The best Christian colleges in the US in 2023
Many Christian universities offer a fairly high return on your educational investment.
These include both semi-religious institutions, where the classroom is largely secular, as well as evangelical colleges with a God-centered curriculum.
We list the best Christian universities in the US, splitting them into the best Evangelical Christian colleges, the best Catholic colleges, the best religiously affiliated colleges (including some mostly secular ones), and the best online Christian colleges.
Looking for a high-value college degree that provides academic excellence while honoring Christ? Studying in an environment that upholds Christian values does not mean you have to compromise on economic value.
Many Christian colleges in America are conferring lucrative degrees that prepare graduates for the job market in a Christ-centered environment.
Christian universities have played a key role in American higher education for centuries, with various denominations – like the Methodist, Quaker, and Presbyterian churches, as well as Catholic orders like the Jesuits – founding hundreds of colleges and universities across the country.
Today, around 63% of America’s private, not-for-profit colleges and universities have official ties with a Christian denomination.
While the choices are abundant for those who wish to study in a Christ-centered environment, not all Christian colleges are a great deal economically, with some conferring expensive degrees that are difficult to pay back after graduation.
In this article, we reveal the best Christian colleges in the US in 2023 according to value for money, proving that you don’t always have to choose between financial pragmatism and your values. All our data comes from College Scorecard and IPEDS, which are government data resources that compile information on institutions of higher learning.
What is religious affiliation in higher ed?
When a college or university has a religious affiliation, it simply means that it maintains official ties with a certain religion or denomination. In the US, all Christian-affiliated colleges are private.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), a government agency that compiles facts and statistics about higher education in the U.S., keeps track of what colleges maintain a religious affiliation.
The role religion plays on nominally Christian college campuses varies greatly.
Some colleges maintain historical ties to the Christian denomination that founded them, but religion is entirely absent from the lecture room, and there is a focus on diversity and inter-faith dialogue. Professors may be atheist, and there could be resources available to students of all confessional backgrounds, like an interfaith prayer room or a Muslim or Jewish chaplain.
Such colleges are sometimes termed “semi-religious institutions”. Examples include Emory, Georgetown, and Duke. Emory and Duke in particular retain very loose ties with the churches they were once associated with – their ethos is truly secular.
» Also read: The best conservative colleges in the U.S.
At other colleges, faith is an integral part of the curriculum and campus life. Students may be required to attend chapels and sign a faith statement to enroll. Failing to follow a religious code of behavior could result in expulsion.
Many Christian colleges fall somewhere between these 2 poles.
How many Christian colleges are there in the United States?
There are approximately 600 private Christian colleges in the US. This number rises to over 700 if special-focus arts and technical institutions are included.
Of these, 182 are Catholic colleges, while most of the rest are affiliated with a Protestant denomination. There are only 2 Orthodox colleges in the US.
Note that this article refers to 4-year, degree-granting institutions that offer a variety of majors – not to theological seminaries whose primary goal is to train pastors and religious leaders (although sometimes seminaries are administered as part of a Christian university).
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How we rank Christian colleges
At Degreechoices, our goal is to help prospective college students make smart, economically grounded decisions about their education.
Most Americans take out loans to pay for college in the hopes that this financial investment will pay off in the long run in the form of higher earnings. Students at Christian colleges are no exception.
However, from an economic perspective, many colleges just aren’t worth the money and the debt. To help you determine what colleges provide the best return on investment, we have come up with transparent methodology that relies on government data on college costs and future earnings. We use these variables to generate an Economic Score indicating what colleges have the best return on investment (ROI): the lower the Economic Score, the better. The average Economic Score for all colleges in the U.S. is 4.34.
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In this article, we have applied our usual methodology to Christian colleges. We understand that as a Christian, you may place more value on learning and growing in a Christ-oriented environment than simply on going to a college that’s the “best deal”.
However, because Christian colleges are all private institutions, they tend to be more expensive than public universities (though they are a little cheaper on average than non-religious private colleges). While many offer scholarships, they still have a much higher average net cost than public schools, meaning many attendees must take out a lot of student loans.
Fortunately, as our rankings show, your faith does not have to conflict with wise financial planning if you pick your Christian college carefully.
The best Christian colleges in America
Below, we list the top Christian universities by economic value. All 4 lists are ranked according to our Economic Score metric, which measures the ROI of college degrees.
We have compiled 4 separate rankings of the best Christian colleges and universities
Best Evangelical Christian colleges (Christ-centered colleges). To help guide students who wish to study on an unabashedly Christian campus, this ranking only includes universities that make it clear on their home page or in their mission statement that they are committed to fostering a Christian environment. This list includes only Protestant denominations (like the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Lutheran churches, etc.)
