LeTourneau University

Engineering reigns supreme here—LeTourneau is ranked the #1 Christian engineering program in Texas by U.S. News, with a 95% graduate placement rate. Students choose from 140+ programs, including standout majors in aviation, clinical psychology, and business. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio supports hands-on learning, whether in aerodynamics labs or theology seminars. Arts and sciences offerings span computer science to criminal justice, but the vibe is decidedly technical: think more CAD software than poetry workshops.

Expect a conservative, relationship-driven campus where dorm floors develop their own cultures (think bonding activities over parties) and scooters outnumber cars. Mandatory chapel attendance and strict gender-segregated dorm visitation rules reflect the evangelical ethos, but students praise the tight-knit community. The walking campus—just 162 acres—means everything is a 5-minute trek, though some grumble about the 'terrible' social scene circa 2012. Recent students highlight faculty support and niche hobbies like longboarding between classes.

A 61% graduation rate places LeTourneau squarely in the national average, but engineering grads outperform with near-universal job placement. Alumni earn $36,427 on average one year out—modest compared to elite tech schools but strong for a regional Christian college. The university touts its College of Distinction designation (2023-24) as proof of undergraduate teaching quality, though humanities majors may face slimmer local job markets than their aeronautics peers.

At $38,290 sticker price, LeTourneau isn't cheap, but 57% of students receive aid—dropping the average net cost to $27,007. Institutional grants average $18,946, with federal aid adding $6,276 more. The financial aid office pushes transparency, offering a [scholarship calculator](https://www.letu.edu/offices/administration-finance/financial-aid/scholarship-calculator.html) to estimate net costs. Pell Grant recipients get $5,580 on average, making this a viable option for lower-income students committed to its faith-based mission.

LeTourneau is a rare breed: a Bible Belt engineering school where welding labs share a campus with theology lectures. Its 95% job placement rate for engineers rivals secular tech institutes, while mandatory chapel and dorm curfews preserve its evangelical identity. For students who want SpaceX internships without Ivy League pretension—and don’t mind scootering past prayer groups—it’s a pragmatic pick.