Why This Matters
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29% OF CAREERS REQUIRE SOME LEVEL OF COLLEGE
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that around 29% of jobs require applicants to have completed at least some college coursework.
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5.5% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDERS
The unemployment rate for high school graduates is 9%, but those with a bachelor’s degree have an unemployment rate of just 5.5%.
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EARN AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $65,000
Those with a high school diploma make, on average, $746 per week. With an associate degree, you can earn an average of $887, and a bachelor’s degree can push that figure up to $1,248 per week.
Our Research
To help curate this list of the best online Christian colleges, we looked at schools across the country that offered associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. All of the schools that we included deliver these programs in an online format for greater flexibility.
As you are comparing Christian colleges, it’s important to look at accreditations to ensure that the program and school are reputable. This also ensures that your degree will be accepted by employers and that you can transfer credits if needed. The programs on our list are accredited by bodies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- 53 hours to write this article
- 200 universities and colleges we assessed
- 397 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Christian Colleges
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Christian colleges usually offer a variety of degrees, including those at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate level. The higher the level, the more rigorous the coursework. There will also be different core classes and electives required depending on whether your degree is in the science or arts field.
In general, regional accreditations signify a higher quality of educational program than national accreditations. But as long as the program you are applying for is accredited, it should be legitimate.
The job outlook for your career depends on your specific profession. For example, the job growth projection for those in pastoral ministry is 4%, but those who are going into counseling can expect 22% job growth. In general, just having a degree of some sort increases your chances of finding a job.
The certifications or licenses that may be required to get a job after graduation depends on your field. Make sure to talk to an advisor to ensure you are prepared.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online Christian colleges:
- Am I eligible for this program? What you need to apply for a Christian college depends on your degree and major. For a bachelor’s degree, you may just need SAT/ACT test scores and a high school diploma. For a master’s degree, you may need recommendations from faculty and a specific undergraduate GPA. You may also be asked to write a statement of faith or agree to a behavioral code of conduct.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Online programs are usually delivered asynchronously, which means you can work at your own pace as long as everything is completed by the stated deadlines. However, some classes may require some synchronous learning in the form of Zoom meetings, supervised hours, or group discussions.
When you are preparing to apply to a college, keep in mind all of the application deadlines as well as those for financial aid. You should give yourself plenty of time to gather everything you need to submit before the due dates.