Best CCCU Colleges and Universities
Find Christian colleges and universities with strong Christian identities, where Christian values and spiritual growth are part of the campus life and curricula.
What are CCCU Colleges and Universities?
The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) is an organization composed of about 180 member institutions worldwide, with approximately 140 in the U.S. The schools represent 37 different Protestant denominations.
CCCU schools are accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities whose missions are Christ-centered and rooted in the historic Christian faith. Although many self-identify as evangelical, the defining doctrines for all member institutions are that they:
- Integrate what they regard as biblical truth not just into “spiritual” aspects of the institution but throughout the academic enterprise. Their faculty are committed to God as the author of truth, a belief that has implications for every academic discipline.
- Commit to the moral and spiritual formation of students. They seek to form students whose moral commitment will be to live out Christian virtues such as love, courage, and humility.
- Seek to graduate students “who make a difference for the common good as redemptive voices in the world.” They regard their graduates as “hopeful realists” who can “play a redemptive and restorative role in the world as doctors, teachers, marketers, engineers, parents, soccer coaches, and in a host of other ways.”
Many of the nation’s leading private colleges and universities had their origins as religious institutions affiliated with a specific denomination within the broad Christian tradition. Duke is an example, as are Emory, Yale, and Wesleyan University. And while some private schools still accept funding from the church of their founding, many no longer hold any religious expectations for their students, nor do they align their curricular or extracurricular offerings with particular religious beliefs or practices.
In contrast, CCCU colleges are devoted to fostering Christian virtues in their graduates. They develop their curricula, their expectations for student behavior, their hiring of faculty and staff, and their co-curricular programs with that goal in mind. Most do so within the context of a liberal arts framework.
The list of colleges which follows ranks the Best CCCU colleges for undergraduates, those schools which have retained their Christian orientation while achieving academic excellence and conveying profound influence through the achievements of their professors and graduates.
How do we determine the best CCCU schools?
The best colleges pound for pound!
The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why, at the undergraduate level, we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call Concentrated Influence.
Concentrated Influence takes the combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers (including faculty and alums) and divides it by the school’s total number of undergraduates.
Using concentrated influence gives small and mid-sized schools an opportunity to shine by taking away the size advantage of larger universities. A small school with proportionately more influential faculty than a large school, whose influence in absolute terms may be bigger, will nonetheless score higher in a concentrated influence ranking. Our approach highlights undergraduate schools that truly rank for excellence, regardless of size.
50 Best CCCU Colleges & Universities for Undergraduates
- #1Pepperdine University#479 institution's overall influence#903 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
42%
Graduation
85%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1340/29
Malibu, CAView profile
What is Pepperdine University known for?
Pepperdine University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Law
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Education
- Literature
- History
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
- #2Baylor University#255 institution's overall influence#96 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
77%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1290/29
Waco, TXView profile
What is Baylor University known for?
Baylor University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Business
- Law
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Biology
- History
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #3Wheaton College#356 institution's overall influence#1019 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
89%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/29
Wheaton, ILView profile
What is Wheaton College known for?
Wheaton College 's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Business
- Education
- Communications
- History
- Biology
- Political Science
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #4Regent University#1486 institution's overall influence#554 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
60%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1105/22
Virginia Beach, VAView profile
- #5Houston Baptist University#1756 institution's overall influence#270 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
48%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/21
Houston, TXView profile
- #6Biola University#792 institution's overall influence#1377 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
73%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/24
La Mirada, CAView profile
- #7Samford University#731 institution's overall influence#912 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
76%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/26
Birmingham, ALView profile
- #8Calvin University#570 institution's overall influence#1196 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
72%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1250/27
Grand Rapids, MIView profile
- #9Moody Bible Institute#1130 institution's overall influence#152 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
58%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/20
Chicago, ILView profile
What is Moody Bible Institute known for?
Moody Bible Institute's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Communications
- Medical
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #10Oral Roberts University#991 institution's overall influence#798 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
57%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1114/21
Tulsa, OKView profile
What is Oral Roberts University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #11Friends University#2005 institution's overall influence#231 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
36%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/22
Wichita, KSView profile
What is Friends University known for?
Friends University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Psychology
- Education
- Business
- Literature
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Communications
- History
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
- #12Seattle Pacific University#1338 institution's overall influence#432 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
69%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/22
Seattle, WAView profile
What is Seattle Pacific University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #13Belhaven University#3393 institution's overall influence#810 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
51%
Student body
3K
Jackson, MSView profile
What is Belhaven University known for?
Belhaven University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Political Science
- Medical
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- History
- Nursing
- Chemistry
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #14Abilene Christian University#1188 institution's overall influence#771 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
63%
Graduation
61%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1122/24
Abilene, TXView profile
What is Abilene Christian University known for?
Abilene Christian University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- History
- Literature
- Communications
- Chemistry
- Medical
- Psychology
- Biology
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #15Olivet Nazarene University#2892 institution's overall influence#759 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/22
Bourbonnais, ILView profile
What is Olivet Nazarene University known for?
Olivet Nazarene University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Biology
- Business
- Medical
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
- #16Azusa Pacific University#1351 institution's overall influence#733 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
67%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/23
Azusa, CAView profile
What is Azusa Pacific University known for?
Azusa Pacific University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Business
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Literature
- Psychology
- History
- Communications
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #17Trinity International University#1470 institution's overall influence#1355 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
52%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/22
Deerfield, ILView profile
What is Trinity International University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #18Houghton College#1479 institution's overall influence#1121 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
73%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/24
Houghton, NYView profile
- #19Indiana Wesleyan University#1871 institution's overall influence#1088 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
63%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/23
Marion, INView profile
- #20Campbell University#1454 institution's overall influence#486 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
50%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/22
Buies Creek, NCView profile
What is Campbell University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #21Gordon College#1635 institution's overall influence
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
70%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/25
Wenham, MAView profile
What is Gordon College known for?