Best Catholic colleges in the US (Christ-centered colleges). This list consists of Catholic colleges exclusively. As with the Evangelical colleges ranking, we have only included colleges that make clear references to Christian values on their website.
Top Christian universities (all colleges with a religious affiliation). This ranking lists the Christian-affiliated colleges and universities with the highest Economic Scores. It includes semi-religious institutions, where Christianity may not play any role at all in the curriculum. Both Catholic- and Protestant-affiliated schools appear on this list. This colleges on this list have better Economic Scores on average than the other lists.
Best online Christian colleges. These are the best Christian colleges where all programs are offered wholly online.
The best Evangelical Christian colleges in the US (Christ-centered colleges)
When it comes to God-centered institutions, the best Christian colleges in the US are Warner Pacific, Elmhurst, and Concordia University, Saint Paul .
On this list, we have only included universities that make it clear on their website that they are committed to fostering an environment imbued with Christian principles. We have only included Protestant-affiliated denominations on this list, by which we mean all major types of Christianity except Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Colleges are ranked by our Economic Score metric.
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
Portland, Oregon
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Billing itself as a Christ-centered, urban liberal arts university, Warner Pacific is a college in Portland, Oregon affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson). Their values and core themes include “engaging our spiritual journey with Christ at the center” and “cultivating a Christ-centered learning community.”
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Elmhurst is a private liberal arts college in Chicago, Illinois that is “grounded in [its] individual traditions and those of the United Church of Christ.” It organizes an annual religious lecture series and names its core values as “open engagement and radical hospitality”. It has been officially designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Concordia University-Saint Paul is a liberal arts university in Saint Paul, Minnesota affiliated with the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). It is part of the Concordia University System, a network of 7 Lutheran colleges. Concordia University-Saint Paul is a “Christ-centered university” that “remains faithful to the deep and enlivening Christian faith and ethos.”
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Fresno Pacific is a liberal arts university in Central California. While it is affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Churches, although Christians of many different denominations attend. Their website makes it clear that Fresno Pacific University is “centered upon Christ and His church…committed to the ideals of God’s Kingdom and to the perspective of the liberal arts in which integration of faith, learning and action is a primary goal.”
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion
Marion, Indiana
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian college with its roots in Methodism. Its main campus is located in Marion, Indiana, but it has 10 other regional education centers in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. It is a “Christ-centered academic community committed to changing the world by developing students in character, scholarship, and leadership”. One of its key tenets is biblical authority.
North Park University
Chicago, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
North Park is an evangelical college in Chicago, Illinois’ north side. Teaching is rooted in Christianity, although students of all faith backgrounds are welcome. It equips its students “for the workforce and to lead a meaningful life in service to God and others.” It also houses the North Park Theological Seminary.
Central Christian College of Kansas
McPherson, Kansas
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Central Christian College of Kansas is in McPherson, Kansas, right in the center of the state. It advertises itself as “Christian through and through” and is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church of North America. Its vision is “to provide a transformative educational experience rooted in Christ, to any person desiring to become a faithful steward of heart, mind, soul, and strength.”
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Another member of the Concordia University System, Concordia University-Chicago is in Chicago’s River Forest neighborhood. It bills itself as a place where “the Gospel lives and forms our students” with a “focus on service and faith”.
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
An officially designated military friendly school, the University of the Cumberlands is a Christian college in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It was founded by a group of Baptist ministers. It is “grounded in Christian principles and leadership through service.”
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Olivet Nazarene is a Christian university located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Christ’s teachings infuse the curriculum, as the university believes that “all truth is God’s truth, and therefore, cannot be segmented into secular and non-secular categories and departments”.
Bethel University
McKenzie, Tennessee
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Bethel University, a private Christian college in McKenzie, Tennessee, is affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It provides students with the opportunity to “grow intellectually, spiritually, and socially in a Christian environment.”
Northwest University
Kirkland, Washington
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Northwest University is a Christian college in Kirkland, WA, just minutes away from Seattle. It is affiliated with the Assemblies of God churches. Northwest has an active campus ministry that cultivates Christian spiritual formation through teaching, community, practice, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Oakland City University
Oakland City, Indiana
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Oakland City is a Baptist university that offers a Christian learning environment. It is located in Oakland City, Indiana. The university prides itself on its social mobility rankings, with 33% of attendees being first-generation college students. It offers weekly chapel services, a robust campus ministry, and praise and worship nights.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The logo of this Wesleyan college is “influencing culture with the Grace & Truth of Jesus Christ”. Located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Wesleyan aims for “the spiritual encouragement of a community in pursuit of Jesus Christ”.
