CCU earns recognition from U.S. News & World Report
On the heels of 11 consecutive years of record enrollment, Colorado Christian University has again garnered national rankings across all areas of the University. CCU continues to be recognized as a leading institution for both its academic rigor and its continued growth.
"At CCU, we do believe that a Christian, liberal arts education is the best education available to humanity," said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president. "Through our work we have the opportunity to provide a life-changing, church-building, nation-strengthening, culture-shifting, and career-enhancing experience to thousands of students from all over the world."
For the first time, CCU is now ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top university in the west region. CCU ranks ahead of the majority of the peer institutions within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), of which the University is a member. The University was also ranked a top performer for social mobility in the west region, highlighting its success in enrolling and graduating a large proportion of economically disadvantaged students.
"The U.S. News & World Report rankings are a validation of the hard work and continued effort from faculty and staff," said Dan Cohrs, executive vice president for the University. "It is also a testament to staying true to our mission of providing Christ-centered higher education that transforms students to impact the world with grace and truth. Our extensive experience in providing online instruction and our commitment to providing Christian liberal arts education makes Colorado Christian University unique. It also makes us one of the best values available and these rankings reflect that value."
For the ninth consecutive year, CCU has received an "A" rating from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for the University's traditional undergraduate general education curriculum. The "What Will They Learn Survey" compares more than 1,100 public and private colleges and universities and rates the institutions based on core curriculum requirements. The University's "A" rating on the survey places CCU among the top 2% of colleges and universities in the nation for core curriculum — one of only 23 colleges. CCU is one of only two institutions in the state of Colorado to be ranked in the highest tier.
"We are thrilled that our core curriculum has once again been recognized among the top in the nation," said Dr. Janet Black, interim vice president of Academic Affairs in the College of Undergraduate Studies. "A core, liberal arts education cultivates the skills and knowledge that employers from all sorts of industries are looking for in new hires. Despite a global pandemic, CCU has been privileged to be able to continue to instruct our students in the liberal arts this fall through our high-flex model of learning."
The University has embraced the high-flex model that allows traditional undergraduate students to attend some or all of their courses either in person or remotely. This has enabled the University to maintain and even grow traditional undergraduate enrollment despite a global pandemic.
For the third consecutive year, CCU has been ranked in the top 5 fastest growing master's granting institutions by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The University was ranked fifth overall in percentage growth in the publication's latest rankings, which were released in the August 16, 2020, edition. The rankings, based on growth from 2008-2018, show CCU grew from 2,599 students in fall 2008 to 7,625 students in fall 2018. This represents an increase of 193.4% over the course of a decade.
"CCU Online and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies have been providing world class online education for more than a decade," said Allison Burkhart, vice president of Enrollment for the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. "At CCU Online we are dedicated to helping adults meet their educational goals — whether that is a certificate, undergraduate, or graduate degree to advance or launch their career. Our generous transfer credit program, our commitment to military and veterans' families, and our inclusive approach to adult learners has been the bedrock for our continued growth."
University rankings and accolades can be found online at cccu.edu/about/rankings.