Top 50 Bible colleges in US list released

Emmaus Bible College tops this year's list of Top 50 Bible Colleges.

The list was released Thursday, June 2 by Christian Universities Online (CUO), an online resource that provides rankings and reviews for those seeking Christian higher education.

According to the website, the colleges included in this year's best list have the common denominator of specializing in courses related to the Bible and/or ministry. Factors such as accreditation (national, regional, or both), overall student satisfaction, and financial aid were top considerations.

The website described their process of selection by identifying those that are affiliated with The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) or accredited with The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).

The schools were weighed according to: (1) faculty-to-student ratio, (2) percentage of undergraduate recipients of grant or scholarship aid, (3) selectivity, (4) total retention rate, and (5) total graduation rate.

The online resource's associate editor, Anna Rebekah Orr, highlighted Emmaus Bible College's "wide variety of academic programs" as well as its offered scholarships, distance learning opportunities, and 9:1 student-faculty ratio as the main reasons that made it this year's top Bible college.

Meanwhile, the second best goes to Colombia International University as the school is "known for the emphasis it places upon spiritual formation, biblical authority and world evangelism" aside from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio.

Sealing the third spot is Illinois-based Lincoln Christian University with its aim to "nurture and equip Christians with a biblical worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world."

CUO defines a Christian university as one that creates a supportive environment that accepts "students of all faith or no faith" and respects Christian beliefs and standards.

"Meetings and social events open with prayer, seeking spiritual guidance. Professors often devote time to encourage students to give of themselves as required of the faithful," wrote CUO and concluded, "The college experience affects a student socially, spiritually and scholastically."