INTRODUCTION
As a Christian, stewarding your academic giftings and your time in this season of college searches and higher education is essential.
One of the best ways to invest in your present spiritual life and your future Christian walk is to attend a Christian university.
Choosing a college environment that matches your convictions and encourages you in the truth of God’s Word is critical, especially in an age where the culture says that truth is subjective.
Let this page serve as your guide in choosing an institution where you can integrate your faith with your college degree – a choice that will equip you to integrate your faith with whatever vocation the Lord calls you to in life.
Understanding the value of a Christian education begins with understanding the benefits of getting a college degree.
With so many resources available online, many students may wonder: Why should I go to college? We’ve considered and answered some common student questions below, starting with whether you should attend college.
Are you interested in learning more about community at Cairn University?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Why Should I Go to College?
2. What is a Christian Education?
3. What are the Unique Values of a Christian Education?
4. Questions to Ask When Visiting Colleges
5. Cairn University: A Biblical Foundation for Walking a Different Path
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
THE PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS
Why Should I Go to College?
Between meeting new people and learning new things, college can be a very exciting experience. But you might be on the fence about these benefits, especially if tuition, room and board, and other expenses feel daunting to you. There’s been a debate in recent years about the value of college, but the pros of pursuing a college education far outweigh the cons.
Even if you don’t know exactly what you want to do, here are seven reasons why going to college might be right for you.
It’s no secret: A college degree opens up many job opportunities. While you may be able to find an occupation that doesn’t require a degree, most employers see a college degree as a prerequisite and as a sign that you’ve invested in your learning and professional development. Plus, having a degree can help secure a higher salary in entry-level positions than someone without a college degree.
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Some students hesitate to invest in college because they fear they won’t use their degrees in their careers. However, just possessing a degree is one of the most important and necessary steps to advancing your professional life and learning valuable life skills. Many degrees have transferable soft skills, so you can apply what you’ve learned to various industries, even if it’s one you didn’t explicitly study in college. In addition to the practical skills you’ll learn in college, many universities support their students with networking opportunities. Your professors and internship advisors will have professional connections that can help you start your career after graduation.
The “college experience” is a term that many use to describe students’ time in university, but the meaning of this phrase can be vague. However, the broad definition of the term clearly represents how customizable and exciting new college experiences can be. For many students, it’s their first time living alone and having more agency over their schedules. From choosing classes to late-night food runs with friends (and all the coffee shops in between), college is chock-full of new experiences for students. It’s a place to explore who you are in a new way and make friends from different backgrounds and majors than your own.
Time management goes hand-in-hand with these new experiences. In college, you’ll be free to spend your time how you want. While some students find it an easy transition, others may experience growing pains adjusting to balancing classes with recreational activities. College campuses are safe spaces to work out the wrinkles in time management and discover your best schedule. College will teach you to prioritize things like classes and coursework and leave time to rest and make memories with your friends.
College is a great place to make lifelong friends. From your roommate to a classmate you find you have a lot in common with, impactful friendships are bountiful at college. The friendships you forge in college should encourage you in Christ and lead you toward pursuing Him more.
Check out our advice for high school graduates going to college.
You’re also developing other relationships in your college years, and these can lend themselves to professional connections. Your professors at college have industry connections you may not know about, and getting closer to them and completing exemplary work are great ways to set yourself up for networking when you graduate.
As a Christian, college is a critical time in your life. Having the freedom to study what you’re interested in allows you to get specific training and education in areas that God has gifted you with. Refining those skills will equip you to serve Him well in your life and career. One of the best ways to make the most out of your college experience as a Christian is to pursue a Christian education.
SCHOOLING ROOTED IN TRUTH
What is a Christian Education?
A Christian education comes from an established and intentional biblical environment. It is a type of schooling rooted in truth and centered around how Christians can best apply their gifts to service for the kingdom.
