Florida is home to many Christian colleges and universities that provide students with a faith-based education while also offering a diverse range of academic programs. In this article, we will take a closer look at 26 Christian colleges in Florida, including their religious affiliations, academic programs, campus life, and more. All of these Christian colleges in Florida are private colleges versus public colleges.
Christian Colleges in Florida
In order to build this list, BrokeScholar used the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator tool and filtered our search of Florida colleges by every Christian religious affiliation available. This ultimately generated a list of 26 Christian colleges in Florida, representing a variety of denominations. Here’s the list of Christian colleges in Florida, arranged in alphabetical order of their religious affiliation:
1. Edward Waters University
Religious affiliation: African Methodist Episcopal
Edward Waters University is a private, historically black university located in Jacksonville, Florida. It was founded in 1866 and is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The university offers undergraduate programs in fields such as business, education, and natural sciences, as well as graduate programs in education. The school’s undergraduate admission rate is roughly 80%.
The campus of Edward Waters University is small and intimate, with a tight-knit community of students and faculty. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including clubs and sports teams. The average cost of tuition and required fees per academic year is approximately $14,878, which is comparably affordable relative to the typical cost of private not-for-profit- colleges in the US.
2. Southeastern University
Religious affiliation: Assemblies of God Church
Southeastern University is a private, Christian university located in Lakeland, Florida. It is affiliated with the Assemblies of God Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and ministry. Southeastern University is on the larger side of private not-for-profit schools in terms of its student population, with 9,365 students in total of which a little over 8,100 are undergraduate students.
The campus of Southeastern University is modern and vibrant, with state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse student body. Students have access to a wide range of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a variety of campus organizations and activities. Southeastern University also has a comparatively competitive undergraduate admission rate of 45%. In terms of cost to attend, the average cost of tuition and required fees is an estimated $30,148 per academic year.
3. Florida Memorial University
Religious affiliation: Baptist
Florida Memorial University is a private, historically black university — like Edward Waters University — located in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is affiliated with the Baptist Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and social sciences. In terms of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year, the most popular major at Florida Memorial University was Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration, with 29 degrees awarded that year.
The campus of Florida Memorial University is diverse and welcoming, with a strong commitment to social justice and community engagement. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including clubs, sports teams, and volunteer opportunities. Admissions are on the slightly more competitive side, with 57% of undergraduate applicants being admitted. As for cost to attend, the average cost of tuition and required fees is approximately $16,836 per academic year, which is, again, affordable compared to most private not-for-profit colleges.
4. Trinity Baptist College
Religious affiliation: Baptist
Trinity Baptist College is a private, Christian college located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is affiliated with the Baptist Church and offers undergraduate programs in a wide variety of fields such as business, education, and ministry. In fact, majoring in Bible/Biblical Studies was the most popular bachelor’s degree, with 29 awarded in the last academic year. In terms of master’s degrees, the most popular was Educational Leadership and Administration, General, with 5 degrees awarded in the last academic year.
The campus of Trinity Baptist College is small and close-knit, with a focus on community and spiritual growth. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including chapel services, Bible studies, and community service projects. Its close-knit campus nature is understandable because there are only 355 undergraduate students. Tuition is also affordable at around $14,300 per academic year.
5. Johnson University Florida
Religious affiliation: Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Johnson University Florida is a private, Christian university located in Kissimmee, Florida. It is affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as ministry, counseling, and leadership. In terms of bachelor’s degrees awarded, the most popular major was Psychology, General, with 9 degrees conferred in that field in the last academic year.
The campus of Johnson University Florida is small and supportive, with a focus on spiritual growth and academic excellence. The university only has 149 students, all of them undergraduates. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a strong network of alumni. Its undergraduate acceptance rate is roughly 42%, which makes it one of the more selective Christian colleges in Florida. As for the cost of tuition, it is roughly $18,614 per academic year.
6. Warner University
Religious affiliation: Church of God
Warner University is a private, Christian university located in Lake Wales, Florida. It is affiliated with the Church of God and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and ministry. The most popular major at Warner University was Elementary Education and Teaching, with 41 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year. In comparison to the Christian colleges in Florida on our list, admissions are on the more selective side at Warner University, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 53%.
The campus of Warner University is warm and welcoming, with a strong sense of community and a commitment to service. The student body is relatively small, with just over 780 undergraduate students and 907 students in total. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including chapel services, community service projects, and sports teams. When it comes to the cost to attend, the average cost of tuition and required fees is $28,044 per academic year.
