Top Conservative Colleges in America

Conservative colleges pride themselves on the seriousness with which they pursue their primary mission: not only maintaining rigorous academic standards and thus helping their students towards high intellectual attainment, but also inspiring in them the moral character, civic virtues, and fiscal responsibility typically associated with conservatism.

A conservative college helps like-minded students earn degrees through a traditional worldview. These colleges often emphasize specific religious belief systems in their academic programs and campus communities.

Conservative colleges’ ideologies often attract students with similar political beliefs. Conservative institutions are well suited to individuals with establishmentarian ideals, while learners with more liberal or moderate beliefs have limited opportunities at conservative schools.

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Best Conservative Colleges in the U.S. Ranking Guidelines

Students should consider the mission of any prospective institution as they explore options. Finding a school that matches your personal, spiritual, and political values is important. Additional factors to keep in mind include tuition rate, program availability, and location.

Many top conservative colleges are private institutions and provide significant financial aid to students. Online coursework and programs allow students to take classes at conservative colleges on a flexible schedule.

Colleges and universities in the United States can hold institutional or programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation is for an entire institution, while programmatic accreditation applies to individual degrees and programs at private and public institutions.

Many online and religious institutions hold both regional and programmatic accreditation.

Students should check the accreditation status for any prospective school or program. Accreditation status can affect financial aid, transfer options, and overall program quality.

Conservative colleges tend to be private schools, so their student bodies are smaller than those at public institutions. Because most students adhere to a common belief system, a conservative college can build strong community connections between students and faculty.

While attending a conservative college, students often have to meet behavioral and moral expectations. Some conservative colleges separate men and women in on-campus housing. They may also limit interaction at events and in classes. Visitor policies may also reflect this separation.

Many conservative institutions require dress codes, attendance at chapel or worship services, and volunteer hours. Some schools also regulate language use and other aspects of personal and social presence through institutional honor codes.

The top conservative colleges offer many of the same programs as their moderate and liberal counterparts, but through a conservative lens. Popular majors at conservative colleges include business, economics, and history. Faculty encourage students to apply a Christian or conservative view in the classroom and to their future professions.

Due to strong religious affiliations, conservative colleges usually offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology, ministry, and related religious fields. Conservative colleges often train future pastors, ministers, and spiritual counselors.

Liberty University, Regent University, and Brigham Young University are among the most conservative colleges in the U.S. These institutions offer academic programs with religious and conservative values.

Yes. Conservative institutions in New England include Stonehill College and Anna Maria College in Massachusetts.

Yes. LeTourneau University, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and Angelo State are among the most conservative colleges in Texas.

Yes. In New York, Iona College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and Le Moyne College are among the best conservative colleges.