If you’re searching for an affordable way to achieve a college education with faith based and Christian values, earning your degree through an accredited online Christian college or university may be a great option.
Online programs are much more affordable than on-campus options, so they’re a great way to earn a college education on a budget. In an online format, many programs also provide the option for full-time or part-time classes. They also offer asynchronous learning so students can pursue higher education at their own pace.
Comparing online programs can be overwhelming, so we’re here to simplify the process for you. Below, we have curated a list of the top 11 online Christian colleges and universities. This will help you when you are looking at featured programs and school searching.
Top 11 Online Christian Colleges
Liberty University
Liberty University has achieved a name for itself as the largest Christian university in the country. Liberty is known for its quality education rooted in Christian values. It is a great place to start your search if you’re looking for a college education integrated in Christianity. With 41 online degree programs ranging from aviation to education, Liberty University offers something for everyone.
If you’re looking to pursue a degree in religious or biblical studies, Liberty’s Divinity Program offers online bachelor’s degrees in Biblical education, leadership and religion. Liberty’s online tuition is $15,105 with a lot of options for financial aid, making it a good financial decision as well. Visit Liberty University’s website today to explore its online options and see if Liberty is the right fit for you.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Founded in 1888 by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University-Idaho is one of the largest private Christian universities, with 15,000 online students. The university has gained popularity due to the flexibility of its online programs.
Online students can choose from one of BYUI’s nine online bachelor’s degrees. BYUI provides the option to pursue certificates and associate degrees within four years as well. Brigham Young University-Idaho’s tuition of $3,920 makes it an appealing option for students seeking an affordable online Christian college education.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon Nazarene University combines higher education with Christian values. Founded in 1968 by the Church of the Nazarene, the Christian liberal arts college offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These degrees are offered to both traditional and non-traditional students. Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s 15 online programs are designed not only to provide students with quality education but also train them to be leaders, learners and free thinkers in their communities.
Students seeking to earn an online degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene should have previous degree credits before applying. Each of MVNU’s online bachelor’s degree programs requires a minimum of 56 transferable credits. These can be earned at another institution or a related associate degree program. If a student doesn’t meet the credit requirement, MVNU suggests they pursue an associate’s degree at Mount Vernon Nazarene in general studies.
MVNU also offers a bachelor’s in ministry leadership, which is an attractive option for students pursuing a degree in religion. This program equips students with the skills necessary to be Christian leaders in their communities. MVNU tuition is $18,629 with ample financial aid opportunities.
Columbia College
With 28 online programs, Columbia College offers students a wide selection of degrees at an affordable price of $7,887. It is also known as Columbia College of Missouri, the private, non-profit liberal arts and sciences college was founded in 1851 and has maintained ties with the Christian church ever since. Columbia College offers three-week online courses with six different sessions. The flexibility of this schedule allows undergraduate students to complete their programs in less than the traditional four years. Students will be working at their own pace and from the comfort of their own home. Columbia offers a flat tuition rate per credit, allowing online students to easily budget for their bachelor’s degree.
Clarks Summit University
As one of the best online Christian Colleges in the United States, this private Christian university boasts 40 online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students enrolled at Clarks Summit University can pursue high school dual enrollment as well as associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral options. Online undergraduate programs offer flexibility to students and are well-suited to adult learners seeking to jumpstart a new career. Undergraduate students have the option to choose from one of four associate’s concentrations and one of seven bachelor’s majors.
Online graduate students can complete their master’s degrees in as little as two years by enrolling in five eight-week sessions throughout the year. This flexible schedule allows adult professionals to continue to work while pursuing their degree from home. Clarks Summit University’s admissions are fairly competitive with a 51 percent acceptance rate. Be sure to check their website to make sure you meet the admissions requirements.
Grand Canyon University
Established in 1949 as a non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University offers an impressive selection of more than 100 online degree programs. In 2018, this private university was the largest Christian university in the world based on its student enrollment. It has 20,000 on-campus students and 70,000 online students.
