Alabama, nestled in the heart of the country’s Deep South, is home to some of the nation’s most openly religious citizens. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found 74% of Alabama residents consider their religious beliefs and practices very important in their lives – far exceeding the national average of 56%. More than half of the state’s residents attend a religious service at least once a week, and 85% of residents attend at least multiple times a year. The majority of Alabama’s residents (82%) identify themselves as Protestant Christians, either evangelical (49%), mainline (15%), or Historically Black (18%), which is much more than the 51% of Americans nationwide who consider themselves Protestant.

Education in Alabama

To coincide with the state’s strong religious leaning, there are many Christian colleges in Alabama. The state’s Christian schools offer Christian learning environments to students of all types, from those who want small rural schools to those who want larger, more urban schools. Alabama is home to private colleges and universities affiliated with many Christian faiths, including Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic. Alabama’s Christian colleges and universities offer degree programs in many fields, from business and engineering to ministry and Christian counseling.

Many Alabama Christian colleges and universities are accredited by either the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Both organizations are recognized by the government as being able to provide an education that meets standards of high quality and fiscal responsibility. While accreditation should not be the only factor in deciding the right Christian college to attend, it is an important one.

Working in Alabama

Students who plan to stay in Alabama after graduation may want to pursue some of the state’s most popular career fields, most of which require a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to the state, its “Hot 40″ in-demand occupations between 2010 and 2020 include medical and public health social workers; management analysts; mechanical engineers; network and computer systems architects and administrators; and public relations specialists. However, thanks to the state’s diversity in industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and service, many degree fields will be helpful in the state’s current and future economy.

Alabama has recently seen a large increase in college and university enrollment. Between 2005 and 2010, colleges in Alabama saw a 27.7% increase in enrollment, placing the state tenth nationwide in overall enrollment increases.

The list below offers more information to help you choose the Alabama Christian college that’s right for you.