Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community
Christian colleges ranked by the Christian community pillar: spiritual life staff, retreats, Bible studies and small groups, and faculty who share the college’s faith.
Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community106 schools
106 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Has a graded Christian community pillar and a complete Compass Score.
- Ordered by the Christian community pillar score alone, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1Tie
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Oklahoma Christian University
Edmond, OK · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 1Tie
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 8
Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 9
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 10
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 11
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 12
Lee University
Cleveland, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 13Tie
Belmont University
Nashville, TN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 13Tie
Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 15Tie
Asbury University
Wilmore, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 15Tie
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 17
Criswell College
Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 18Tie
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 18Tie
Bethel University
McKenzie, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 20
Anderson University
Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 21Tie
Freed-Hardeman University
Henderson, TN · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 21Tie
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 21Tie
Union Adventist University
Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 24
Kentucky Christian University
Grayson, KY · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 25
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| Oklahoma Christian University | $21,872 | $26,000 | $49,203 | 56% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| Liberty University | $29,357 | $24,500 | $44,813 | 42% |
| Nelson University | $21,662 | $24,725 | $46,238 | 42% |
| Southern Adventist University | $24,345 | $24,500 | $53,723 | 49% |
| Mississippi College | $27,712 | $22,500 | $47,485 | 59% |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | $20,958 | $24,801 | $48,434 | 52% |
| Wheaton College | $26,975 | $23,250 | $63,756 | 85% |
| John Brown University | $20,397 | $21,250 | $53,907 | 72% |
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Lee University | $18,878 | $25,750 | $43,222 | 63% |
| Belmont University | $33,147 | $20,500 | $55,930 | 71% |
| Messiah University | $26,502 | $25,621 | $54,064 | 75% |
| Asbury University | $21,401 | $24,028 | $42,368 | 65% |
| College of the Ozarks | $6,100 | — | $41,592 | 64% |
| Criswell College | $21,630 | $25,346 | $43,185 | 50% |
| Gardner-Webb University | $17,674 | $24,222 | $48,039 | 55% |
| Bethel University | $12,595 | $27,249 | $47,482 | 35% |
| Anderson University | $23,544 | $26,700 | $42,101 | 66% |
| Freed-Hardeman University | $21,574 | $21,500 | $47,485 | 71% |
| LeTourneau University | $28,185 | $26,000 | $57,103 | 59% |
| Union Adventist University | $23,716 | $27,000 | $55,045 | 52% |
| Kentucky Christian University | $24,038 | $22,250 | $42,375 | 37% |
| Cedarville University | $24,468 | $20,937 | $55,443 | 73% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.