Best Christian colleges for NCAA Division I athletes
Christian colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best Christian colleges for NCAA Division I athletes10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 2
- 3
- 4
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel once a week
- 5
- 6Tie
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 6Tie
- 8
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel once a week
- 9
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ · Private for-profit- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 10
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit- NCAA Division I athletics
- Chapel once a week
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
| Liberty University | $29,357 | $24,500 | $44,813 | 65% |
| Baylor University | $41,104 | $23,000 | $65,793 | 80% |
| Gardner-Webb University | $17,674 | $24,222 | $48,039 | 55% |
| Lipscomb University | $24,739 | $19,500 | $55,541 | 72% |
| Dallas Baptist University | $28,516 | $21,591 | $56,807 | 57% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| Grand Canyon University | $22,472 | $22,114 | $42,186 | 43% |
| Charleston Southern University | $21,666 | $26,471 | $45,898 | 47% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.