Criswell College
Dallas, Texas
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A Southern Baptist college located in vibrant Dallas, Texas, Criswell combines economic value with a Christ-oriented environment. Its mission is to “provide ministerial and professional higher education for men and women preparing to serve as Christian leaders throughout society, while maintaining an institutional commitment to biblical inerrancy”.
The best Catholic colleges in the US (Christ-centered colleges)
According to educational investment value, the 3 best Catholic colleges are, the University of Notre Dame, Christian Brothers University, and Santa Clara University.
As with our rankings of Protestant colleges, we looked at each college’s website and ensured their home page, “about,” “student life,” or introductory section included clear references to Christianity or Catholic values. These colleges are ranked by Economic Score.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic university located in Indiana. The university claims that its “Catholic character informs all it does,” influencing everything that happens on campus. There is an emphasis on giving back to the community, with 80% of students participating in service or service learning before graduation.
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, Tennessee
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Christian Brothers is a Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee founded by the De La Salle Brothers, a Catholic lay religious congregation. While there is an active Catholic campus ministry that organizes retreats and community services, it emphasizes that students of all faiths are welcome on campus. While “students of diverse cultures and religious traditions are encouraged to grow in their own faith,” one of their education principles is a “Christian perspective.”
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Saint Xavier is a Catholic college in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy. A ministry of the Roman Catholic Church, it has a diverse student body and is an officially designed Hispanic-Serving Institution. Its core values include respect, excellence, compassion, service, hospitality, integrity, diversity, and learning for life.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Santa Clara is a Jesuit university in Silicon Valley. Carrying on the proud heritage of Jesuit scholarship, Santa Clara “blends high-tech innovation with a social consciousness.” Santa Clara treasures its Jesuit heritage and tradition and Catholic identity.
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, Michigan
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The largest Catholic university in Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy is sponsored by the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy. According to the college’s website, a Detroit Mercy education “seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of our students.”
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, New York
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Molloy University is a private Catholic University founded by the Dominicans. It is located in Rockville Center, New York, on Long Island. Education at Molloy is grounded in “the Catholic ideals of truth and respect for the dignity and worth of every individual”.
Felician University
Lodi, New Jersey
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
One of the few Franciscan Catholic Universities in the US, Felician University is a private college in Lodi, New Jersey. Its “enduring purpose” is to “promote a love for learning, a desire for God, self-knowledge, service to others, and respect for all creation.”
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, Nebraska
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The College of Saint Mary is a Catholic college for women in Omaha, Nebraska founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Despite its affiliation, only 32% of its student body is Catholic. Its mission is to “provide access to education for women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership.”
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, Maryland
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Located in Baltimore, Notre Dame of Maryland was the first Catholic college for women in America. It “promotes the advancement of women and provides a liberal arts education in the Catholic tradition.”
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The top Christian universities in the US (all colleges with a religious affiliation)
The top Christian-affiliated colleges in the US are Georgetown, University of Notre Dame, and Duke. Note that while these colleges all have a historic religious affiliation, instruction may have a completely secular or inter-faith orientation. Duke and Emory are prominent examples. We have listed them here as they are technically Christian-affiliated colleges according to official government data, and many of these semi-religious institutions are the best “deals” in terms of ROI.
While this could be the perfect environment for Christian (and non-Christian) students who wish to explore their faith in a dynamic, confessionally diverse environment, students who want Christianity to play a larger role in their education should focus on the two lists above, keeping in mind that colleges below have a better average Economic Score.
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Some may be surprised to learn that Georgetown has a religious affiliation. In fact, this Jesuit college in Washington D.C. is the oldest Catholic university in the US. While it provides “Catholic community members plenty of opportunities to engage with Ignatian spirituality and Catholic traditions through services, retreats, dialogues” its curriculum is secular, and many students come from different faith traditions.
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A highly selective college in historic Durham, North Carolina, Duke University was founded by Quakers and Methodists and retains ties with the Methodist Church. To this day, Duke is home to the Duke Divinity School, a Methodist seminary. However, religion does not play a visible role on campus, and students learn according to a secular curriculum.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of Notre Dame is a private Catholic university located in Indiana. The university claims that its “Catholic character informs all it does,” influencing everything that happens on campus. There is an emphasis on giving back to the community, with 80% of students participating in service or service learning before graduation.
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Like Duke, Emory has historically been affiliated with the Methodist Church, and there is a Methodist seminary on campus. Today, however, Emory emphasizes its religious diversity, with chaplaincies for the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, and Hindu faiths. Teaching is completely secular.
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A private Catholic university in Philadelphia, Holy Family was founded in 1954 by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. It lists its core values as “family, respect, integrity, service and responsibility, learning, and vision. ”It highlights its “Catholic Intellectual Tradition that recognizes the search for Truth as unending and teaches that the dialog should be inclusive of persons and points of view.”
