{"id":1280,"date":"2024-05-15T11:42:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T15:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/?p=1280"},"modified":"2024-05-15T11:42:29","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T15:42:29","slug":"the-state-of-christian-colleges-and-universities-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/latestnews\/2024\/05\/15\/the-state-of-christian-colleges-and-universities-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian Colleges Experience Enrollment Boost Amidst Renewed Spiritual Awakening"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the 6,000 institutions of higher education<\/a> in America, nearly 1 of 6<\/a> are labeled as Christian colleges and universities.<\/p>\n

Education with a Bible-centric perspective is important for millions of believers nationwide, but are Christians taking advantage of those options nationwide?<\/p>\n

On the heels of the Asbury Revival in 2023<\/a>, Christian colleges and universities reported record-high enrollment<\/a>. Asbury University alone saw a 20% spike in enrollment. Only five years ago, enrollment among those same schools was going in the exact opposite direction<\/a>. While that seems like a rapid ebb and flow, it underscores how Christian education has usually benefited from a move of God in America.<\/p>\n

Revival’s Place in Christian Education<\/h2>\n

In Christian education, last year’s “Asbury effect” is not unique. Since faith-based higher education schools began, students have been interested in when God moves. Consider the U.S. “Third Great Awakening<\/a>” between 1855 and 1930.<\/p>\n

At that time, people searched for the reality of God, righteousness in man, and the influence of Scripture across the country. That national focus can’t be necessarily equated as the cause for the abolition of slavery, the inception of civil rights, the prohibition of alcohol, women gaining the right to vote, and the rise of social outreach, but they all started during those 75 years.<\/p>\n

\"collegiate
Emerson Hall at Harvard University with its Christian roots on display, Psalms 8:4 (Image credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two significant accomplishments during that time were also the birth of the “Bible College Movement” that directly led to the establishment of A.B. Simpson’s Nyack Missionary Training Institute (1882) and D.L. Moody’s Bible Institute (1886). These are considered the first Christian colleges and universities in North America. Yet, they were not the first faith-centric.<\/p>\n