Four-Year Christian Colleges, Universities

Each of these institutions from Virginia to California offer higher education from a Christian perspective.
The term “higher education” takes on a whole new meaning for believers, as for many the choice to attend a school supportive of the Christian worldview is a given. The following listing, though not comprehensive, provides descriptions of several widely respected Christian institutions. They are grouped by U.S. region, and each school’s Web site is included for your further evaluation.

Mid-Atlantic. Founded by M.G. “Pat” Robertson, Regent University has a student body of more than 5,000, representing all 50 states and several dozen foreign countries. It has nine schools of study offering nearly 30 degrees on the main campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and its satellite campus near Washington, D.C. In 2004, Regent unveiled a major academic expansion by introducing the School of Undergraduate Studies, and enrollment has grown more than 500 percent annually. Visit online at www.regent.edu.

Midwest. Located in Springfield, Missouri, Evangel University is a private, coeducational Christian university. The Assemblies of God-affiliated school draws more than 2,000 students from the 50 states and abroad. It is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and has earned the highest level of accreditation available, offering more than 80 programs in 10 academic departments. Visit online at www.evangel.edu.

Taylor University is an evangelical, independent, interdenominational Christian liberal arts college in Upland, Indiana, with an extension campus in Fort Wayne. It offers 102 majors, and the student body of nearly 2,000 represents 46 states and more than 30 countries. U.S. News & World Report ranked Taylor’s Upland campus third among Midwestern comprehensive colleges offering bachelor’s degrees. The school is recognized for its high number of students studying abroad for a semester. Visit online at www.taylor.edu.

Wheaton College, in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Illinois, is a private, interdenominational, four-year Christian liberal arts college. It has been named to the Honor Roll of Character-Building Colleges every year since The John Templeton Foundation established the list in 1989. It is ranked 11th nationwide in the number of graduates across all fields who go on to earn doctorates and ninth among Christian liberal arts colleges for number of graduates. Visit online at www.wheaton.edu.

South. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 comprehensive colleges in the South for the last 13 years, Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, is a four-year, multidenominational institution. It offers 50 majors within its 17 academic departments, as well as several master’s degrees in education. Asbury enrolls about 1,200 students annually from 48 states and about a dozen foreign nations. Internships, exchange programs, missions and community-service opportunities are included. The school is accredited with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Visit online at www.asbury.edu.

Emmanuel College is a fully accredited, four-year Christian college affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Located in the foothills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the campus is 80 minutes from Atlanta. Its small enrollment (700 students) allows a unique 14 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio. Besides offering majors in business, education and other fields, Emmanuel has a vibrant school of Christian ministry. It also offers a variety of spiritual enrichment activities and athletic programs.

John Brown University is a private, interdenominational Christian university in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, that serves more than 2,000 students from 43 states and 40 nations. It offers 50 undergraduate-degree programs, three degree-completion programs and six graduate-degree programs. All the school’s academic programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. JBU is ranked sixth by U.S. News & World Report in the Southern region. Visit online at www.jbu.edu.

Lee University is a private, comprehensive university affiliated with the Church of God and located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Enrollment has more than tripled from 1,214 students in 1986 to 4,012 students in fall 2006. Lee’s undergraduate enrollment is the fifth largest among the 103 member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. This year marks the 20th straight year of increased enrollment under the leadership of president Paul Conn. Visit online at www.leeuniversity.edu.

Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, is a comprehensive Christian university with an enrollment of more than 3,000 students from nearly 40 countries. It provides a distinctive Christian liberal-arts emphasis for students of all faiths. More than 80 programs of study are arranged into nine academic schools offering associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Master’s and professional degree programs are offered in business administration, organizational leadership, counseling psychology and pharmacy. There is a strong emphasis on community service, with each student contributing 45 hours per year. Visit online at www.pba.edu.

Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, offers 44 academic programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Assemblies of God-affiliated university welcomes students from a variety of denominations, with more than 60 percent coming from an Assemblies of God background. Its annual enrollment of more than 2,300 students represents 46 states and 20 foreign countries. Southeastern is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Visit online at www.seuniversity.edu.

Southern Plains. Named for the well-known healing evangelist who started the school, Oral Roberts University is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and offers 63 undergraduate majors, 10 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The 263-acre campus serves more than 5,000 students representing all 50 states, 66 countries and more than 45 denominations. Since the university’s founding in 1965, students from more than 118 countries have attended. ORU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Visit online at www.oru.edu.

West. Biola University is a nationally ranked, regionally and professionally accredited, private Christian university located in La Mirada, California. The school offers 145 academic programs in six schools that integrate the Bible in more than 30 majors, including 10 Bible courses. Biola is the only school among the more than 100 members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be recognized as a National University by U.S. News & World Report. Visit online at www.biola.edu.