The Benefits of Attending a Religiously Affiliated University

Religious colleges, whether Catholic, Jesuit, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, or another denomination, offer unique advantages beyond academics. Here are some key benefits:

1. Values-Based Education

• Religious colleges emphasize ethics, integrity, and social responsibility, helping students develop a moral and spiritual foundation alongside their academic studies.

• Many integrate faith and reason, encouraging critical thinking within a spiritual framework.

  
  

2. Strong Sense of Community

• Many religious schools foster a tight-knit campus culture, where students, faculty, and staff share common values and traditions.

• Small class sizes and personalized attention from professors are common.

  
  

3. Service & Social Justice Opportunities

• Religious colleges emphasize community service, social justice, and humanitarian efforts, providing students hands-on experience in making a difference.

• Jesuit schools, for example, focus on "Faith That Does Justice", while Dominican schools highlight Veritas (Truth) and Service.

• Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) – Community service and social justice programs rooted in Jewish values.

  
  

4. Holistic Personal Development

• Many religious colleges prioritize cura personalis ("care for the whole person"), meaning they support students’ spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.

• Campus resources often include faith-based mentorship, spiritual retreats, and counseling services.

  
  

5. Ethical & Purpose-Driven Career Preparation

• Many religious colleges integrate moral and ethical discussions into business, healthcare, law, and other fields, preparing students for principled leadership.

• Strong alumni networks often provide mentorship and career opportunities.

  
  

6. Supportive Environment for Faith & Spirituality

• Students who want to deepen their faith can engage in Mass, Bible studies, Shabbat Services, chaplaincy programs, and religious clubs.

• Zakat & Sadaqah (Charitable Giving) – Many schools emphasize community service, social justice, and humanitarian efforts.

• Daily Prayers (Salah) – Many Muslim colleges provide designated prayer spaces and encourage regular five daily prayers.

• Halal or Kosher Dining – Campuses often provide fully kosher or halal meal plans to accommodate dietary laws.

  
  

However, most religious colleges welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds, promoting interfaith dialogue and respect.

7. Academic Excellence & Liberal Arts Focus

• Many religious colleges have rigorous academics with a strong liberal arts foundation, encouraging well-rounded education.

• Schools like Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Boston College are highly ranked for both academics and faith integration.

  
  

Jesuit Universities in the U.S.

Jesuit universities are a subset of Catholic universities, known for their rigorous academics and focus on social justice, ethics, and leadership. These universities follow Jesuit educational principles, emphasizing intellectual inquiry, ethical leadership, and service to others. Here are some well-known options:

1. Boston College (MA)

2. Canisius University (NY)

3. College of the Holy Cross (MA)

4. Creighton University (NE)

5. Fairfield University (CT)

6. Fordham University (NY)

7. Georgetown University (DC)

8. Gonzaga University (WA)

9. John Carroll University (OH)

10. Le Moyne College (NY)

11. Loyola Marymount University (CA)

12. Loyola University Chicago (IL)

13. Loyola University Maryland (MD)

14. Loyola University New Orleans (LA)

15. Marquette University (WI)

16. Regis University (CO)

17. Rockhurst University (MO)

18. Saint Joseph’s University (PA)

19. Saint Louis University (MO)

20. Saint Peter’s University (NJ)

21. Santa Clara University (CA)

22. Seattle University (WA)

23. Spring Hill College (AL)

24. University of Detroit Mercy (MI)

25. University of San Francisco (CA)

26. University of Scranton (PA)

27. Xavier University (OH)

Prominent Catholic Universities (Non-Jesuit)

1. University of Notre Dame (Congregation of Holy Cross)

2. Catholic University of America (National University of the Catholic Church)

3. Villanova University (Augustinian)

4. DePaul University (Vincentian)

5. University of San Diego (Diocesan)

6. University of Portland (Congregation of Holy Cross)

7. St. John's University (NY) (Vincentian)

8. Seton Hall University (Diocesan)

9. University of Dayton (Marianist)

10. Providence College (Dominican Order, Order of Preachers)

    
    

How do Jesuit colleges differ from Catholic colleges? 

All Jesuit colleges are Catholic, but not all Catholic colleges are Jesuit. The Jesuits (or Society of Jesus) are a specific religious order within the Catholic Church, founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola. They are known for their focus on education, intellectual inquiry, missionary work, and social justice. On the other hand, Catholicism is the broader Christian tradition led by the Pope and made up of many different religious orders, including Jesuits, Franciscans, Benedictines, Dominicans, and many others.

So, while Jesuit schools and institutions are Catholic, they have a unique educational and spiritual approach shaped by Jesuit values, such as critical thinking, service, and "cura personalis" (care for the whole person).

Bottom Line:

• All Catholic schools share faith-based education, ethics, service, and human dignity.

• Jesuit schools add a unique emphasis on intellectual rigor, social justice, personal growth, and global awareness.

The most well-known are affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), including:

• Brigham Young University (BYU) – With campuses in Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii

• Ensign College – Located in Salt Lake City, Utah

• LDS Business College (now part of Ensign College)

These institutions emphasize academic excellence alongside LDS values, including an honor code that aligns with church teachings (e.g., dress standards, no alcohol or tobacco, adherence to religious principles). BYU, in particular, is one of the largest and most recognized religious universities in the U.S.

Jewish Colleges & Universities in the U.S.

There are several Jewish colleges and universities in the U.S., ranging from institutions with strong religious affiliations to those that emphasize Jewish culture, history, and education. Here are some key ones:

1. Yeshiva University (New York, NY) – The largest and most well-known Modern Orthodox university in the U.S.

2. Touro College & University System (Multiple locations) – Offers programs rooted in Jewish values, including law and medical schools.

3. Hebrew Theological College (Skokie, IL) – Focuses on Torah and secular studies.

4. Lander College for Men & Women (Queens, NY) – Part of Touro College, combining religious and secular education.

5. Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Baltimore, MD) – A yeshiva with advanced Talmudic and rabbinical training.

6. Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad / Talmudical Seminary of America (Los Angeles, CA & Queens, NY) – Chabad-Lubavitch affiliated yeshivot.

   
   

Non-Sectarian or Culturally Jewish Colleges

These schools vary in their approach—some integrate religious observance and Torah study into daily life, while others focus more on Jewish cultural identity and education.

1. Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) – A secular university with strong Jewish cultural and academic roots.

2. American Jewish University (Los Angeles, CA) – Focuses on Jewish studies and leadership training.

3. Gratz College (Philadelphia, PA) – Specializes in Jewish education, Holocaust studies, and nonprofit management.

4. Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (Multiple locations) – A seminary for Reform Judaism.

Muslim Colleges & Universities in the U.S.

Islamic Colleges & Universities

1. Zaytuna College (Berkeley, CA) – The first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the U.S., emphasizing Islamic scholarship, Arabic, and the Western intellectual tradition.

2. American Islamic College (Chicago, IL) – Provides degrees in Islamic Studies and Leadership, focusing on interfaith dialogue.

   
   

Choosing a religious college is about more than just academics—it’s about finding a community that aligns with your values, supports your spiritual growth, and prepares you for a meaningful career and life. Whether you’re drawn to the Jesuit commitment to social justice, the rigorous scholarship of Jewish institutions, the service-oriented mission of Christian colleges, or the deep spiritual foundations of Islamic schools, religious colleges offer a unique blend of faith and education. While each institution varies in how it integrates religion into campus life, they all provide opportunities for students to deepen their beliefs, engage in service, and form lasting connections. Ultimately, attending a religious college can be a transformative experience—academically, spiritually, and personally—helping students build a strong foundation for their future.