Are you interested in a solid education that challenges you while growing your faith? We’ve compiled this list just for you! Here you’ll find some of the country’s top-ranked Christian colleges and universities. We chose these schools based on biblical values, accreditation, student population, affordability, financial aid offered and number of programs.
When you’re doing your own research, we encourage you to also think about the school’s retention rates, student to faculty ratio and, of course, campus experience.
*We’ve organized the list from most affordable to most expensive.
Top 25 Christian Colleges & Universities
1. College of the Ozarks—Point Lookout, Mo.
It’s a Christian liberal arts college where no tuition is charged because of work study. Their vision is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working and patriotic.
- Student Population: 1,400
- Total annual cost: $0 (How? Work study & Grants & Scholarship!) (If you want to pay cash for tuition, it would be $18,300.)
- Programs: 42
2. Liberty University—Lynchburg, Va.
It’s the nation’s largest private nonprofit Christian university with a commitment of training champions for Christ.
- Student Population: 110,000
- Total annual cost: $21,300
- Programs: 450
3. Lipscomb University—Nashville, Tenn.
LU is a faith-based, liberal arts institution dedicated to challenging students academically, spiritually and as global community citizens.
- Student Population: 2,583
- Total annual cost: $25,290
- Programs: 117
4. Baylor University—Waco, Texas
This private Christian University is a nationally ranked research institution, and is one of the top Texas colleges and universities.
- Student Population: 15,000
- Total annual cost: $26,399
- Percent on Financial Aid: 90 percent
- Programs: 141
5. Belmont University—Nashville, Tenn.
Their student-centered Christian community provides an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.
- Student Population: 7,400
- Total annual cost: $27,380
- Programs: 80
6. Wheaton College—Wheaton, Ill.
This is a top-ranked academically rigorous private evangelical Protestant Christian Liberal Arts college west of Chicago.
- Student Population: 2,444
- Total annual cost: $30,880
- Percent on Financial Aid: 52 percent, Average Grant Aid: $15,373
- Programs: 40
7. Calvin College—Grand Rapids, Mich.
This top-ranked Christian liberal arts college prides themselves in their rigorous academic study, intellectual inquiry and intentional Christian community.
- Student Population: 3,993
- Total annual cost: $30,425
- Percent on Financial Aid: 96 percent, Average Grant Aid: $20,000
- Programs: 100
8. Point Loma Nazarene University—San Diego, Calif.
Students benefit from this balanced approach to education and leave PLNU prepared to think, act and contribute to the world.
- Student Population: 3,500
- Total annual cost: $31,800
- Programs: 60
9. Indiana Wesleyan University—Marion, Ind.
It’s an evangelical Christian comprehensive university that is committed to liberal arts and professional education.
- Student Population: 3,000
- Total annual cost: $32,716
- Percent on Financial Aid: 100 percent
- Programs: 80
10. Cedarville University—Cedarville, Ohio
This Christ-centered Baptist university is a top Midwest Christian university with an intentional focus on the Gospel. Their academic teams regularly win or rank in top tier of national and international competitions.
- Student Population: 3,620
- Total annual cost: $33,748
- Percent on Financial Aid: %, Average Grant Aid: $17,526
- Programs: 100
11. Biola University—La Mirada, Calif.
It’s a nationally-ranked private evangelical Christian liberal arts university all about biblically centered education.
- Student Population: 6,323
- Total annual cost: $34,498
- Programs: 40
12. Pacific Union College—Angwin, Calif.
It’s a private liberal arts college located in Napa Valley, California, offering affordable Christ-centered education.
- Student Population: 1700
- Total annual cost: $36,759 (most students pay $7,000 out-of-pocket)
- Percent on Financial Aid: 100 percent, Average Grant Aid: $30,000
- Programs: 34
13. Whitworth University—Spokane, Wash.
This private Christian liberal arts college is nationally ranked. Their founding mission is to provide education of mind and heart through rigorous intellectual inquiry.
- Student Population: 3,000
- Total annual cost: $38,168
- Percent on Financial Aid: 98 percent, Average Grant Aid: $31,897
- Programs: 60
14. Taylor University—Upland, Ind.
This interdenominational Christian liberal arts college ranks #1 as the ‘Best Regional College-Midwest’ and has a mission to develop servant leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth to a world in need.
- Student Population: 1,893
- Total annual cost: $38,767
- Percent on Financial Aid: 96 percent
- Programs: 115
15. George Fox University—Newberg, Ore.
It’s Oregon’s nationally recognized Christian university, providing students with personal attention, global opportunities to learn and serve, and a supportive community that encourages academic rigor and spiritual growth.
- Student Population: 3,700
- Total annual cost: $41,374
- Percent on Financial Aid: 100 percent, Average Grant Aid: $23,505
- Programs: 40
16. Olaf College—Northfield, Minn.
This private liberal arts college of the Lutheran church values intellectual curiosity, global perspective and meaning of faith.
- Student Population: 3,034
- Total annual cost: 41,700
- Percent on Financial Aid: 88 percent, Average Grant Aid: $35,740
- Programs: 39
17. Gordon College—Wenham, Mass.
This is one of the nation’s premier Christian colleges, which is located near Boston and combines an exceptional education with an informed Christian faith.
- Student Population: 1,736
- Total annual cost: $42,860
- Percent on Financial Aid: 97 percent
- Programs: 38
18. Bethel University—St. Paul, Minn.
This evangelical institution has been a leader in Christian higher education since 1871.
- Student Population: 6,000
- Total annual cost: $43,910
- Programs: 100
19. Pepperdine University—Malibu, Calif.
This Christian university is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service and leadership.
- Student Population: 3,086
- Total annual cost: $44,902
- Programs: 44
20. Luther College—Decorah, Iowa
It’s a liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church that values their welcoming culture and active student body.
- Student Population: 2,400
- Total annual cost: $45,260
- Percent on Financial Aid: 98 percent, Average Grant Aid: $33,000
- Programs: 60
21. Seattle Pacific University—Seattle, Wash.
SPU is a premier Christian university that equips people to engage the culture and change the world.
- Student Population: 3,264
- Total annual cost: $47,439
- Percent on Financial Aid: 95%
- Programs: 58
22. Texas Christian University—Forth Worth, Texas
Known for Christian teaching and research institution, TCU’s mission is to educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens the global community.
- Student Population: 8,145
- Total annual cost: $50,370
- Programs: 100
23. Trinity University—San Antonio, Texas
This is a #1 ranked liberal arts college based on best value and quality of undergraduate teaching.
- Student Population: 2,353
- Total annual cost: $52,618
- Programs: 43
24. Macalester College—St. Paul, Minn.
Since its founding in 1874, this private liberal arts college has provided students the inspiration, insight and experience to become successful and ethical leaders.
- Student Population: 2,073
- Total annual cost: $59,761
- Percent on Financial Aid: 67 percent, Average Grant Aid: $40,994 (first-year)
- Programs: 38
25. Southern Methodist University—Dallas, Texas
This nationally ranked private research university is a distinguished center for teaching and research, community service, internships, mentoring, and study abroad.
- Student Population: 11,000
- Total annual cost: $64,840
- Average Grant Aid: $27,887
- Programs: 104