SCHOOLING ROOTED IN TRUTH
Chrisitan colleges provide students with learning opportunities steeped in their beliefs. In this environment, you’ll still study your program of interest. But your studies will be framed through a biblical lens that will equip you to approach your current coursework and future career with a holistically Christian perspective. Taking the time to grapple with what you’re learning and discovering how to apply a Christian worldview will prepare you to keep the faith as you enter the workforce.
Christian colleges set themselves apart from other university experiences with their guidelines for student life, such as community covenants and specific spiritual engagement requirements. During this crucial time in your life and this critical time in history, gaining a biblical foundation is essential. Whether you grew up attending church and are familiar with Biblical truth, or it’s a new part of your life, everyone seeking to live for Christ can benefit from investing in Christian education.
Attend an event at Cairn to see our commitment to Christian education in action.
UNIQUE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS
What are the Unique Values of a Christian Education?
The intentionality of Christian education lends itself to many unique values for students seeking more out of their college experience. Here are a few of our favorite examples of the benefits of Christian education.
Read our blog on what to know about faith-based colleges and universities.
Blog Post
What to Know About Faith-Based Universities
There’s a myriad of benefits to attending a faith-based university, but as a prospective student or parent, where do you start?
Humanity was built for community. Engaging in Christian community is vital throughout the Christian life. From small groups at church to close personal friends who encourage you to seek Christ, having accountability and encouragement from other believers in your life is tantamount.
Likewise, James 5:16 encourages Christians to confess their sins to one another and to pray for one another so that they may be encouraged and held accountable in their walk. The Bible is full of many more encouragements to be involved in community and to live in the light.
Christian colleges are built for this type of community, as they build intentionality and opportunities for meeting other Christians into their programs and student life initiatives. Their environments also lend themselves to building Christian communities, as Christian colleges are often smaller than traditional universities, so the student body naturally becomes closer. This closeness also paves the way for a more intentional community in residence halls and classes, allowing the benefits of a Christian community to extend to all aspects of college life.
The commitment Christian colleges make to a Biblical foundation gives students the unique opportunity to study the Word intentionally and academically. Studying the Bible in a focused environment during such a formative time in your life will set you up for success and a stronger desire to spend time in the Word later in your life.
Many Christian colleges have a set amount of bible, religion, and theology courses. This amount can vary greatly depending on the school, and some schools only require majors explicitly rooted in ministry, like pastoral and theology students, to take the courses.
However, Cairn University integrates bible and theology courses into every student’s academic plan, so that they have the benefit of studying the Word and its application intentionally. Learning about scripture in an academic setting enhances your understanding and application of it, both in life and in future learning.
Learning how the Bible impacts your courses will teach you to look for ways to integrate the Bible into your life outside of college. Many Christian universities prioritize biblical integration in their courses and structuring the university’s mission statement. Through this intentional inclusion, you’ll see a real-world example of how the university addresses academic pursuits and cultural issues according to biblical truths, and you’ll be equipped to do the same throughout your life.
Your college years are a great time to seek out wise men and women who can speak into your life and help your Christian walk. Chrisitan colleges are a great place to encounter these mentors. From RAs and friends to coaches and professors, even members of whatever local church you choose to join as a student, these mentors will meet you where you are and encourage you in your relationship with the Lord. Opening yourself up to the wisdom of those who have walked through what you’re currently experiencing is an invaluable gift. Their encouragement will remind you that walking with Jesus through all seasons of your life is possible and worthwhile.
COME PREPARED
Questions to Ask When Visiting Colleges
The intentionality of Christian education lends itself to many unique values for students seeking more out of their college experience. Here are a few of our favorite examples of the benefits of Christian education.
Explore our top 5 questions to ask admissions counselors on college visits.
