Campus culture plays a significant role in the college experience inside and outside the classroom. If conservative ideals and values are a large part of your identity, you might want to find a school that reflects those values. For this reason, we researched and reviewed the best colleges that lean conservative politically, socially, economically, and sometimes religiously.
- Brigham Young University
- Liberty University
- Cedarville University
- Utah State University
- Grove City College
- Bob Jones University
- Biola University
- Southern Methodist University
- North Greenville University
- Samford University
- Maranatha Baptist University
- Colorado Christian University
- Lee University
- Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Brigham Young University—Idaho
- Angelo State University
- George Fox University
- University of Mississippi
- Texas A&M University
- Anderson University
- Harding University
- Dallas Baptist University
- Oral Roberts University
Why This Matters
If you want conservative and/or religious values to animate your college life, you’ll do well to seek a college that embraces your brand of conservatism. The colleges included in this guide may not self-identify as conservative or conservative-leaning, but they are nonetheless friendly to conservative values and students. Some identify strongly with a particular religion, while others are secular or non-sectarian.
Our Ranking Criteria
To create our list of the most conservative colleges, we researched over 70 colleges and universities across the U.S. and narrowed them down to this list of 23. We based our research on the materials available online on each school’s website. Important criteria included abundant conservative-leaning student groups and conservative values woven into each school’s mission.
The 23 Most Conservative Colleges in America
1. Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a Mormon university. It’s the most prominent religious university and the third-largest private university in the country. Students can elect to take courses on political thought, free market capitalism, and military service, and alcohol and sex outside of marriage are strictly prohibited. BYU has a reputation for being more socially conservative than politically conservative, which entails, for instance, following a strict dress and grooming policy.
- Location: Provo, UT
- Intelligent Score: 99.37
- Average Tuition: $352-$704 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Student Enrollment: 31,411
2. Liberty University
Founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell, Liberty describes itself as an “intimate Christ-centered college.” It is a private evangelical Christian university, and most students attend school remotely. Faith, a relationship with God, and service to others are important inside and outside the classroom. Undergraduates must take three required Bible-studies classes, and the honor code prohibits premarital sex and cohabitation.
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
- Intelligent Score: 98.93
- Average Tuition: $440-$815 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 48,906
3. Cedarville University
Cedarville, a private Baptist university, aims to train students to be bold followers of Christ and Christ-inspired leaders in the world. The whole campus gathers daily for a (required) worship service in the chapel. A minor in Bible Studies is built into every undergraduate program, and the Bible is integrated into every course, meaning that all subjects are taught from a Christian worldview. A strict dress code is enforced.
- Location: Cedarville, OH
- Intelligent Score: 98.11
- Average Tuition: $956-$1,399 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 4,533
4. Utah State University
Utah State University is a public land-grant institution known for fostering conservative values by emphasizing traditional education and community engagement. The school has strong ties to conservative ideologies, focusing on free-market principles and agricultural innovation, reflecting its roots in rural Utah. Its active student groups, such as the College Republicans and Young Americans for Liberty, and leadership programs allow students to engage in policy discussions and community service. Although not officially affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ as Latter-Day Saints, its Utah location makes it receptive to Mormon values, and there is an active Latter-Day Saints Student Association on campus.
- Location: Logan, UT
- Intelligent Score: 96.34
- Average Tuition: $243-735 per credit hour for UT residents; $578-$2,326 for non-residents
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Student Enrollment: 24,835
5. Grove City College
Grove City College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. Formerly affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, it is now nondenominational. Despite the school’s small size, it has close connections to various conservative and libertarian think tanks and contributes to policy research and advocacy. Students must all take a basic humanities core curriculum that includes courses on Western Civilization, Art, Literature, and Biblical Revelation.
- Location: Grove City, PA
- Intelligent Score: 95.65
- Average Tuition: $723 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Student Enrollment: 2,289
6. Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University pairs strong academics with an uncompromising Christian worldview. The school implements entertainment restrictions, dress codes, required events, and “pushes for the Gospel.” Teachers begin class with a prayer. Students spend time reflecting on the Bible in discipleship groups in their dorms. The BJU Core combines liberal arts and Bible studies courses every student must complete. BJU emphasizes service and leadership in the name of Christ.
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Intelligent Score: 95.45
- Average Tuition: $970 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
- Student Enrollment: 2,665
7. Biola University
A private, nondenominational evangelical Christian university, Biola’s motto is “Above all, give glory to God.” The name Biola is derived from the original name of the school, Bible Institute of Los Angeles. The Biola Student Missionary Union (SMU) is the largest student-led mission organization in the United States.