Gordon College 's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Communications
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Education
- History
- Business
- Political Science
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
- #22Erskine College#1889 institution's overall influence#1295 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
60%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1025/19
Due West, SCView profile
What is Erskine College known for?
Erskine College's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- Education
- History
- Medical
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #23Oklahoma Christian University#2124 institution's overall influence#1456 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
61%
Graduation
54%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/24
Edmond, OKView profile
What is Oklahoma Christian University known for?
Oklahoma Christian University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Business
- Psychology
- Communications
- Literature
- Computer Science
- History
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
- #24Westmont College#1371 institution's overall influence#565 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
70%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1215/25
Santa Barbara, CAView profile
What is Westmont College known for?
Westmont College's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Education
- Literature
- History
- Sociology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #25Point Loma Nazarene University#2009 institution's overall influence#1175 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
74%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/26
San Diego, CAView profile
- #26Eastern University#2094 institution's overall influence#1415 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
66%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1130/23
Saint Davids, PAView profile
What is Eastern University known for?
Eastern University 's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
- Business
- Anthropology
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #27Bethel University#2209 institution's overall influence#1442 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
71%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/24
Saint Paul, MNView profile
What is Bethel University known for?
Bethel University 's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Medical
- Philosophy
- Literature
- History
- Psychology
- Business
- Communications
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #28Hardin–Simmons University#2069 institution's overall influence#1182 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1056/20
Abilene, TXView profile
What is Hardin–Simmons University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #29Malone University#3442 institution's overall influence#863 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
74%
Graduation
49%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1054/22
Canton, OHView profile
What is Malone University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #30LeTourneau University#3506 institution's overall influence#202 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
56%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1200/25
Longview, TXView profile
- #31Mississippi College#1436 institution's overall influence#150 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
59%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1145/25
Clinton, MSView profile
- #32MidAmerica Nazarene University#7964 institution's overall influence#1454 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Olathe, KSView profile
What is MidAmerica Nazarene University known for?
MidAmerica Nazarene University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Religious Studies
- History
- Business
- Medical
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Literature
- Biology
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #33North Central University#3661 institution's overall influence#1054 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
38%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1077/21
Minneapolis, MNView profile
What is North Central University known for?
North Central University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Psychology
- Literature
- Medical
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Communications
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #34Taylor University#2022 institution's overall influence#1228 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
79%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
Upland, INView profile
- #35California Baptist University#2001 institution's overall influence#1289 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
59%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/21
Riverside, CAView profile
- #36Colorado Christian University#4076 institution's overall influence
Tuition + fees
$24K
Graduation
49%
Student body
6K
Lakewood, COView profile
What is Colorado Christian University known for?
Colorado Christian University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Business
- Political Science
- Education
- History
- Mathematics
- Medical
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #37Whitworth University#3256 institution's overall influence#437 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
75%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1170/25
Spokane, WAView profile
- #38San Diego Christian College#4255 institution's overall influence#1426 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$24K
Acceptance
50%
Graduation
57%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/20
Santee, CAView profile
What is San Diego Christian College known for?
San Diego Christian College's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Biology
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #39Harding University#2090 institution's overall influence#177 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
55%
Graduation
67%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/25
Searcy, ARView profile
- #40Asbury University#2086 institution's overall influence#1272 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
69%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/24
Wilmore, KYView profile
What is Asbury University known for?
Asbury University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Education
- History
- Business
- Social Work
- Medical
- Communications
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #41Faulkner University#2602 institution's overall influence#1032 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$22K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
27%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1080/20
Montgomery, ALView profile
What is Faulkner University known for?
Faulkner University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Law
- Education
- Literature
- History
- Medical
- Business
- Philosophy
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #42Howard Payne University#1452 institution's overall influence#939 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
41%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1025/21
Brownwood, TXView profile
What is Howard Payne University known for?
Howard Payne University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Education
- Medical
- History
- Business
- Religious Studies
- Law
- Biology
- Political Science
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #43Walla Walla University#2130 institution's overall influence#848 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$29K
Graduation
62%
Student body
2K
College Place, WAView profile
What is Walla Walla University known for?
Walla Walla University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Biology
- Religious Studies
- Engineering
- Medical
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Business
- Sociology
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #44Southwest Baptist University#3468 institution's overall influence#673 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
46%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1027/22
Bolivar, MOView profile
What is Southwest Baptist University known for?
Southwest Baptist University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Medical
- Education
- Business
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- History
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Biology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #45Lee University#2416 institution's overall influence#1378 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
52%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/24
Cleveland, TNView profile
- #46Eastern Nazarene College#2242 institution's overall influence#572 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
49%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
995/20
Quincy, MAView profile
What is Eastern Nazarene College known for?
Eastern Nazarene College's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Computer Science
- History
- Religious Studies
- Engineering
- Business
- Physics
- Psychology
- Literature
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #47Northwest Nazarene University#3348 institution's overall influence#1168 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
56%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/23
Nampa, IDView profile
- #48Oklahoma Baptist University#2752 institution's overall influence#585 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1105/23
Shawnee, OKView profile
What is Oklahoma Baptist University known for?
Most Influential Alumni
- #49Concordia University Chicago#5018 institution's overall influence#833 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
48%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/23
River Forest, ILView profile
What is Concordia University Chicago known for?
Concordia University Chicago's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Education
- Business
- History
- Religious Studies
- Medical
- Literature
- Earth Sciences
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #50Palm Beach Atlantic University#3787 institution's overall influence#941 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
54%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/23
West Palm Beach, FLView profile
