FAQs

  1. What do you mean by a faith-based school?

    At its simplest, a faith-based school is a college, university, seminary, bible school or training center that is supported by a religious body.

    When people hear of Christian higher education, they often think of a "Bible school"—one which offers theological majors and training for ministerial careers, sprinkled with liberal arts or business courses, resulting in a certificate or an unaccredited degree.

    Actually, most faith-based schools can better be described as "private liberal arts colleges with a soul." These offer an assortment of majors and vary in how they integrate issues of faith into their curricula. Most of these faith-centered liberal arts colleges are also regionally accredited and often meet or exceed the academic standards of private secular or public institutions.

    Even applying "faith-based" as a definition is challenging by extremes. Some faith-based institutions were founded on strict religious principles that are no longer a functioning part of current campus life; for others, a living faith is essential to every existential aspect of the institution.

    In fact, the only word that adequately describes the more than 1,200 faith-based schools in the United States is diversity.

    Not only do they vary in size from small (under 500 students) to large (over 10,000 students), they are located in areas ranging from rural to urban, from mountaintop to seacoast. And by founding church or affiliation, faith-based schools represent a wide variety of religious groups. In the United States, that includes Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist, Mormon, Orthodox Judaism and mainstream, fundamental and/or evangelical Protestant (often referred to as "Christ-centered") churches.

    Some faith-based schools are also best described as interdenominational, meaning that they draw students from more than one church affiliation, or undenominational, meaning they are non-specifically Christian in stance.

    There are currently no Muslim colleges or universities operating in America, but there are a few Buddhist oriented institutions of learning (see types of faith-based schools).

    In general, a faith-based school teaches, practices, promotes, supports and/or allows discussion of religious values as aligned with or opposed to secular instruction. Despite dynamic differences in how this functions on any given campus, some of the distinctions of faith-based schools are:

    • Curricula based on religious principles or infused with a code of religious values or doctrine—ranging from suggestions of guidance to published expectations of behaviors and beliefs that form standards of adherence for both faculty and students.
    • A university or school that receives funding, wholly or in part, from a parent religious organization.
    • A university or school historically founded on religious roots or a church affiliation that is now operating in a largely secular fashion.
    • An educational institution whose mission is to train or certify clergy, missionaries and outreach workers for the church, e.g., a seminary
  2. What are types of faith-based schools that I can consider?

    A broad overview, by religious affiliation:

    • Christian
      • Catholic
        • Jesuits – 28 colleges and universities. All part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (www.ajcu.net).
        • There are many colleges and universities that are Catholic without being Jesuit (e.g., Notre Dame, University of San Diego).
        • Over 250 U.S. Colleges and Universities consider themselves Catholic in tradition and/or practice.
      • Adventist
        • There are 15 Adventist colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, each operating semi-independently.
      • Baptist
        • According to the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, there are 48 Baptist colleges and universities in the U.S.
        • As with other denominations, some of these schools adhere to Baptist beliefs and emphasize them more than others.
      • Lutheran
        • There are 42 Lutheran colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada.
      • Methodist
        • According to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, there are 109 United Methodist-related colleges and universities.
      • Other
        • There are many other faith-based schools for students to consider, including those that are not as numerous, nor as mainstream as the more popular denominational schools listed above. A couple of examples:
        • Mennonite schools
        • Mormon schools – Brigham Young University is a primary example.
    • Jewish

      These aren't common and they focus on preparing students to become rabbis or spiritual teachers. They include:

      • American Jewish University
      • Hebrew Union College
    • Buddhist

      There are Buddhist colleges and universities operating in America. As a group, they seem to be fairly narrow in terms of courses and programs offered and may or may not be accredited. Some are:

      • Dharma Realm Buddhist University
      • Institute of Buddhist Studies
      • Maitripa College
      • Naropa University
      • Soka University of America University
  3. How much does a faith-based school cost?

    At first glance, most faith-based schools stand out as more costly than their secular counterparts. Tuition costs per program hour can be double or quadruple the average state college or university. But several factors weigh into the actual value a student receives. Here are some thoughts to consider:

    • On average, faith-based schools cost less than comparable private secular institutions. In 2005-2006, the average tuition and fee amount for members of The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities was $16,632, about $4,600 less than the national average of $21,235, as reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education.
    • Most faith-based schools take pains to be financially accessible and attractive to students. Although endowment funds are relatively limited, they strive to provide grants, scholarships and work-study programs to much of their student body. Some schools report that up to 90 percent of students receive substantial financial aid—which then places out-of-pocket student costs back into the average range.
    • Faith-based schools feature low student-to-faculty ratios—some claiming 10-to-1 or less. These schools point to increased faculty support and involvement as a factor in higher rates of graduation in less time—four years compared to the five or six years for degree completion often cited by state university systems. Some "guarantee" graduation in four years if specific programs are followed. Again, this means comparatively fewer out-of-pocket costs for the graduating student.
    • To search for scholarships and grants, try this site.
  4. What are other resources for faith-based schools?

    According to many websites, attendance at faith-based (mostly Christian) colleges and universities is growing as compared to secular colleges. To assist with your research, some of the organizations that can help you explore your options are:

    Articles and websites about faith-based schools: