Eight Myths About Christian Universities - and the Truth Students Discover at GU
Published: April 03, 2026
Author: Lydia Cahill
As a Christian, attending a faith-based institution was at the top of my list of criteria. My dad formerly worked at a Christian college; my childhood memories are filled with having college students over to our house and walking around campus.
I had an idea of what being around a Christian college meant, but by attending Greenville University, I have found that being immersed in a Christian university is a completely new experience. I have made close friendships faster than I ever thought possible and I have deepened my faith. However, for students new to Christianity or from other faith backgrounds, the benefits of attending a Christian university may not be immediately apparent—such colleges may even seem daunting or unwelcoming.
My familiarity with Christian education growing up and my experience at Greenville University showed me that some common assumptions prospective students have about Christian universities don’t always reflect reality. What follows are eight common myths — and what lived experience at GU reveals instead.
Eight Benefits of Christian Universities:
1. Close-Knit Community. A major concern of students from other religious backgrounds is that Greenville will force them to embrace Christianity through TWE, Vespers, and other spiritual formation opportunities. However, many students find that these events offer them new perspectives and opportunities for fellowship.
The Wednesday Experience speakers come from diverse backgrounds and regions of the country, giving every student a chance to connect with a speaker they can identify with. At Vespers, the message comes from fellow students!
Additionally, various small groups cater to the religious comfort of all students. Board Games and God, Baking and Bibles, Anime Devos, Acts Bible Study, Conversations Science and Christianity, Living the Letters (of Peter and John), and Granito de Mostaza are a few examples of the small groups offered this spring.
2. Scholarship Opportunities. When deciding whether to attend a public or private institution, many students assume that private universities are more expensive than public ones. However, at Greenville University, financial aid is available to all students. When students apply, they automatically receive a scholarship of $18,000 to $22,000, based on their academic merit, need, and character they have demonstrated. Greenville even offers a scholarship for attending a campus visit!
Finally, the university offers many scholarship programs (Almira Leadership Scholarship, Richard Stephens Character Scholarship, Ish Smith Overcomer Scholarship, and McAllaster Honors Scholarship) that provide additional financial support to students.
Each Fall and Spring, prospective students can compete in Scholarship Day through their chosen program for a full-tuition scholarship.
3. Rigorous Academics. Greenville University challenges students to engage in high-level critical thinking. Optional lectures throughout the semester allow students to meet experts with a lifetime of experience on various topics.
A low faculty-to-student ratio allows students to get the support they need and develop close relationships with professors. Additionally, Greenville University focuses on experiential, hands-on learning, giving students real-world skills in their chosen field before they graduate.
4. Transferring Made Easy. With a dedicated team of admissions counselors, every transfer student is valued and their credits maximized. Greenville University works with community colleges to identify equivalent general education courses, accepts AP scores, and even evaluates major-specific courses from other universities, allowing students to transfer in as many credits as possible.
Transfer students are not pushed to the margins but are embraced by the Greenville community.
5. Lifestyle Statement vs. Statement of Faith. At Greenville University, students sign a Lifestyle Statement rather than a Statement of Faith. What is the difference? A Statement of Faith requires students to be professing Christians; a Lifestyle Statement leads students to lives guided by Christian moral values and principles.
Students are not forced into faith; instead, they are encouraged to serve, care for one another, “further their academic achievement, personal development, and spiritual growth” (Lifestyle Statement).
6. Inclusivity. Although Greenville University is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, it offers programs for students from all denominations. A list of local churches and their denominational affiliations is emailed to the student body each semester and posted in the library.
Rather than shying away from differences, students engage in meaningful conversations with one another about the nuances of their faith, coming to understand one another rather than creating division.
7. Real-Life Ready. For students looking to expand and build upon their faith, there are still many opportunities!
Classes challenge students to hold their beliefs with integrity and to examine multiple sides of many theological issues. Along with this, students are invited to build fellowship with other believers—friendships that will support them in their faith throughout their lives.
8. Welcoming the non-Christian. As a Christian university, Greenville University follows Jesus’ teaching that we are called to love all people—including students who do not identify as Christians. Our goal is to ensure that every student is seen, known, and inspired, regardless of their faith identity.
Greenville University is a welcoming community for all students, but stands unashamed to ask all students to live and love like Jesus–even if they have yet to profess faith. No matter where students come from, GU provides rigorous academics, financial aid, real-world skills, and opportunities to impact the world.
