To a great many American conservatives, college campuses are seen as growing bastions of liberalism where speakers expressing viewpoints contrary to far-left ideologies are often excluded, and “safe spaces” are established to shield students from “microaggressions” and “triggers.”
Adam S. Hoffman, a senior at Princeton, argued in a New York Times opinion piece in March that liberal college campuses are pushing “freethinkers” to the right by focusing on “preferred pronouns” or “land acknowledgments.” Hoffman added, “A student who jokes about the wrong subject might face social punishment.”
Indeed, there is evidence the culture of higher education leans left — albeit the definition of what it means to be “left” or “right” is subject to different interpretations. Still, in America’s enormous higher-education system, there are many options for students who would prefer to enter a conservative-leaning college environment — especially students seeking a Christian-focused education. In fact, the 25 most conservative universities and colleges in the country, as ranked by education data clearinghouse Niche, enrolled nearly 195,000 full-time students in 2021, led by Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. (To compare, these are the 25 most liberal colleges in America.)
To find the 25 most conservative colleges in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 Most Conservative Colleges in America from Niche. Niche’s ranking is based on student reviews of the political leanings of the campus community, mostly consisting of self-reported personal political leaning, but also campus political preferences.
The conservative universities and colleges tend to have higher acceptance rates, ranging between 53% and 100%. They can also have higher out-of-pocket costs because many are mostly private schools. Net price among the 25 conservative colleges on the list ranges from $6,327 at Brigham Young University-Idaho to $41,986 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Southern Methodist University also had the highest SAT score for accepted students in the 2020-2021 academic year, at 1510 (a perfect SAT score is 1600). (These are the most expensive colleges in America.)
Six of these 25 conservative schools are located in Texas, including Dallas-based Southern Methodist and Abilene Christian University. The rest are spread out in 17 states, such as Biola University in La Miranda, California; Ohio’s Cedarville University; and Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Though several of the most conservative higher-learning institutions on this list have Christian-focused education, business management marketing and related support services was the most popular undergraduate major in 16 of the 25 most conservative colleges.
Here are the most conservative colleges in America.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
25. Montana Technological University
> Location: Butte, MT
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 90%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $15,332
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $51,910
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Engineering
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,382
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24. George Fox University
> Location: Newberg, OR
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 83%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $31,236
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $54,279
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 2,341
24/7 Wall St.23. Lee University
> Location: Cleveland, TN
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 83%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $19,159
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $42,772
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Health professions and related programs
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,041
22. Abilene Christian University
> Location: Abilene, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 70%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $29,734
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $51,336
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,032
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21. Maranatha Baptist University
> Location: Watertown, WI
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 80%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $20,542
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $45,876
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Education
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 482
20. Evangel University
> Location: Springfield, MO
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 64%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $21,641
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $45,450
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,421
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19. Texas A&M University
> Location: College Station, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 64%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $22,253
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $70,877
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Engineering
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 50,225
18. Cornerstone University
> Location: Grand Rapids, MI
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 91%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $20,780
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $45,033
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,132
17. Harding University
> Location: Searcy, AR
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 54%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $20,533
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $50,273
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,072
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16. West Texas A & M University
> Location: Canyon, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 97%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $13,802
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $49,266
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Health professions and related programs
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 5,332
15. Dallas Baptist University
> Location: Dallas, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 90%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $27,599
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $53,741
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 2,300
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14. University of Dallas
> Location: Irving, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 57.999999999999993%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $25,620
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $56,733
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,466
13. Samford University
> Location: Birmingham, AL
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 84%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $31,871
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $54,742
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Health professions and related programs
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,549
12. Grove City College
> Location: Grove City, PA
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 73%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $21,846
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 2,157
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11. Southern Methodist University
> Location: Dallas, TX
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 53%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $41,986
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $76,672
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 6,728
10. Palm Beach Atlantic University
> Location: West Palm Beach, FL
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 90%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $27,881
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $49,234
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 2,136
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9. Utah State University
> Location: Logan, UT
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 93%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $14,529
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $52,764
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Social sciences
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 16,476
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8. Biola University
> Location: La Mirada, CA
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 61%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $29,123
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $53,148
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,289
7. North Greenville University
> Location: Tigerville, SC
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 70%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $19,514
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $41,812
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Education
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,551
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6. Brigham Young University-Idaho
> Location: Rexburg, ID
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 97%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $6,327
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $52,551
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 17,917
5. Colorado Christian University
> Location: Lakewood, CO
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 100%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $26,759
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $48,890
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 1,921
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4. Cedarville University
> Location: Cedarville, OH
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 62%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $25,380
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $53,681
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Health professions and related programs
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 3,597
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3. Bob Jones University
> Location: Greenville, SC
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 100%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $19,049
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $43,148
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 2,285
2. Liberty University
> Location: Lynchburg, VA
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 99%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $27,891
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $45,115
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 29,834
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1. Brigham Young University
> Location: Provo, UT
> Acceptance rate, fall 2021: 59%
> Avg. net price, 2020-2021: $13,432
> Median earnings 10 yrs. after starting school, 2019-2020: $74,630
> Most common undergrad degree awarded, 2020-2021: Business management marketing and related support services
> Full-time undergrad enrollment, fall 2021: 28,282
Methodology
To find the 25 most conservative colleges, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 Most Conservative Colleges in America from education data clearinghouse Niche. Niche’s ranking is based on student reviews of the political leanings of the campus community. The two factors Niche considered are: self-reported student survey on personal political leaning, which accounted for 80% of the consideration, and self-reported student survey on campus political preferences, which accounted for 20% of the consideration. Both surveys only included Niche users.
Data on acceptance rate in fall 2021 and net price in the 2020-2021 academic year came from Niche, based on the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Net price refers to total cost of attendance (sum of tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses) minus any aid (federal, state/local, institutional grant, and scholarship). Data on median earnings 10 years after entry and are for the 2019-2020 academic year, the degree most awarded for undergraduates as first major in 2020-2021, and enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in fall 2021 also came from IPEDS.
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