Engineering is a popular major in the United States, and while there are numerous Christian colleges that offer engineering programs, not all of them include specializations such as civil engineering. This article will provide an overview of civil engineering majors at five Christian colleges, their denominations, tuition rates, and other relevant facts.
School Comparison
The Christian schools highlighted in this article are spread throughout the country. Compare their location, tuition, and denominations in the table below.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeTourneau University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Interdenominational | Longview, Texas | $33,490 |
| Calvin University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Christian Reformed Church | Grand Rapids, Michigan | $38,240 |
| University of Notre Dame | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Catholic | Notre Dame, Indiana | $58,843 |
| California Baptist University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Southern Baptist | Riverside, California | $37,018 |
| Gonzaga University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Roman Catholic (Jesuit) | Spokane, Washington | $48,470 |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Description of Christian Colleges with Civil Engineering Programs
The variety in Christian colleges offering civil engineering programs is big, either by size, unique courses, or specific focus on students' spiritual growth. Read on for more detailed information about the schools listed in this article.
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is well known for its engineering and engineering technology programs. At the undergraduate level, LETU offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering program with more than five concentrations, including biomedical, electric, civil, and mechanical. Its civil engineering concentration has a focus on structural engineering and water resources engineering. Spiritually, the school guides its students by starting each class with prayer time, offering Sunday prayer services, and organizing mission trips. The NCES reports that LeTourneau had 3,209 students (2,991 of which are in undergraduate programs), a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1, and an overall 64% graduation rate as of fall 2015.
Calvin University
Calvin University offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering program with a concentration in civil and environmental engineering. Its program focuses on large-scale public works and skills like designing hydraulics and traffic systems. The school prides itself on being mentioned in the 2019 Fiske Guide to Colleges as one of the top 20 small schools with strong engineering programs. Calvin College offers opportunities for worship participation on and off campus, such as student-led Bible studies and access to many local churches. According to NCES fall 2021 statistics, Calvin College had 3,257 students (3,068 of which are in undergraduate programs), a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1, and an overall 77% graduation rate.
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is the largest university on this list, with 13,139 students (8,973 of which are undergrads) in fall 2021, according to NCES. It also has a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and an overall 96% graduation rate. Its undergraduate civil engineering program is split up in two parts. The first two years include general engineering and science courses, and the last two years are dedicated to a more hands-on approach specific to civil engineering. The university reports that students' involvement in the school's Catholic service opportunities is high: in the course of their undergraduate program, more than 80% of students participate in some way. The university also offers master's and doctoral degrees in the civil engineering specialty.
California Baptist University
California Baptist University offers a diverse civil engineering program that covers seven specialized areas: transportation, construction management, environment, water resources, structures, soil mechanics and foundation, and surveying. When students want to specialize in any of these areas, they can add two elective courses to their curriculum. CBU is the second largest and most diverse school on this list with 11,489 students (8,252 undergraduate), of which 35% are white (the other four schools are predominantly white by 65% or more), according to fall 2021 NCES figures. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1 and the overall graduation rate is 57%. The school intends to provide ample opportunities for students to develop spiritually, such as chapel services and discipleship ministries, while completing an academic program.
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University's civil engineering undergraduate program offers students a science and engineering foundation coupled with a specialization in environmental, structural, transportation, geotechnical, or water resources engineering. For fall 2021, the school had 7,381 students (4,986 undergraduates), an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and an 85% overall graduation rate, according to the NCES. Gonzaga also provides housing on campus to the Della Strada Jesuit Community, a Roman Catholic religious order. The school emphasizes its humanistic heritage and Jesuit beliefs by promoting diversity and inclusion through its University Multicultural Education Center (UMEC), LGBT Resource Center, and Center for Global Engagement.
