The editors at Lord’s Library have compiled this list of the best Christian colleges in Arkansas to save you the search.
Searching for the best Christian colleges in Arkansas can involve a fair bit of research with a number of options across the state. According to Pew Research Center’s 2014 Religious Landscape Study, the religious composition of Christian adults in the state is 79 percent. Arkansas’ Christian higher learning landscape includes colleges and universities with varying degrees of religious study, as well as dedicated Bible colleges for a scripture-first approach.
Choosing the institution that is right for you will largely depend on your spiritual and educational goals. It’s with this in mind that our editors assembled this list of the best Christian colleges in Arkansas to consider. Each entry includes the school’s location and a brief “From the institution” description to give you a high-level overview of the college and save you time. Simply click the college name or logo to go direct to the institution’s website if you want to learn more.
Note: The best Christian colleges in Arkansas are ranked in alphabetical order.
The Best Christian Colleges in Arkansas
Arkansas Baptist
Location: Little Rock, AR
From the institution: “Arkansas Baptist College, originally named the Minister’s Institute, was founded in 1884 by the Colored Baptists of Arkansas during their annual convention at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Little Rock. The primary objective of the institute was to raise the educational level within the Negro Ministry. The secondary objective was to aid the state in making higher education available to young Negro men and women. Most of the College’s students were trained in the ministry. Today, Religious Studies continues to be one of major disciplines of matriculation into the College.”
Central Baptist College
Location: Conway, AR
From the institution: “The value of Christian higher education is the value that has always under girded Central Baptist College’s mission statement. Since the institution’s inception in 1952, its mission has focused on educating the whole person — intellectually, physically, and spiritually. While many other colleges and universities subscribe to the notion of holistic education, it is the spiritual dimension of higher education that has made and continues to make Central Baptist College unique.”
Crowley’s Ridge
Location: Paragould, AR
From the institution: “Crowley’s Ridge College is a private, four-year, church affiliated but autonomous, coeducational liberal arts college, providing for its students a balanced course of studies appropriate for Bachelor and Associate Degrees. While the College is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, students of all religious backgrounds are welcome at Crowley’s Ridge College. The student population comprises both non-traditional and traditional residential and commuter students. The College is committed to a continual emphasis on the integration of scholarship, critical reasoning, and the spiritual dimension of life. Preserving a commitment to a tradition of small class sizes and a philosophy of open enrollment helps the College maintain a focus on the whole student as an individual.”
Ecclesia College
Location: Springdale, AR
From the institution: “As an institution of Biblical higher education, Ecclesia College equips Christ followers with godly character traits, academic competencies, and work skills to be effective leaders for the advance of Christ’s Kingdom within our troubled world. The College’s Biblical faith and character-based education have prepared students and graduates to positively influence their world. Ecclesia alumni have been exemplars in today’s professions, enterprises, and churches, touching over 106 nations to date.”
Harding University
Location: Searcy, AR
From the institution: “Harding University is a private Christian institution of higher education committed to the tradition of the liberal arts and sciences. It is composed of the following academic units: a College of Allied Health, a College of Arts and Humanities, a College of Bible and Ministry, a College of Business Administration, a College of Education, a College of Nursing, a College of Pharmacy, a College of Sciences, and a School of Theology, through which over 100 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs in athletic training, business, education, mental health and wellness, ministry, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and theology are offered.”
Hendrix College
Location: Conway, AR
From the institution: “The Hendrix College seal appeared for the first time on the cover of the 1898 catalog. The seal included the College’s motto, selected by a committee headed by the Rev. George W. Hill and taken from a passage in Ephesians: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ …” (Ephesians 4:13, King James Version). Currently translated as “unto the whole person,” the motto, in Ancient Greek, reflects Hendrix’s dedication to both Christian principles and the traditional liberal arts ideal.”
John Brown University
Location: Siloam Springs, AR
From the institution: “Founded in 1919, JBU is a leader in Christian higher education, providing a top-ranked academic, spiritual and professional foundation for world-impacting careers. John Brown University admits persons to its programs and activities without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, or gender. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, or gender in the administration of education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-sponsored programs.”
Lyon College
Location: Batesville, AR
From the institution: “A selective, independent, undergraduate, residential teaching and learning community affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Lyon College offers a challenging curriculum centered on the liberal arts, guided by an Honor System and coordinated with co-curricular programs, all fostering the critical, creative thought and ethical, spiritual growth that will prepare students for fulfilling personal and professional lives committed to lifelong learning and service.”
Ouachita Baptist University
Location: Arkadelphia, AR
From the institution: “Welcome to Ouachita Baptist University! What makes us different? For more than 130 years, Ouachita has been committed to encouraging a love of God and a love of learning. As a leading liberal arts university, Ouachita has earned a strong academic reputation. Combine all that with a close-knit campus community and you have a setting where students thrive academically, spiritually and personally.”
University of the Ozarks
Location: Clarksville, AR
From the institution: “At University of the Ozarks, we encourage you to actively pursue your spiritual growth and form deeper connections with the world around you. While we’re a private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), we’re open and accepting of all. You are welcome to attend weekly services held in our beautiful campus chapel or pursue your spiritual development on your own through a number of student organizations reflecting a wide spectrum of spiritual beliefs.”
Williams Baptist University
Location: Walnut Ridge, AR
From the institution: “The foundation of Williams Baptist University is the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 10:9-10), the Incarnate Son and Word of God, and the Divine Creator and Savior of the world. We aspire to be a Christ-centered institution of higher education in character, conduct, and academic pursuits. This aspiration calls for faculty, staff, and students to integrate the Christian faith in all aspects of the University. The lordship of Christ is the center of all things related to the University (Colossians 1:15-20) and is the basis from which we form our Christian worldview. We believe this biblical commitment is essential for the preparation of students to engage local and global cultures.”
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