With colleges and universities starting their fall semesters, our first list for September is the 50 largest Christian colleges and universities in the MinistryWatch 1000 database. This list should not be interpreted as a list of recommended ministries. They are ranked by total revenue, and not by effectiveness, financial efficiency, or any other measure.
The information in this list is based on database information as of August 27, 2025.
Grand Canyon University once again tops the list with $1.87 billion in total revenue. Not far behind is Liberty University with $1.8 billion. The top 10 colleges remained largely unchanged, with Azusa Pacific University falling out of the top 10 to No.14, and Lipscomb University rising from No.12 last year to No.10 this year.
- New additions to the list include Bob Jones University (BJU) at 42 and LeTourneau University at No.44.
- Two of the largest jumps up the list include Grove City, which moved from 38 to No.20, and Taylor University, which moved from No.33 to No.18.
- College of the Ozarks fell the most on the list from 30 last year to No.41 this year.
- Two schools that fell off the list this year are Emmanuel College, which was 38 last year, and Fresno Pacific University, which was No.50 last year.
- Also note that Mississippi Christian University was on the list last year as Mississippi College, but recently changed its name.
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The total number of colleges and universities in the MinistryWatch 1000 database is 138, with total revenue exceeding $16.6 billion.
In the last year, MinistryWatch began gathering data about government grants ministries received as reported on their IRS Form 990s. The total government grants for all the colleges and universities in the database is $264 million. The largest recipient of grants was California Baptist University at $43.7 million, nearly 10% of its total revenue.
To learn more about these institutions, click on the college’s name and read the complete MinistryWatch profile about this organization.
If you would like to know more about our Financial Efficiency Rating, click here. If you would like to know more about our Transparency Grades, click here. To learn what is included in the Donor Confidence Score, click here.