7. Trinity International University-Florida
Religious affiliation: Evangelical Free Church of America
Trinity International University-Florida is a private, Christian university located in Davie, Florida. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as education, counseling, and leadership. As is common with several other Christian colleges in Florida, the top major was Psychology, General, with 8 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year.
The campus of Trinity International University-Florida is modern and diverse, with a strong commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth. The school is also quite small, with only about 80 undergraduate students and close to 140 students in total. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a vibrant community of students and faculty. Compared to other private colleges, Trinity International is fairly affordable with an average cost of tuition and required fees of $14,160 per academic year.
8. Palm Beach Atlantic University
Religious affiliation: Interdenominational
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, Christian university located in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is affiliated with the Interdenominational Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and nursing. The two top majors, based on the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded, were Psychology, General, with 49 degrees conferred in the last academic year, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 47 awarded.
The campus of Palm Beach Atlantic University is beautiful and scenic, with a strong emphasis on community and spiritual growth. The student body is medium-sized, with over 2,800 undergraduates and nearly 3,700 students in total. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including chapel services, service projects, and sports teams. In terms of cost to attend, Palm Beach Atlantic is on the more expensive side, with the average cost of tuition and required fees being $35,900 per academic year.
9. South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary
Religious affiliation: Interdenominational
South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary is a private, Christian college located in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It is affiliated with the Interdenominational Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as ministry, counseling, and leadership. The most popular major at the school for the last academic year was Bible/Biblical Studies, with 6 bachelor’s degree awarded that year.
The campus of South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary is small and intimate, possessing no on-campus housing and hosting only 226 undergraduate students. This seminary naturally puts a strong focus on spiritual growth and academic excellence. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a close-knit community of students and faculty. The good news is that, in terms of education expenses, this school is quite affordable, with an average cost of tuition and required fees of $7,380 per academic year.
10. Trinity College of Florida
Religious affiliation: Interdenominational
Trinity College of Florida is a private, Christian college located in Trinity, Florida. It is affiliated with the Interdenominational Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as ministry, counseling, and leadership. Being a Christian college, it’s not too surprising that the top major was Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies, with 12 bachelor’s degrees awarded in that field in the last academic year.
The campus of Trinity College of Florida is small and friendly, with only 204 undergraduate students overall. The college places a strong focus on community and spiritual growth. Students are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and activities, including chapel services, mission trips, and sports teams. Trinity College leans towards the more competitive side, with the undergraduate admission rate being only 47%. What’s more, the cost of tuition and required fees is an estimated $16,300 per academic year.
11. Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College
Religious affiliation: Non-Denominational
Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College is a private, Christian college located in Tampa, Florida. It is affiliated with the Non-Denominational Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as ministry, counseling, and leadership. On the undergraduate level, the most popular major was Theology/Theological Studies, with 17 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year, as well as 2 master’s degrees and 2 doctoral degrees in the same field.
The campus of Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College is small and intimate, with only 80 undergraduate students and 119 students in total. The college puts a major focus on spiritual growth and academic excellence. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a supportive community of students and faculty. The cost of tuition and required fees is only $1,520 per academic year.
12. University of Fort Lauderdale
Religious affiliation: Non-Denominational
University of Fort Lauderdale is a private, Christian university located in Lauderhill, Florida. It is affiliated with the Non-Denominational Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and ministry. The school awards degrees on levels ranging from associate’s to master’s degrees. University of Fort Lauderdale also has an open admissions policy.
The campus of University of Fort Lauderdale is modern and diverse, but small, with only 120 undergraduate students and no on-campus housing. As is common with Christian colleges in Florida, the university places a strong emphasis on academic excellence and spiritual growth. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a dynamic community of students and faculty. Equally important, the University of Fort Lauderdale is comparatively affordable to attend: Its average cost of tuition and required fees is $7,410 per academic year.
13. Eckerd College
Religious affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Eckerd College is a private, liberal arts college located in St. Petersburg, Florida, so you’re right on the Gulf Coast. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as environmental studies, international relations, and psychology. In fact, Eckerd College is one of the best colleges for marine biology in the US. Indeed, the most popular major in the last academic year was Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, with 80 bachelor’s degrees awarded that year.
The campus of Eckerd College is beautiful and serene, and about medium-sized, with a little over 2,000 students, all of them undergraduates. Experiential learning and global engagement are especially important at Eckerd College, which it makes it fairly unique among the top Christian colleges in Florida in terms of its main values. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a vibrant community of students and faculty. On the downside, the school is one of the more expensive on our list, with an average cost of tuition and fees of $48,900 per academic year.