- Location: La Mirada, CA
- Intelligent Score: 94.46
- Average Tuition: $740-2,041 per credit hour
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
- Student Enrollment: 3,499
8. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University (SMU), located in Dallas, Texas, was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church and maintains a strong connection to its conservative Christian roots. The university promotes traditional values by focusing on leadership, service, and ethical decision-making. While offering a range of academic programs, SMU is known for fostering a conservative environment with active faith-based organizations such as Wesley House and Campus Crusade for Christ, making it a choice for students seeking an institution grounded in Christian principles.
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Intelligent Score: 93.57
- Average Tuition: $1,802-$2,484 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 7056
9. North Greenville University
North Greenville University is a private Christian university with deeply conservative roots, founded by and affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Students are required to attend chapel services, and the university has strict policies that prohibit alcohol consumption and encourage students to uphold biblical principles in their personal lives. Its conservative atmosphere is reinforced by a required Christian worldview curriculum, active faith-based organizations, and a commitment to preparing students for lives of service grounded in biblical principles.
- Location: Tigerville, SC
- Intelligent Score: 92.21
- Average Tuition: $625-$800 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Student Enrollment: 1,839
10. Samford University
Samford University, a private Christian institution in Birmingham, Alabama, emphasizes conservative principles rooted in its Baptist heritage. Students must adhere to a conduct code that aligns with Christian values, and campus life includes chapel sessions that may count toward the required convocation credits. Active religious organizations, such as Reformed University Fellowship and Campus Ministries, provide avenues for spiritual growth and community engagement, creating an environment where faith and academics integrate seamlessly.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Intelligent Score: 91.55
- Average Tuition: $982-1,305 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 3,672
11. Maranatha Baptist University
As the name suggests, Maranatha Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist Church. The university aims to help students find their vocation and use their pursuits in the world to serve God. Maranatha hires faculty that self-identify as conservative, independent Baptists, whatever their field of expertise. The curriculum and behavioral guidelines are rooted in tradition and do not tend to change according to contemporary trends.
- Location: Watertown, WI
- Intelligent Score: 91.48
- Average Tuition: $530-$835 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 736
12. Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University, located a few miles outside of Denver, is consistently ranked among the most conservative colleges in the country. CCU hosts the annual Western Conservative Summit, the largest gathering of conservatives in the American West. Students can participate in Centennial Institute programs, such as 1776 Scholars, aimed at conservative political engagement. CCU’s four pillars are faith, family, freedom, and future.
- Location: Lakewood, Colorado
- Intelligent Score: 91.18
- Average Tuition: $230-$1,680 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 7,602
13. Lee University
Lee University, a private Christian institution in Cleveland, Tennessee, upholds strong conservative roots through its affiliation with the Church of God. The university integrates faith into all aspects of campus life, requiring students to attend chapel services regularly, reinforcing its commitment to spiritual development. Conservative student organizations, such as the College Republicans and various religious groups, foster engagement in faith-based initiatives. Lee’s Christ-centered curriculum emphasizes moral integrity and service, shaping students within a traditional Christian worldview.
- Location: Cleveland, TN
- Intelligent Score: 89.25
- Average Tuition: $960 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 3,446
14. Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, a private Christian institution in West Palm Beach, emphasizes conservative values through its commitment to spiritual and moral integrity. Students are required to attend chapel services 24 times each year and sign a lifestyle covenant that includes abstaining from alcohol, premarital sex, and other behaviors inconsistent with Christian teachings. The university fosters a traditional, faith-based environment, integrating these values into academic and campus life.
- Location: West Palm Beach, FL
- Intelligent Score: 89.17
- Average Tuition: $485-$1,630 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 3,027
15. Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho upholds strong conservative values rooted in its affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university enforces a strict Honor Code, which requires students to attend weekly devotionals and abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, premarital sex, homosexuality, and other behaviors contrary to LDS teachings. BYU-Idaho emphasizes spiritual growth, personal integrity, and a traditional, faith-based education within a conservative Christian framework.
- Location: Rexburg, ID
- Intelligent Score: 87.59
- Average Tuition: $200-$400 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Student Enrollment: 43,023
16. Angelo State University
Angelo State University, a public institution affiliated with the Texas Tech University System, emphasizes a strong sense of community, traditional values, and leadership development. While not explicitly aligned with a particular religious or political tradition, the university promotes conservative principles by emphasizing civic responsibility, integrity, and service. With a commitment to academic excellence and fostering a respectful environment, ASU encourages students to contribute positively to their communities and uphold ethical standards.
- Location: San Angelo, TX
- Intelligent Score: 87.52
- Average Tuition: $187 per credit hour for TX residents; $597 for non-residents
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 9,066
17. George Fox University
George Fox University, a private Christian institution rooted in Quaker traditions, emphasizes conservative values by integrating faith and learning. Students are required to complete 15 spiritual life credits each semester and follow a lifestyle covenant that promotes Christian behavior, including abstaining from alcohol and premarital sex. Conservative student groups, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Ratio Christi Club, encourage engagement with faith practices. One hundred percent of the school’s faculty and staff are Christian.
