Special Report

The Most Conservative Colleges in the US

24/7 Wall St. Staff

Published: February 9, 2024 1:29 pm

Last Updated: February 15, 2024 7:27 pm

Key Points:

• Conservative-leaning colleges and universities in the US are a popular choice for students today—nearly 195,000 full time students enrolled in a conservative-leaning institution in 2021.
• These colleges and universities trend towards accepting more students—with some acceptance rates as high as 100%.
• Several of the most conservative colleges have Christian-focused education.
• Many conservative institutions are private schools with higher out-of-pocket costs, yet the median earnings reported range from $41,812 to $76,672 10 years after starting school.

Many conservatives in the United States view college campuses as places where few of them are encouraged to speak their minds, and where their beliefs are not respected. They believe that liberals overall have more freedom to say what they feel.  American conservatives perceive college campuses 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.”

The definition of what it means to be “left” or “right” is subject to different interpretations, although there is evidence the culture of higher education leans towards the left. However, the United States has a vast higher-education system and there are many options for students who would prefer to enter a conservative-leaning college environment — especially students seeking a Christian-focused education. 

24/7 Wall St. reviewed 2023 Most Conservative Colleges in America from Niche to find the most conservative colleges in the U.S. 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. These 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.)

These conservative institutions typically have higher acceptance rates, ranging between 53% and 100%, and can also have higher out-of-pocket costs because many are mostly private schools. Net price among the 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.)

Though several of the most conservative colleges in the U.S. listed here 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 the U.S. 

See below for our detailed methodology.

25. Montana Technological University

Source: Chris Ryan / OJO Images via Getty Images

• 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

24. George Fox University

Source: M.O. Stevens / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

23. Lee University

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

21. Maranatha Baptist University

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: Chainarong Prasertthai / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

19. Texas A&M University

Source: Jujutacular / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: Philpottm / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: Valis55 / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

16. West Texas A & M University

Source: J. Nguyen~commonswiki / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

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• 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

14. University of Dallas

Source: Wissembourg / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: Sweetmoose6 / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

11. Southern Methodist University

Source: Wolterk / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Ccasey11 / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

9. Utah State University

Source: raclro / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

8. Biola University

Source: Photographeroflife / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: SmokyWikiEditorOnline / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

6. Brigham Young University-Idaho

Source: kenlund / Flickr

• 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

Source: JuliaGotts / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

4. Cedarville University

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

3. Bob Jones University

Source: Hi540 / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: chucka_nc / Flickr

• 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

1. Brigham Young University

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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.