Blog Post
5 Questions to Ask a College Admissions Counselor
Many students are afraid of calling colleges. Don’t be! Admissions counselors and college representatives are there to answer your questions and to help you…
| Chapel: many Christian institutions have regular chapels for their students to worship and study the Word together. Ask the campus you’re visiting about their chapels and what chapel requirements are like for their students. Learn about Cairn’s University Ministry Center |
| Bible Studies: In intentional Christian communities, it’s common for student or faculty-led Bible studies to start. These allow smaller groups of students to meet together and study the Word and discuss how to apply it to their lives tangibly. |
| Community Covenants: Christian colleges often have community covenants for their students. These documents ensure that every student feels safe and considered within the community, regardless of background. Often these covenants include guidelines for romantic relationships, social conduct, and the university’s guidelines for alcohol and other substances. Setting a biblical standard for how students live in the community helps students know the conduct expectations. It can provide structure in a time of significant change in each individual’s life. |
| Service Opportunities: One of the privileges of living and studying in a Christian environment is the opportunity to serve together. These opportunities can come from international mission trips, local service projects, and more. Many schools require Christian service as a part of the academic plan to encourage students to go beyond themselves and apply what Biblical truths of selflessness they’re learning. |
| Residence Life: A prime opportunity for Christian community comes through residence life. Living with roommates and in residence halls provides students an immersive experience in living out their Christian walk through friendships, conflict resolution, and opportunities to lift one another up in prayer. |
Local Church Involvement: Christian universities foster a healthy community by encouraging students to participate in local churches. By attending church regularly and through volunteering in ministry opportunities at church, students can interact with believers in different life phases and see how the body of Christ lives together. It’s also vital for students to stay in the Word in a church setting, not just in their academic courses. |
It’s important to know what the universities you’re visiting stand for and how they encourage their students to live out their mission statement. Knowing the university’s mission statement will also give you a better understanding of how it integrates its beliefs into every aspect of its operations, from classes to chapels and beyond.
Take Cairn University’s mission statement as an example:
“Cairn University exists to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character.”
This statement shows how Cairn incorporates its mission of preparing students through their education and in their communities. Students receive a solid biblical foundation through their courses, and they also invest in professional development tactics so that they can be excellent workers in whatever industry the Lord leads them to.
One of the best questions to ask Christian universities is how their professors integrate Biblical truth into their courses. Asking about the university’s core curriculum for your program of interest can help you see which classes to expect and which professors you can meet with.
If you can meet directly with professors in your major, do it! Asking them about their programs and courses can give you an idea of what classes are like. It’s even better to sit in on a class, so see if the college you’re visiting offers that!
We love letting visiting prospective students experience classes at Cairn!
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College is when many students learn how to make their faith their own in an environment with more independence. This step of spiritual growth is crucial, and while individual, universities can have a massive part in providing students with opportunities to explore their relationship with the Lord.
Some of these opportunities include counseling, mentorships, interactions with RAs, bible studies, and other places where students can ask more profound questions about their faith that they might have.
Beyond the biblical integration in your general education courses, what sort of theological and biblical education do all majors engage in? It’s important to see if the level of Bible courses is what you’re looking for, as some universities have more or less than others.
Sometimes college costs are the biggest roadblock to pursuing a Christian education. But did you know that smaller and private universities can offer more financial aid and scholarships than larger schools? It’s true! So don’t let the sticker price of your university scare you. Instead, speak with the financial aid office to learn about your options for financing your degree.
THE PROS OUTWEIGH THE CONS
Cairn University: A Biblical Foundation for Walking a Different Path
Cairn University’s mission to educate students in a Christian environment so that they can graduate and impact their communities is fulfilled through its commitments to Christian community, its opportunities for mentorship, and its intentional biblical integration throughout all academic programs.
Students at Cairn University must fulfill a set amount of Bible and theology courses, attend chapels throughout the semester, and complete service hours in the local church and other capacities.
The staff and faculty at Cairn University are committed to students’ individual spiritual growth, and they often engage with students through mentorships, meeting for meals, praying with them, and more.
We hope you’ve learned a lot about the importance of choosing a Christian university for your college education and how important it is to integrate your Christian walk with your education and make your walk your own during this crucial time in your life.
Attend an event at Cairn to see our commitment to Christian education in action.