- Location: Newberg, OR
- Intelligent Score: 87.17
- Average Tuition: $1,270 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Student Enrollment: 2,531
18. University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, has historical ties to Southern conservative traditions. Its strong emphasis on community, leadership, and service is reflected in its student organizations, such as the College Republicans. Though it is a public institution, Ole Miss respects traditional values and often reflects conservative principles in its student organizations. The university’s dedication to civic responsibility and leadership contributes to its reputation as a conservative-leaning institution in the South.
- Location: University, MS
- Intelligent Score: 86.65
- Average Tuition: $386 per credit hour for MS residents; $732 for non-residents
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 17,302
19. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M was the first public land grant institution to open in Texas. Its main campus is one of the country’s largest and is home to the George Bush Presidential Library. The majority of students self-identify as Republican or Independent and describe the campus as a whole as conservative or very conservative. Unlike many other schools included in this guide, Texas A&M is not overtly religious and is not a liberal arts college. It is a secular research university that leans politically and socially conservative.
- Location: College Station, TX
- Intelligent Score: 84.53
- Average Tuition: $676-$762 per credit hour for TX residents; $1,608-$1,694 for non-residents
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 57,512
20. Anderson University
Anderson University, a private Christian institution, upholds strong conservative roots and a commitment to faith-based education. The university integrates Christian principles across its curriculum, with the College of Christian Studies offering theology, ministry, and biblical studies programs. These programs emphasize leadership and service within a Christian context, preparing students for ministry, missions, and Christian education roles. They foster spiritual growth alongside academic experience. The campus is alcohol-free, and modest dress is encouraged.
- Location: Anderson, SC
- Intelligent Score: 82.59
- Average Tuition: $425-890 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 3,237
21. Harding University
Like many schools in this guide, Harding is a private Christian liberal arts college. It’s also the largest private university in Arkansas and is associated with the Churches of Christ. Students must follow strict behavioral guidelines, including no partying. Mission trips are popular, and most students self-identify as conservative or very conservative. Harding is home to the American Studies Institute, which celebrates “the fundamental values that made this country great.”
- Location: Searcy, AR
- Intelligent Score: 82.44
- Average Tuition: $843 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 3,523
22. Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is a private Christian university deeply rooted in conservative values and its affiliation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The university emphasizes the integration of faith and learning, offering a Christ-centered education that prepares students for leadership and service. With a strong focus on traditional Christian teachings, DBU requires chapel attendance and offers various ministry opportunities, including a popular Christian Studies major. It reflects its commitment to fostering spiritual growth alongside academic excellence.
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Intelligent Score: 82.10
- Average Tuition: $843 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 2,971
23. Oral Roberts University
An evangelical Christian university, Oral Roberts bears the name of its founder, evangelist Oral Roberts. Students must attend weekly church services, and mission trips are a big part of student life. Most students self-identify as moderate, conservative, or very conservative. Cultivating a relationship with God and spreading the Gospel are big parts of the Oral Roberts experience.
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Intelligent Score: 80.80
- Average Tuition: $1,400 per credit hour
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 4,289
Who Should Attend a Conservative College?
The best candidates to attend a conservative college are people who strongly identify with conservative values and want those values to be the driving force in their college experience. Students with strong religious beliefs, particularly Christian faith, may feel at home at a conservative college that is affiliated with their religious group. Those who have strong opinions about issues such as drinking, premarital sex, and appropriate attire may prefer the campus culture at a conservative college.
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Conservative College?
Attending a conservative college can offer unique benefits for students who value conservative philosophies, close-knit communities, and a structured academic environment. Here are some key advantages:
- Shared Conservative Values. Conservative colleges often emphasize traditional values, including personal responsibility, respect for authority, and a commitment to moral principles. This environment can help students with conservative values feel comfortable and can be a guiding factor in their personal and professional lives.
- Supportive Campus Community. Many conservative colleges foster a close-knit community where students, faculty, and staff share similar values and perspectives. If students practice a specific religion, attending an affiliated school can make them feel comfortable practicing their faith openly.
- Networking Opportunities. An alumni network can benefit students seeking internships, job opportunities, or mentorship from like-minded professionals after graduation. It is true for students at religious or secular schools.
- Assist Conservative Careers. Students interested in careers in politics, law, or business with a conservative orientation may find that attending a conservative college aligns closely with their career goals. The curriculum and values instilled by these institutions often resonate well with organizations and employers in conservative sectors.
- Civic Engagement and Leadership. Many conservative colleges encourage civic responsibility, patriotism, and community involvement. Students often have opportunities to participate in political clubs, community service, and leadership programs that instill a sense of civic duty and prepare them for active societal roles.
- Strengthen Personal Conviction. Students can strengthen their understanding of and commitment to their values by attending a college that aligns with their personal beliefs. The experience can solidify personal convictions and give students a deeper sense of purpose as they navigate their academic and professional journeys.