Across the state of Pennsylvania, you will find several Christian colleges offering a variety of academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Pennsylvania is home to some of the best colleges in the United States including private and public institutions. With hundreds of accredited colleges and universities located in different cities, Pennsylvania boast several top academic institutions in the United States.
We will be looking at the best Christian colleges in Pennsylvania and what it cost to attend one. So, if you are a resident of Pennsylvania or you intend to study at any Christian college in the state, stay with us till the end of this guide.
What are Christian Colleges?
Christian colleges incorporate a range of institutions from regionally or nationally accredited colleges. These colleges offer both liberal arts and professional programs to non-accredited bible colleges that educate and prepare students to enter the vocational ministry.
Graduates from bible colleges go on to work full-time in a Christian organization setting.
Christian colleges are commonly found in countries where Christianity is the main religion. Take the United States for example, which is a country with a large number of Christians.
According to Studyinternational.com, some of the prestigious colleges and universities in the United States began as institutions of faith.
Examples include Yale, Harvard, and Dartmouth (Puritan), Rutgers University, (Dutch Reformed Church), Princeton University (Presbyterian), and College of William and Mary (Church of England).
These institutions are among the oldest in North America dating back centuries.
Also Read: 17 Free Online Bible Courses with Certificate of Completion
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Christian College?
Attending a Christian college comes with lots of benefits, especially if you want to grow your spiritual life. Secular colleges may be more popular, but they don’t match the standard when it comes to providing spiritual support.
So, what are the benefits to attend a Christian college?
Opportunity for a Great Education
Many people consider Christian colleges to be inferior compared to top-tier secular colleges. Attending a Christian university is rewarding but some people don’t see it that way.
Top secular universities employ the best professors to teach students in specific study fields. The same thing happens when you choose to study at a Christian college.
At Christian colleges, there are several intelligent professors ready to teach and guide students. While studying your chosen major, you will learn how every subject aligns with your value as a Christian.
Attending a Christian college gives you an opportunity to meet more people with diverse backgrounds.
Participating in Meaningful Activities
Attending a Christian college is not boring as most people may think of it. They host social events just like secular universities.
Christian colleges provide several opportunities for students to serve on campus or in nearby communities. You can get involved with community outreach or volunteer programs.
If you think you have the qualities of a leader, you can start a prayer group or you can join a bible study or another prayer group.
Enjoy a United and Strong Community
Christian colleges including those in Pennsylvania tend to have small-sized campuses. Class sizes are also small, which means you get to concentrate while in class.
This also gives you an opportunity to know each member of your class.
Growing in Faith
Studying at a Christian college allows you to build your faith. These college prioritizes including biblical teachings and principles in their courses. You will learn from both students and instructors on campus.
Affordable Tuition and Fees
Attending a Christian college may be less expensive compared to secular universities. Christian universities also provide more scholarship and grant opportunities than secular universities.
Christian colleges may be less expensive to attend not because of the quality of education they provide, rather it’s an effort to assist many students gain access to faith-based programs.
List of the Best Christian Colleges in Pennsylvania
- Lancaster Bible College
- Susquehanna University
- Messiah University
- Geneva College
- Lafayette College
- Grove City College
- Lebanon Valley College
- Eastern University
- Elizabethtown College
- Westminster College
- Waynesburg University
- Moravian University
- University of Valley Forge
- Lycoming College
- Saint Joseph University
#1. Lancaster Bible College- Capital Seminary and Graduate School
- Location: Lancaster
Established in 1933 as Lancaster School of the Bible, Lancaster Bible College is a private bible college, graduate school and seminary. This bible college has over 1,900 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students.
This Christian college offers non-credit courses as well as undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. This college provides three doctoral programs including several Master of Arts and Master of Education programs.
Lancaster Bible College also offers accelerated undergraduate degrees for adult students and graduate programs through its four more sites.
These LBC’s affiliated sites are located in Philadelphia, Greenbelt, Maryland, and Boca Raton, Florida.
Popular programs offered by LBC include biblical studies, elementary education, mental health counselling, and theology and religious vocations.
Additionally, LBC also provides financial aid to eligible students. To get more information about LBC, kindly visit its official website below.
#2. Susquehanna University
- Location: Selinsgrove
This is a private liberal arts college that was established in 1858 as a missionary institute and became a four-year liberal arts college in 1895.
Susquehanna is an institution with an enrolment of over 2,000 undergraduate students. Its undergraduate students hail from 33 states in the U.S., with international students from 23 countries.
Susquehanna University provides undergraduate education. It has a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, making it one of the best Christian colleges to study in.
This college offers over 100 majors, minors, and programs. Students studying at this university can design their own major or complete a double degree.
Susquehanna University provides pre-professional programs in pre-veterinary medicine and teaching and pre-law.
Susquehanna collaborates with other top American universities like Case Western Reserve University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Washington University in St. Louis to provide graduate education.
Also Read: 10 Best Universities and Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
#3. Messiah University
- Location: Mechanicsburg
Established in 1909 by Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah University is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian school.
Messiah University has a small student enrolment. About 2,788 undergraduate and 517 postgraduate students study at this university.
Messiah University is organized into four different schools through which it offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options.
As one of the best Christian colleges in Pennsylvania, this university awards a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in liberal arts and applied arts sciences.
Messiah University also provides majors that allow students to graduate one or two semesters early.
#4. Geneva College
- Location: Beaver Falls
This Christian college was originally established in Northwood, Ohio before it was moved to its present location in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania in 1880.
This Christian college temporarily closed during the American Civil War. It resumed operation in Northwood, Ohio, until 1880 when the college leadership began searching for a new location close to an urban area.
