As many U.S. colleges struggle with enrollment declines and shifting demographics, a growing number of religious institutions are moving in the opposite direction—and doing so by doubling down on faith. From Kentucky to North Dakota and Utah, colleges that openly embrace their Christian or religious identities are attracting students and families seeking community, meaning, and what they describe as safe, values-based campuses.
At Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, last year’s student-led revival drew tens of thousands of visitors to the small campus for two weeks of spontaneous prayer and worship. When classes resumed that fall, the school announced its largest total enrollment in history. “Students are hungry for purpose,” President Kevin Brown told Christianity Today in January 2025, adding that Asbury’s spiritual culture had become a major draw for new applicants. The school now frames its mission more explicitly around spiritual formation and Christian service.
A similar story is unfolding across other evangelical colleges. According to Christianity Today, more than 30 evangelical institutions reported enrollment growth in 2024, with several reaching record highs despite a national downturn. Leaders attribute the uptick to a renewed emphasis on mission and community at a time when many families view secular universities as culturally or politically charged.
The pattern extends beyond Protestant campuses. The Catholic News Agency reported in late 2024 that Catholic universities with strong religious identities, including the University of Mary in North Dakota and Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, also saw record enrollment. University of Mary President Monsignor James Shea said in a statement that “students are seeking clarity, not compromise,” and that maintaining an “authentic Catholic identity” has become central to recruitment.
At the same time, Latter-day Saint institutions are experiencing sustained expansion. Deseret News reported that enrollment across the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ educational system—including Brigham Young University (BYU) campuses and affiliated seminaries—has surpassed 900,000 students worldwide, up markedly from pre-pandemic totals. BYU–Idaho enrolled its largest freshman class ever in 2024, defying predictions that younger Americans were abandoning organized religion.
Analysts say the renewed interest in faith-based colleges fits broader social trends. Many students and parents, especially after the pandemic, cited a desire for belonging and moral grounding as major factors in their college decisions. A 2025 survey by the Center for Academic Faithfulness & Flourishing, summarized by Religion News Service, found that religious commitment ranked as the top reason families choose a Christian college. The report cautioned that institutions that “soften the edges” of their faith to appeal to broader audiences risk alienating their core market.
That lesson resonates with campus leaders. In a panel discussion covered by The Christian Post, presidents and administrators at the American Council on Education’s annual meeting urged religious institutions to be unapologetic about their missions. Interfaith America founder Eboo Patel told attendees that “identity is not exclusion—it’s clarity,” arguing that colleges should articulate their spiritual commitments while remaining open to dialogue.
Market data supports the notion that religious distinctiveness can be a competitive advantage. BestColleges reported that faith-based schools collectively grew enrollment by 82% between 1980 and 2020—compared with 57% growth across higher education overall. Many of those gains have been concentrated at institutions that emphasize affordability, service, and faith integration in academics.
Still, not all faith-based colleges are thriving. Some small religious campuses continue to close or merge due to financial strain, and a few large Christian universities face public scrutiny over compliance and transparency. In November 2024, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Department of Education fined Grand Canyon University $37.7 million for allegedly misleading students about the cost of doctoral programs. Liberty University, another high-profile Christian institution, previously paid a $14 million penalty over Clery Act violations related to crime reporting. Both cases highlight the tension between marketing safe environments and ensuring accountability.
Legal developments may also shape the sector’s future. In August 2024, a federal court ruling in Minnesota allowed religious colleges to participate in a state dual-enrollment program, even though they require statements of faith from faculty and students. The decision underscored constitutional protections for religious institutions and could broaden access to high school pipelines that feed private faith-based institutions.
Experts say the growing appeal of religious colleges reflects a broader cultural polarization that has pushed some families to seek ideological and moral alignment in higher education. For institutions, leaning into faith identity can strengthen loyalty and recruitment—but it also requires navigating political scrutiny and maintaining academic credibility.
“Students today are looking for communities that mean something,” said Peter Rine, a researcher who studies faith-based college enrollment trends. “They want an education that aligns with their worldview and feels anchored in purpose.”
For colleges willing to define themselves clearly, the reward may be renewed relevance in an era of shrinking applicant pools. But clarity also carries risk. The most successful religious institutions, experts say, will be those that combine moral conviction with openness and transparency, proving that faith and academic rigor can coexist.
