For some students, integrating faith into their college education and life is of the utmost importance—and many colleges share that same priority! Attending a Christian college or university allows students to stay fundamentally involved in the community of their faith while also receiving a great education. Christian colleges and universities also tend to offer more options in the way of religion courses and programs if studying your faith is important to your higher education goals. With so many great Christian schools to choose from, this list is a great place to start your search.
All the colleges and universities on this list are Christian institutions located in the Southern United States. And you can connect with all of them quickly and easily! Just click the “Connect me” button underneath each featured school if you’re interested in learning more—then they'll reach out to you with more information. Start exploring the future of your faith with these great schools!
Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University is a private coeducational university associated with the Churches of Christ in Abilene, Texas. With 5,200 students and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, ACU offers 79 majors across 164 areas of study and over 100 student organizations, from religious groups to music clubs. Experiential learning is built into the curriculum with opportunities for students to participate in study abroad programs, mission trips, internships, and undergraduate research projects.
Asbury University
Asbury University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Wilmore, Kentucky—just 15 miles south of Lexington—that’s based in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. With 1,225 undergraduate students, the University offers a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and more than 150 areas of study. Named one of the most affordable Christian colleges in the nation, Asbury also sees a 100% participation rate in cross-cultural and mission trips programs from its students, combining faith with experiential learning.
Belhaven University
Belhaven University is a Presbyterian liberal arts university in Jackson, Mississippi, that was originally founded as a women’s college. With nearly 5,000 students on campus, Belhaven offers 70 areas of study across a variety of disciplines as well as graduate programs. Integrating faith in the classroom, the University is one of only 36 colleges in the US accredited in all four areas of the arts and is the only Christian college in the country to offer a BFA in Creative Writing.
Covenant College
Covenant College is a Presbyterian liberal arts college on Lookout Mountain in Georgia—just across the state line from Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a small enrollment of just under 1,000 students, the College provides a rigorous and religiously integrated education both inside and outside the classroom. Covenant also offers the Center for Calling and Career to help students incorporate faith into their career preparation.
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University is a Christ-centered comprehensive liberal arts university in Dallas, Texas. With 4,487 students and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, undergraduates can choose from nearly 50 majors. DBU offers resources like the Spiritual Life Office, which hosts a variety of discipleship and worship experiences including chapel services, ministry projects, mentoring programs, Bible studies, service and mission trips, and one-on-one spiritual guidance.
Erskine College
Erskine College is a Presbyterian liberal arts college in Due West, South Carolina—only 45 miles from Greenville. With an enrollment of just over 800 students, the College offers 19 majors and 27 minors with a customizable course of study. Students at Erskine can join campus ministry groups such as Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Reformed University Fellowship, and more.
Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University is a Baptist-affiliated liberal arts and professional studies university in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the University’s 3,521 students work closely with professors in 60 areas of study. Designated as a Christian College of Distinction, GWU is home to the Hunt School of Nursing, which teaches future RNs how to provide faith-based care to patients in its RN-to-BSN and MSN programs.
Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is a church-affiliated university in southwest Houston, Texas. With approximately 2,400 undergraduates and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers over 60 majors, including Biblical Studies and Christianity/Divinity, and nine pre-professional programs. Named one of the most ethnically diverse Christian universities in the West, HCU also provides opportunities like the Honors College and collaboration with scholars and ministry leaders.
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a private coeducational institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Brownwood, Texas. With approximately 1,000 undergraduates and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and School, HPU also offers a Baptist Student Ministry, chapel services, and numerous faith-based clubs and organizations.
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private liberal arts university located in a residential area of Nashville, Tennessee. With 4,600 students coming from almost every state and 45 countries, the University offers over 200 areas of study and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Lipscomb weaves faith into its programs, athletics, and student life by offering weekly opportunities for the community to come together to pray, worship, study scripture, and hear from guest speakers.
Nelson University
Nelson University is a multipurpose church-affiliated university in Waxahachie, Texas—approximately 30 miles south of downtown Dallas. With more than 2,000 students and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, Nelson features 17 associate degree majors, 32 bachelor’s programs, 12 master’s programs, and a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership & Creative Communication. The University also offers Christian students worship services through the Nelson Chapel four days a week.
Oklahoma Baptist University
Oklahoma Baptist University
is a Christian liberal arts university in Shawnee, Oklahoma—35 miles east of Oklahoma City. OBU is committed to providing students with an interdisciplinary approach to education, with all degree programs featuring a common core of classes designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge. Students are prepared to think critically about worldviews, values, and truth with strong academic programs and a liberal arts curriculum connecting different fields of study.
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Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma Christian University
is a private, religiously affiliated university occupying a large park-like setting in Edmond, Oklahoma—part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. With an enrollment of 2,250 students, the University features a 14:1 student-faculty ratio and 68 student organizations, including Spiritual Life events. OC also provides students exposure to their chosen fields, internships at leading companies, and opportunities to develop professional connections.
Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University
is a private, nonprofit, non-denominational, church-affiliated liberal arts university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Students are taken beyond the textbook with mentorship for both personal and professional development and future success. With dozens of clubs, frequent activities, intramurals, sporting events, worship nights, and weekly Chapels, ORU offers students a dynamic, engaging, spirit-empowered community.
Ouachita Baptist University
Ouachita Baptist University is a church-affiliated liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas—65 miles southwest of Little Rock. Through a semi-annual community service project called Tiger Serve Day, OBU students, faculty, and staff have logged over 90,000 volunteer hours since 1997. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the European Study Tour, Biblical Studies Tour, and other international education options.
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Samford University
Samford University is a private non-denominational university located in Birmingham, Alabama. The University offers more than 180 majors, minors, and concentrations through the Schools of Arts, Arts & Sciences, Business, Divinity, Education, Health Professionals, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. With over 5,600 students from 47 states and 28 countries—plus a global network of more than 52,000 alumni—Samford provides a well-rounded liberal arts educational experience rooted in its Christian mission.
Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls College is a Christian Bible and liberal arts college in Toccoa Falls, Georgia—in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The College offers 32 majors, 15 student-led organizations, and a scenic campus with numerous opportunities for outdoor activities to a student body of more than 2,000. Toccoa Falls’ mission is to cultivate a uniquely Christian learning community that integrates the pursuit of truth with godly character to produce graduates prepared both personally and professionally for service.
Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca Nazarene University is a private liberal arts university located in Nashville and affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Offering more than 90 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, Trevecca provides a rigorous liberal arts education while providing a safe haven for students to grow spiritually and personally while discovering God’s calling on their lives. The University also offers extensive community service options as a part of its experiential learning model.
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Union University
Union University is a private Baptist university in Jackson, Tennessee—just 80 miles east of Memphis—with branch campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. With a total enrollment of 3,172 students and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, student receive a faithful and disciplined education in more than 100 fields of study. Union also offers numerous campus worship experiences, small group ministries, and Bible studies.
Want to explore even more Christian schools? Check out all our featured Christian Life School Profiles!