Online GCU students complete one course at a time, as GCU believes this unique approach fosters greater mastery of the material. Online classes are small and taught by full-time faculty. So, online students can still earn a top-notch education with the flexibility and comfort of an online program. Courses are offered frequently throughout the year, so students can tailor their course schedule to their individual needs. What’s more, GCU prioritizes the role of faith in its education and offers online chapel services twice a week.
University of Mary
With 14 online degree offerings and generous financial aid packages, this Catholic, Benedictine university has been offering online programs for 25 years. Many of the university’s students are non-traditional, so its courses have been curated with the busy adult in mind. For this reason, students are encouraged to work at their own pace and courses can be completed in as little as 15 months.
Students can transfer credits into the program and can even earn college credits through prior work experience. This makes the University of Mary a great option for the adult seeking to advance their career. These flexible credit options add to the University of Mary’s affordability (tuition is $15,990).
Johnson University
Johnson University was originally founded in 1893 as a Bible college for Evangelists. But, it has since grown to offer non-religious degree options as well. Johnson University’s 10 online programs still reflect the university’s Christian values and its courses train students to be Christian leaders in their communities. Johnson University’s low tuition of $13,000 makes it a particularly appealing option that has attracted students from around the world.
The university’s seven online bachelor’s degree options are each four years in length. The curriculum for each of these programs is identical to the curriculums of their on-campus equivalents, guaranteeing online students the same quality of education. Another attractive feature of Johnson University is that online students are given access to an academic advisor and faculty for career and academic guidance.
Warner University
Founded in 1968 by the Church of God, Warner University has achieved a spot among the top online Christian institutions with its associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Students can choose from three different associate’s degree offerings. These include: An Associate of Arts degree in General Studies, an Associate of Science degree in Agricultural Studies and an Associate of Science degree in Christian Ministry.
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree can choose to study business administration, Christian ministry, criminal justice or educational studies. Graduate students have the option to enroll in online programs to earn their MBA, MEd, MS in Management and Master of Ministry. Graduate students also have the opportunity to pursue multiple concentrations in MBA and MEd programs.
All of Warner University’s online courses are asynchronous, allowing students to study at their own pace. Warner University also boasts a 13-to-one student-to-faculty ratio, so remote students can still get individual attention from professors. Additionally, US News and World Report listed the university as a top regional university. They also ranked its online graduate business program among the top 100 business programs in the country.
Alderson Broaddus University
If you are seeking an affordable, flexible online Christian college, Alderson Broaddus University is a great option. This is because 99 percent of its students receive some type of financial assistance. The university offers both full-time and part-time options with a blend of synchronous and asynchronous course offerings. With the different learning options available, this makes it good fit for a working adult pursuing a degree.
ABU offers two fully online degree programs: a Master of Education Teacher Leader program and an accelerated 18-month RN-to-BSN program. The US News and World Report has named ABU a top 10 best value school. They also ranked it as one of the top regional universities in the South.
Hobe Sound Bible College
Hobe Sound Bible College is a great option for an affordable, Christian online education. The Bible college offers associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs from its Division of Adult Distributed Education.
Undergraduate students pursuing an associate’s degree can choose from four options: Associate in Bible, Associate in Counseling, Associate in Ministerial Studies and Associate in Intercultural Studies. There is a wider variety of options for bachelor’s degrees, including programs in General Christian Studies, Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Counseling.
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Hobe Sound Bible College offers two master’s in education programs to graduate students: an MA in Classroom Instruction and an MA in Educational Leadership. For students pursuing religious studies, HSBC offers a certificate in pastoral studies as well. Each of HSBC’s online courses is seven weeks long, allowing students to achieve their education at a fast pace. HSBC also offers students credit for life experience, adding another element of affordability.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to work toward your bachelor’s or master’s degree, earn a certificate or even just take a few courses to boost your resume, achieving a college education doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many great, affordable options for online learning and gaining an education through a Christian college online.
Find the perfect online degree program and you will be well on your way to achieving your career goals. If you’re looking for more options, continue your search for the best online college with a list of 10 of the best online colleges in 2020.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
