The University of Notre Dame in Indiana was founded by the Catholic church in 1842. The university says in its mission statement that it promotes academic discipline while also spotlighting injustice and oppression. Notre Dame is a competitive, private university that aims to unite intellectual thought with Catholic ideals.
Oberlin College is a Presbyterian university that was founded in 1833 in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin is a very liberal college, attracting many students with artistic and creative talents. The school is also extremely selective and academically rigorous. It has a history of pursuing social justice causes and was a center of activity for the abolitionist movement.
Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, California. Pepperdine is affiliated with the Church of Christ and maintains a vital link to the church, but students are not required to become members of the church. The college mission emphasizes respect for all people, regardless of faith.
DePaul University is one of the most diverse private colleges in America. DePaul is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the city of Chicago and has 25,000 students. Although DePaul is nominally Catholic, the university prides itself on equal access for all students regardless of religion, and emphasizes learning about global cultures.
Eastern Mennonite University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and was founded in 1917. Eastern Mennonite is notable because it has a department for peacebuilding, which provides internships with social justice organizations such as Amnesty International. The university also promotes environmental sustainability.
St. Olaf College is a Lutheran university located in Northfield, Minnesota. St. Olaf was founded in 1874 and has a total enrollment of 3,099 students. St. Olaf is a liberal arts college and is highly competitive. All students must take a course called The Bible in Culture and Community as part of an overall integration of spiritual values and daily life.
Earlham College is located in Richmond, Indiana and was founded by Quakers in 1847. The college was founded on Quaker principles of social justice and respect for religious diversity, and still promotes those values today.