Crown College

With 25+ accredited on-campus programs (plus online options), Crown leans heavily into ministry and liberal arts—28% of graduates study Liberal Arts and Humanities, followed closely by Religious Education (28%) and Biblical Studies (23%). Business majors account for 19% of degrees. Nearly 90% of faculty hold terminal degrees, and the 69% freshman retention rate (US News) suggests moderate student satisfaction. The curriculum explicitly integrates faith with learning, particularly in online programs that emphasize "ethics" and "human interaction" alongside vocational skills.

Life at Crown revolves around its evangelical Christian identity—the campus promotes a "warm spiritual atmosphere" with filtered WiFi (blocking certain content) and dormitories designed to foster "lifelong friendships." Sixty percent of students live on campus in what Niche reviewers describe as a "tight-knit" but insular environment. A 1978 vision for a worship center still shapes campus architecture, and state-of-the-art classrooms coexist with intentional community-building spaces. Athletics exist but aren't a dominant presence; social life likely centers on chapel and ministry activities.

Graduation rates tell a story of attrition: the 6-year rate sits at 58% (US News), though Crown's own PDF reports a 4-year average of 56%. Only 50% finish in four years. Post-graduation, median earnings hit $48,057 after a decade—slightly below national averages for small colleges. Niche reports $35,840 at the one-year mark, climbing to $46,129 after five years. The 70% retention rate suggests that those who stay past freshman year tend to persist, but the college struggles with initial student commitment.

After aid, Crown's net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $27,196 (BigFuture), with scholarships like the Trustee's ($15,000) and President's ($14,000) significantly reducing the sticker price. The average aid package is $15,664. For families earning under $30K, the net cost drops to $25,998 (Minnesota MyHigherEd). A dedicated net price calculator helps estimate individualized costs, and international students have access to similar aid structures—a rarity for small colleges.

Crown's distinction lies in its unapologetically evangelical niche—few colleges so thoroughly integrate faith into everything from WiFi filters to classroom ethics. The wildly inconsistent acceptance rates?Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (22-66%) suggest it calibrates selectivity based on institutional priorities rather than rankings. While graduation rates lag, the tight-knit dorm culture and ministry-focused academics create a specific type of graduate: one willing to trade some earning potential (evidenced by sub-$50K median earnings) for a values-aligned education. Its scholarships are unusually generous for a school of its size, making it accessible to lower-income students committed to its mission.