Can you afford a Christian college education?
The economic news seems to be getting worse. Mom or Dad may have had their pay cut — or worse yet, lost their jobs. Prices are higher for everything it seems. And now it’s time to start looking at colleges.
Can you afford a Christian college education?
That’s the question many students and parents are asking right now. The problem is, it’s the wrong question.
The right question is: Can you afford not to attend a Christian college?
Evangel University Director of Admissions Jeff Burnett acknowledges that the economy is creating a challenge for many families, but he encourages them to carefully consider the difference in atmosphere between a campus like Evangel and a secular university campus.
“It is during a person’s college years that they are building the foundations for their adult life,” says Burnett. “One’s worldview, friendships, politics, potential choice of a spouse — these and many other decisions are being made without parental input and are most influenced by campus culture.”
“It’s not that Evangel — or any Christian university — is perfect; but there is a difference in what’s expected,” says Paul K. Logsdon, director of Public Relations for Evangel University. “At a state school, the pressures and activities often are not positive, from a Christian perspective. At Evangel, however, we strive to reinforce the Christian teaching most of our students receive at home.”
In his 21-year tenure at the university, Logsdon has spoken with many people who wish they had made the Christian-college choice.
“Often we hear words of regret from our alumni and friends about their children’s choices,” says Logsdon. “They’ll say, ‘We thought our son would be different. He was so solid with the Lord when he left for college;’ or, ‘She promised to be involved in campus ministry and attend church, but that didn’t last very long.’ It is very common to hear, ‘I wish I had insisted on Evangel.’”
Alarming research
Recent research backs up the anecdotal evidence that Evangel administrators see.
According to a study by George Fox University professor Gary Railsback*, 52 percent of incoming freshmen who identify themselves as born-again upon entering a public university will either no longer identify themselves as born-again four years later, or even if they do still call themselves Christian, will not have attended any religious service in more than a year.
This means more than half of students are reporting a rejection of family religious values if they attend a public university.
“Research plainly shows that most students are unprepared for the conflict of worldviews they will encounter at non-Christian colleges and universities,” says Steve Henderson, president of Christian Consulting for Colleges and Ministries, Inc., in Christianity Today.
Henderson, who has a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas, has heavily researched the relationship between college affiliation and religious commitment.
He writes, “The research clearly establishes that enrollment in … secular private colleges, or public colleges and universities, correlates with significant decreases in religious affiliation and behavior, such as church attendance, praying, reading the Bible, and discussing religion.
“On the other hand, enrollment in church-related colleges of all types tends to support and strengthen the student’s existing religious values and behaviors,” Henderson concluded.
A March 29, 2005, Washington Post article by Howard Kurtz, “Study Finds College Faculties a Most Liberal Lot,” reported that the majority of faculty at secular universities disdain Christianity, with 72 percent indicating they are liberal, 84 percent favoring abortion, and 67 percent indicating homosexuality is acceptable. In most cases students reflect the values of the college faculty under whom they study. Certainly a Christian worldview will not be supported, much less taught, in this environment.
Controlling costs
For families still struggling with the cost issue but committed to providing their students with a quality Christian college education, Burnett points out that Evangel University is significantly less expensive than most comparable Christian colleges around the nation.
“Our Midwestern location helps, with its more affordable cost of living,” says Burnett. “Our administration’s goal is to keep EU’s tuition attainable for as many students as possible. In addition, scholarships for academic performance, academic interest and athletic ability are available.”
Evangel also participates with federal financial aid programs such as grants and low-interest student loans. Burnett encourages students to explore the Internet for more financial aid opportunities.
For more information, please call Evangel at (417) 865-2811 ext. 7205.
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*As printed in the March 2006 issue of Christianity Today