14. Ave Maria School of Law
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Ave Maria School of Law is a private, Catholic law school located in Naples, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers a Juris Doctor degree program. Indeed, 75 doctoral degrees in Law were awarded in the last academic year. That’s out of a student body of just 299 students in total.
The campus of Ave Maria School of Law is modern and professional, with a strong emphasis on legal education and ethical leadership. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a strong network of alumni. But bear in mind, this is a graduate school only.
15. Ave Maria University
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Ave Maria University is a private, Catholic university located in Ave Maria, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as biology, economics, and theology. In terms of bachelor’s degrees awarded, the most popular degree was in Business Administration and Management, General, with 25 conferred in the last academic year.
The campus of Ave Maria University is beautiful and serene, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and spiritual growth. The undergraduate acceptance rate is more selective than many Christian colleges in Florida, with 64% of applicants being admitted. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a variety of campus organizations and activities. In terms of your wallet, the cost of tuition and required fees is right about the average, with an estimated price tag of $26,354 per academic year.
16. Barry University
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Barry University is a private, Catholic university located in Miami, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as nursing, education, and business. Barry University has a robust graduate student program, having about 3,330 undergraduate students versus more than 7,300 students total. Majoring in nursing is the most popular academic pursuit, with 125 bachelor’s degrees awarded in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse studies in the last academic year. That was followed closely by Business Administration and Management, General, with 115 bachelor’s degrees being awarded. In terms of master’s degrees, the most popular field of study was Business Administration and Management, General, with 185 degrees awarded in the last academic year.
The campus of Barry University is modern and vibrant, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and community engagement. The undergraduate acceptance rate is 64%, which is more selective-than-average of the Christian colleges in Florida that made our list. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a diverse range of campus organizations and activities. The cost of tuition is on the more expensive side, averaging $32,500 per academic year.
17. Saint Leo University
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Saint Leo University is a private, Catholic university located in Saint Leo, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and criminal justice. Indeed, the latter — criminal justice — is especially popular. In the last academic year, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies was the most popular major, with 240 bachelor’s degrees being conferred that year, beating out Business Administration and Management, General, which had 231 bachelor’s degrees awarded.
The campus of Saint Leo University is beautiful and welcoming, having an undergraduate population of over 6,700 and over 9,500 students in total. Academic excellence and community service are the school’s major emphasis. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a dynamic community of students and faculty. In terms of affordability, Saint Leo is around average, with an estimated cost of tuition and required fees of $27,050 per academic year.
18. Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
St. John Vianney College Seminary is a private, Catholic college seminary located in Miami, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as philosophy and theology. This is a graduate school essentially, offering degrees only on the master’s level. The most popular degree was in Divinity/Ministry, which had 12 master’s degrees conferred in the last academic year.
The campus of St. John Vianney College Seminary is small and focused, with a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and academic excellence. The total student population is 136, with naturally no undergraduate students. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, spiritual guidance, and a supportive community of faculty and fellow seminarians.
19. St. John Vianney College Seminary
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
St. John Vianney College Seminary is a private, Catholic college seminary located in Miami, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as philosophy and theology. Philosophy was the school’s top major in the last academic year, with 9 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the field.
The campus of St. John Vianney College Seminary is small and focused, having only about 37 undergraduates and 45 students in total. Like many other Christian colleges in Florida, St. John Vianney puts a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and academic excellence. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, spiritual guidance, and a supportive community of faculty and fellow seminarians. In terms of cost, attending St. John Vianney will run you about the average of all the Christian colleges in Florida to make our list: The average cost of tuition and required fees is approximately $23,100 per academic year.
20. St. Thomas University
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
St. Thomas University is a private, Catholic university located in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as law, education, and business. St. Thomas awards degrees across multiple levels, ranging from undergraduate certificates to doctoral degrees. The most popular field to major in was Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which had 150 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year.
The campus of St. Thomas University is modern and diverse, with over 3,600 undergraduate students and more than 5,900 total students. The school places a major emphasis on academic excellence and social justice. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a dynamic community of students and faculty. When it comes to cost, St. Thomas leans slightly toward the most expensive side, having an average cost of tuition and required fees of $33,760 per academic year.
21. AdventHealth University
Religious affiliation: Seventh Day Adventist
AdventHealth University is a private, Seventh Day Adventist university located in Orlando, Florida. It is affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as nursing, healthcare administration, and counseling. What’s great about AdventHealth University is that it offers a range of degree programs, from undergraduate certificates up to doctoral degrees. The most popular major for undergraduates was Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, with 160 bachelor’s degrees being awarded in the last academic year.
