Leading Christian higher education resource, Christian Universities Online, has published a ranking of the Top 50 Christian Colleges & Universities Exceeding Expectations. An institution exceeds expectations when its actual graduation rate is greater than its predicted graduation rate. Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA claimed the top spot on the list. Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana and Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California were ranked second and third respectively. The ranking can be viewed at http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/top-christian-colleges-exceeding-expectations/
The ranking considered schools that were regionally accredited and also either accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and/or a member or affiliate of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Predicted graduation rates were compared to actual graduation rates and then the ranking was built around the difference between those two measurements. Predicted graduation data came from U.S News, who came up with the percentage by considering the relationship between a school is six-year graduation rate, enrolling student is standardized test results, ranking position of the students in their high school graduating class, and a few additional categories. The difference between predicted and actual graduation rates is what we are calling the “Exceeding Expectations Value.” In the case of a tie, we first used graduation rates to break them and secondarily used acceptance rates only in a couple of cases.
Michael Templeton, lead editor for the ranking, stated that the goal is “to provide an alternative perspective to help parents and students make the most informed decision they can when selecting a Christian institution of higher education.” A ranking of schools that have exceeded their graduation expectations is ione way to evaluate how well schools enhance the achievement of their students, Templeton noted. Templeton went on to add that the ranking is intended to supplement rather than supplant other ways of ranking schools.
Christian Universities Online is an independent online resource for students and families researching Christian higher education. The site publishes rankings and reviews of the best Christian colleges and universities, information about Christian scholarships and financial aid, and many other resources for finding, getting into, and paying for a quality Christian education.
Other schools making the list include (in alphabetical order):
Apex School of Theology
Asbury University
Belhaven University
Bethel College-Mishawaka
Bethel University
Bluffton University
California Baptist University
Calvin College
Carson-Newman University
Cedarville University
College of the Ozarks
Corban University
Crown College
Dordt College
Eastern University
Evangel University
Geneva College
George Fox University
Gordon College
Goshen College
Grace College & Seminary
Greenville College
Houghton College
John Brown University
Malone University
Messiah College
Milligan College
Mississippi College
North Greenville University
North Park University
Northwestern College–IA
Point Loma Nazarene University
Roberts Wesleyan College
Seattle Pacific University
Shorter University
Spring Arbor University
Taylor University
Trinity Christian College
Union University
University of Mobile
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
Vanguard University of Southern California
Warner Pacific College
Warner University
Waynesburg University
Westmont College
Wheaton College
Whitworth University