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, Tennessee
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Christian Brothers is a Catholic university in Memphis, Tennessee founded by the De La Salle Brothers, a Catholic lay religious congregation. While there is an active Catholic campus ministry that organizes retreats and community services, it emphasizes that students of all faiths are welcome on campus. While “students of diverse cultures and religious traditions are encouraged to grow in their own faith,” one of their education principles is a “Christian perspective.”
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Saint Xavier is a Catholic college in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy. A ministry of the Roman Catholic Church, it has a diverse student body and is an officially designed Hispanic-Serving Institution. Its core values include respect, excellence, compassion, service, hospitality, integrity, diversity, and learning for life.
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, Michigan
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The largest Catholic university in Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy is sponsored by the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy. According to the colleges’ website, a Detroit Mercy education “seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of our students.”
Felician University
Lodi, New Jersey
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
One of the few Franciscan Catholic Universities in the US, Felician University is a private college in Lodi, New Jersey. Its “enduring purpose” is to “promote a love for learning, a desire for God, self-knowledge, service to others, and respect for all creation.”
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, Nebraska
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The College of Saint Mary is a Catholic college for women in Omaha, Nebraska founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Despite its affiliation, only 32% of its student body is Catholic. Its mission is to “provide access to education for women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership.”
The best online Christian colleges
The top 3 online Christian colleges are Warner Pacific and Faith International University. Due to a lack of comprehensive data on future earnings for graduates at the remaining schools, we were unable to generate an Economic Score for all the colleges on this list.
Our list only includes colleges whose entire course offering is available online. Other Christian colleges may have more limited options available for online learners.
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
Portland, Oregon
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Billing itself as a Christ-centered, urban, liberal arts university, Warner Pacific is affiliated with the Church of God (Anderson). It offers “fully online accelerated degree programs designed with working professionals in mind.” Students can also choose to attend class in person one night a week.
Faith International University
Tacoma, Washington
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
FIU is an inter-denominational Christian college “committed to strengthening communities around the world through Christian education.” It is based out of Tacoma, Washington. They offer on-campus, hybrid, and online education, although remote learning is not available to students from all states.
The Baptist College of Florida
Graceville, Florida
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The Baptist College of Florida, which is based in Graceville, labels itself a “distinctly Christian” and “Bible-based” college. All of its degrees, majors, and courses are available online. Note that this college’s Economic Score is considerably worse than the average of 4.34.
Amridge University
Montgomery, Alabama
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Amridge University is based in Montgomery, Alabama. It is “dedicated to the spirit of its Christian ideals and heritage.” Online learning is the college’s primary focus.
Southern California Seminary
El Cajon, California
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This small seminary is located near San Diego, California. It is associated with the nearby Shadow Mountain Community Church. While the college mostly focuses on theology-based master’s degrees, it also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, which is available 100% online.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Cromwell, Connecticut
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This Catholic college is based in Cromwell, Connecticut. It advertises a “faithfully Catholic, 100% online liberal arts degree program”. Undergrads can major in English, history, liberal arts, philosophy, sacred art, or theology.
Beulah Heights University
Atlanta, Georgia
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Beulah Heights is a Christian university based in Atlanta Georgia. Its mission is to “develop relevant Christian leaders for the ministry and the marketplace.” Its core values include biblical inerrancy and integrity. Thanks to its Department of Digital Learning, all BHU classes are offered online.
Amberton University
Garland, Texas
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A non-denominational Christian college, Amberton is a higher learning institution specially designed for working adults. It is “is committed to Christian values, both in its conduct of business and in its educational philosophy.” Most of its undergraduate degrees are related to various aspects of business. All are online.
Ottawa University, Online
Ottawa, Kansas
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Ottawa University tailors its programs to adult and non-traditional students. It is proud of its “foundation as a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry.” It offers 100% online programs to students throughout the country, although it has branches in Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Kansas City.
Los Angeles Pacific University
San Dimas, California
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Some schools may not provide complete data to IPEDS, impacting our ability to rank them. Unavailable information is marked N/A.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
LAPU advertises itself as California’s most affordable online Christian university. Its focus is on working adults, and all its programs are online. Its 3 core tenets are faith, life, and learning.
Final thoughts
The Christian higher education landscape is rich and diverse, with hundreds of options for aspiring collegegoers, no matter their denomination. These Christian universities range from mostly secular to very pious and biblically oriented. There are also options for working adults who wish to study online in a Christian digital community.
Regardless of whether you’re considering a Jesuit 4-year university or a small online Baptist liberal arts college, higher education in America is expensive, and the money factor should play a major role in your decision making – alongside your Christian values. Our Economic Score empowers you to make smart decisions about your college investment.
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