Today, Geneva College offers academic programs to undergraduates in the arts and sciences like engineering, business, student ministry, psychology, elementary education, and biology.
#5. Lafayette College
- Location: Easton
Lafayette College was founded in 1826 by James Madison Porter alongside other citizens living in Easton. It’s a private college popularly known for its liberal arts programs.
As of the spring of 2023, Lafayette College had about 2,729 undergraduate students.
Lafayette College offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in different fields of study. At the undergraduate level, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in thirty-seven fields and fourteen Bachelor of Science degrees (10 in areas of science and 4 in engineering).
#6. Grove City College
- Location: Grove City
Established by Isaac C. Ketler in 1876, Grove City College was originally chartered as Pine Grove Normal Academy.
GCC has an enrolment of over 2,300 undergraduate students. Grove City College’s main campus spans 180 acres, which is enough to accommodate the over 2,000 undergraduates studying at the college and new students.
The college offers 55 majors in the liberal arts, sciences and engineering.
Students at GCC must take general requirements courses alongside sciences, mathematics/reasoning, and other courses.
Just so you know, GCC has a strict policy on alcohol use on campus. First-time offenders will be suspended for one week, away from all activities on campus.
#7. Lebanon Valley College
- Location: Annville
LVC is a private Christian college that was established in February 1866. A week and a few days after this college was officially open, classes began with a few students in attendance.
Today, Lebanon Valley College is home to over 1,900 undergraduate and postgraduate students. This Christian college offers over 40 majors, including graduate and doctoral programs.
LVC also provides an opportunity for its students to study abroad in countries like Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, China, Argentina, England, the Dominican Republic, and Spain.
Also Read: The Pennsylvania State University Acceptance Rate, Admission, SAT, ACT, Tuition, Rankings
#8. Eastern University
- Location: St. Davis
Located in St. Davis, Pennsylvania, Eastern University is a private Christian university that was established in 1925.
The university’s main campus spans 114 acres in St. Davis. EU offers a variety of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. As one of the best Christian colleges in Pennsylvania, EU also offers undergraduate, graduate, and non-credit certificates.
#9. Elizabethtown College
- Location: Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown College is a private college founded in 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren. This college has an overall enrolment of 1,671 undergraduates and 64 postgraduate students.
This college offers 53 majors and over 90 minors and concentrations through its 19 academic departments. Elizabethtown College also offers accelerated, undergraduate degree programs through its School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
#10. Westminster College
- Location: New Wilmington
This is a private, liberal arts college that was established in 1852.
The number of students on campus at this college is 1,307 undergraduate and graduate students.
Westminster College is a community where every student is welcome regardless of their nationality. The college offers over 50 undergraduate majors and pre-professional programs.
#11. Waynesburg University
- Location: Waynesburg
Waynesburg University is a private institution established in 1850. The college offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in over 70 academic concentrations.
This Christian college offers its students an opportunity to study abroad through the Fulbright programs. Waynesburg University emphasizes Christian and community values as students are required to participate in bible studies, weekly chapel services, etc.
#12. Moravian University
- Location: Bethlehem
This university was originally founded as a Girls’ School in 1742 and as the Moravian College and Theology Seminary in 1807.
The college was accredited in 1863 and just a few years ago in 2021 was elevated to a university. The population at Moravian University comprises 2,075 undergraduate and 302 postgraduate students.
This university currently enrols over 1,600 full-time undergraduates in different majors. More than 100 part-time students are enrolled in the seminary graduate divinity programs.
#13. University of Valley Forge
- Location: Phoenixville
This is a private university established in the early 1930s as a summer bible school. This bible school trained several pastors, missionaries, and evangelists during the early 1930s.
UVF underwent several named changes and also merged with other bible institutes. Today, it is one of the top Christian colleges in Pennsylvania offering over 40 undergraduate programs as well as 10 graduate programs.
Also Read: University of Pennsylvania Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition
#14. Lycoming College
- Location: Williamsport
Located in Williamsport, PA, Lycoming College is a private liberal arts college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
This college awards both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in over 43 major fields of study as well as 66 minors.
#15. Wilson College
- Location: Chambersburg
Wilson College was established in 1869 by Presbyterian ministers and was named after Sarah Wilson.
Wilson College’s main campus spans nearly 300 acres in Chambersburg.
This Christian college offers about 34 majors and 40 minors to undergraduate students including several master’s degree programs.
What Is the Cost to Attend a Christian College in Pennsylvania?
The cost at each Christian college mostly depends on the school’s size. If you are choosing a bigger school, expect to pay higher tuition and fees.
Smaller Christian colleges charge $2,000 or less for each semester and students are allowed to take a full course load at that price.
Tuition and fees at larger Christian colleges can be over $30,000 per year.
What are the best Christian Schools in Reading, Pennsylvania?
Best Christian colleges in Reading, PA include;
- Sacred Heart School
- Fairview Christian School
- Saint Catherine of Sienna School
- Holy Guardian Angels Regional School
- Faithfull Friends Christian Academy
What are the Best Christian Schools in Pittsburgh, PA?
Below are the best Christian colleges in Pittsburgh;
- Jubilee Christian School
- Imani Christian Academy
- Pittsburgh Urban Christian School
- The Neighbourhood Academy
- Harty Bible School
Conclusion
Attending a Christian college provides the opportunity for students to learn more about how every subject aligns with their Christian values. It’s more than just attending a college when you look at the aspect of strengthening your faith, learning from other students, and getting involved with community outreach or volunteer programs.
