With a student population of more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is one of the largest Catholic schools in the Untied States. It is also the largest private school in Chicago. Although DePaul was founded on Catholic principles, it offers degree programs in several non-religious subjects, ranging from education to computer science to law. Lexington College is another Catholic school in Chicago that offers a wide variety of degree programs. The women's college offers primarily hospitality and culinary degree programs. The Catholic Theological Union at Chicago is different from the first two schools; it prepares students to move into positions of leadership within the Catholic Church.
Chicago is also home to several Jewish colleges. One of these is Spertus College, which offers degree programs related to community services and Jewish studies. Many of its degree programs in public programming are non-denominational. Telshe-Yeshiva Chicago, on the other hand, is a Jewish Talmudical and Rabbinical school. Its goal is to provide Jewish students with a strong understanding of the Torah and the Talmud. It offers a 5-year undergraduate program as well as a 6-year graduate program.
Some colleges in Chicago are not founded with the ideals of any one denomination, but instead provide students with a place in which to study the general principles of Christianity. One of these schools is the Christian Life College, which is located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The school prepares students for a life in the ministry and offers degree programs in subjects such as biblical studies, Christian education, theology, music ministry and youth ministry. Trinity Christian College is another Christian school that offers degree programs for church and ministry leaders. It also offers programs for other professions, such as accounting, business and social work.
There are several other different specific types of religious colleges in the Chicago area. One of these is the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, which prepares students to become leaders in the Lutheran faith. It offers degree programs such as a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Ministry. Meanwhile, the McCormick Theological Seminary is a similar seminary that prepares students for roles in the Presbyterian faith. It offers Doctor of Ministry programs as well as master's level programs in urban ministry, theological studies, divinity and discipleship development.