The campus of AdventHealth University is modern and innovative, with a strong emphasis on healthcare education and service. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a dynamic community of students and faculty. The university has a total student population of over 1,600, of which roughly 1,140 are undergraduates. In terms of cost to attend, the average cost of tuition and required fees is approximately $20,340 per academic year.
22. Florida Baptist University
Religious affiliation: Southern Baptist
Florida Baptist University is a private, Southern Baptist university located in Graceville, Florida. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as ministry, education, and business. Unlike some of the other Christian colleges in Florida, this university is strictly religious studies, with 42 bachelor’s degrees, 42 master’s degrees, and 84 doctoral degrees awarded in Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other, in the last academic year alone.
The campus of Florida Baptist University is small and supportive, with a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and academic excellence. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a close-knit community of students and faculty. The downside is that there is no on-campus housing. In terms of cost, the approximate cost of tuition and required fees is $10,000 per academic year.
23. The Baptist College of Florida
Religious affiliation: Southern Baptist
The Baptist College of Florida is a private, Southern Baptist college located in Graceville, Florida. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as ministry, music, and education. Baptist College of Florida has a strong distance-learning program in addition to on-campus housing. Its most popular major, in terms of the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the last academic year, was Theology/Theological Studies, with 14 degrees conferred.
The campus of The Baptist College of Florida is small and intimate, with the school hosting only 422 undergraduate students. Not surprising for a Christian college, Baptist College of Florida places a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and academic excellence. Per usual with these Christian colleges in Florida, students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a close-knit community of students and faculty. The cost of tuition and required fees is approximately $12,450 per academic year, making it one of the more affordable colleges on our list.
24. Bethune-Cookman University
Religious affiliation: United Methodist
Bethune-Cookman University is a private, United Methodist university located in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as nursing, education, and criminal justice. It is also one of the best HBCU colleges in Florida. The school’s most popular major in the last academic year was Psychology, General, with 60 bachelor’s degrees conferred that year.
The campus of Bethune-Cookman University is historic and culturally rich, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and community engagement. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a diverse range of campus organizations and activities. In terms of size, it’s a medium-sized school in terms of private colleges, with a little over 2,500 undergraduate students and just over 2,600 students in total. The cost to attend is affordable, with tuition and required fees costing roughly $14,794 per academic year.
25. Florida Southern College
Religious affiliation: United Methodist
Florida Southern College is a private, United Methodist college located in Lakeland, Florida. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as biology, business, and art. Business is the school’s top field to major in, with 109 bachelor’s degrees awarded in Business Administration and Management, General, in the last academic year.
The campus of Florida Southern College is beautiful and historic, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and community engagement. There are just over 2,800 undergraduate students and just under 3,400 students in total. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a vibrant community of students and faculty. It is a bit on the expensive side, with an average cost of tuition and required fees of $40,500 per academic year.
26. Hobe Sound Bible College
Religious affiliation: Wesleyan
Hobe Sound Bible College is a private, Wesleyan college located in Hobe Sound, Florida. It is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church and offers undergraduate programs in fields such as ministry, music, and education. The college has a major distance-learning program as well as on-campus housing. In terms of bachelor’s degrees, the most popular major was in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, with 7 degrees conferred in the last academic year.
The campus of Hobe Sound Bible College is small and focused, being home to only 158 undergraduate students. Hobe Sound Bible College has a strong emphasis on spiritual formation and academic excellence. Students have access to a variety of resources, including academic support services, career services, and a supportive community of faculty and fellow students. The school has an open admissions policy and it’s comparatively affordable, with a cost of tuition and required fees of $7,960 per academic year.
The Bottom Line on Christian Colleges in Florida
Florida is home to a diverse range of Christian colleges and universities, each with its own unique history, culture, and educational philosophy. Whether you are seeking a small, intimate campus or a large, vibrant university, you are sure to find a Christian college in Florida that meets your needs and helps you achieve your academic and spiritual goals.
What’s great about these Christian colleges in Florida is the range of studies and values they emphasize. While all emphasize spiritual growth, in terms of academic studies, the range of undergraduate majors is broad, from theological studies to marine biology. Many of these schools are quite affordable when compared to national averages for the cost of private not-for-profit colleges and, especially, liberal arts colleges. But you can always bring down any cost of attendance a bit by applying for and winning college scholarships. Not all scholarships can cover the entire cost of attendance, but receiving any financial aid that doesn’t have to be paid back is a major win.
