

40

<p>Most of the suggestions on this board are absolutely ridiculous. </p>

<p>90% of the schools mentioned in this thread are hardly Christian University's. Many universities have affiliations with certain denominations left over decades or even centuries ago, but these same universities are teaching naturalism, postmodern thought and pluralism in their philosophy, science and theology courses. </p>

<p>Most of the people on this board are just posting the one or two colleges they are familiar with and actually have no real knowledge of the university. This is obvious by how many of these "Suggested Christian Universities" are anything but Christian. </p>

<p>There are TWO choices for an orthodox evangelical education that will be respected by the secular world. ONLY TWO CHOICES:</p>

<ol>
<li>Wheaton College in Illinois</li>
<li>Biola University</li>
</ol>

<p>That. Is. It. </p>

<p>The rest of the colleges that fit the appropriate commitment to Christian Scholarship are not developed enough or are too new to be considered a top choice. </p>

<p>I strongly urge you to e-mail me as I can assure you that there are very few posters on college confidential that can offer you an INFORMED opinion as I have done quite a bit of study on this given my desire to donate to the appropriate Christian Institutions of Higher Education.</p>

<p>Note: I am still doing research into Grove City College - this MAY be a third viable alternative but clearly lacks the reputation of either Biola or Wheaton</p>