Bob Jones University

About Bob Jones University

Bob Jones University operates as a private nonprofit, institutionally accredited university in Greenville, South Carolina. It was founded in 1927 as Bob Jones College, later moved to Greenville, and adopted university status as its academic offerings expanded. The institution’s identity remains explicitly Christian: biblical study, chapel and discipleship are integral to the educational and residential experience rather than optional additions to an otherwise secular curriculum. SACSCOC accredits BJU to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The university’s official academic structure includes the College of Arts and Science; schools of Business, Education and Human Services, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, and Theology and Global Leadership; and BJU Seminary. Current 2026–27 undergraduate and graduate catalogs confirm that the institution remains active and accepting students. Prospective students should treat institutional culture as a central part of the enrollment decision. BJU combines career-oriented and liberal-arts programs with required faith formation and a comparatively structured community environment. That model may appeal to students seeking education within a conservative Christian setting, while applicants wanting a religiously neutral curriculum or less-regulated residential experience should review the catalogs and student policies carefully before committing. The Greenville campus provides face-to-face undergraduate study, graduate education, housing, dining, student organizations, athletics, performances, and academic support in one institutional setting.

For first-year undergraduate admission, BJU asks applicants to submit an application and arrange for an official high-school transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admission. The published academic preparation guidance calls for a graduation date and 16–18 acceptable secondary-school units, including at least ten academic units. Recommended preparation includes English, mathematics, natural science, social studies or history, and foreign language. Applicants admitted with academic deficiencies may be required to complete additional university credits. Transfer applicants must provide official college transcripts. Students educated outside the United States generally need a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA and credit conversion from WES, The Evaluation Company or another NACES-approved service. International applicants must also provide proof of English proficiency; BJU currently lists TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS, GATEWAY and the Duolingo English Test as accepted options. Applicants should consult the live admission page for minimum scores rather than relying on the database, which supplies no verified English-language minimum. For F-1 applicants, the university recommends applying six to nine months before classes. Its current page gives March 1 for fall and August 1 for spring priority consideration, with later completed applications considered on a rolling basis. International applicants submit a $25 application fee, personal statements, school records and church-leader recommendation information. After admission, the process includes a $250 deposit, immunization documentation, financial certification and visa steps. Domestic and international applicants should use their admission portals for individualized requirements.

BJU’s undergraduate portfolio combines two-year and four-year study across the arts, sciences and professional fields. Current offerings include programs in accounting, business administration, computer science, cybersecurity, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, communication, design, music, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, political science, theology and related disciplines. Applicants should verify the exact degree title and concentration on the program page and in the 2026–27 catalog because similarly named subjects can lead to different awards. The academic organization comprises the College of Arts and Science and schools devoted to business, education and human services, fine arts and communication, health professions, and theology and global leadership. BJU Seminary supports advanced theological study. The graduate portfolio includes master’s programs in fields such as communication studies, education, music education, speech-language pathology, sport administration and coaching, biblical studies and ministry, along with doctoral study in ministry and theological studies. Undergraduate education includes the BJU Core, which integrates Bible courses with liberal-arts subjects such as English, communication, history, philosophy and the sciences. Consequently, faith commitments shape general education as well as major study. Some professional programs hold specialized accreditation in addition to institutional accreditation; examples listed by BJU include nursing, engineering and kinesiology. Students pursuing licensure should confirm that the specific curriculum satisfies requirements in the state where they expect to practice. The university also publishes current course listings and separate undergraduate and graduate catalogs, which should be the controlling references for requirements, prerequisites and graduation rules.

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit university founded in 1927
• Institutionally accredited by SACSCOC
• Awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees
• Academic structure includes six principal colleges or schools plus BJU Seminary
• Active 2026–27 undergraduate and graduate catalogs

Student Life & Environment

Student life is closely connected to BJU’s Christian mission and residential model. Societies are a distinctive part of the experience: these student-run groups organize regular meetings, prayer, service, outings and recreational sports. Society officers can hold roles such as president, chaplain, secretary or treasurer, providing a structured avenue for leadership. The university also lists dozens of academic, professional, cultural, ministry and service organizations, including an International Student Organization. Athletic options include Bruins intercollegiate teams in sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, cross-country, golf, track and field, and women’s volleyball. Society sports broaden recreational participation beyond varsity athletes. Campus facilities and programming also support concerts, theatre, visual arts, fitness and student events. Residence-hall life emphasizes accountability and participation in the campus community. Most international students live on campus, and admitted international residents receive room assignments without submitting a separate housing application. University dining includes the Dining Common and other campus venues, although official guidance notes that residence halls and dining services close during certain academic breaks. Students should read current policy materials before enrolling: BJU’s rules address residence, travel, relationships, conduct and religious participation in more detail than at many universities. Those expectations are material to everyday life, not merely statements of institutional heritage.

Location & Surroundings

BJU’s main campus is at 1700 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Greenville, South Carolina. The database classifies the setting as urban, placing students within a regional city rather than an isolated college town. Academic buildings, residence halls, dining, athletic facilities, the Mack Library and performance spaces are concentrated on the university campus. Greenville can offer access to churches, service opportunities, internships, employers and everyday city amenities, but students should assess transportation based on their circumstances. The university charges separately for automobile registration, and international students living on campus may be able to handle routine academic and dining needs without a car. Travel during Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks requires planning because university housing or dining operations may close. Location fit is also connected to institutional culture. Many student activities, ministry opportunities and social networks are campus- or church-centered. Applicants should consider whether they want a residential Christian community embedded in a growing Southern city and should review the current campus map, housing rules and break calendar before making travel or housing commitments.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, BJU lists full-time undergraduate tuition of $23,640 per year for 12–18 credits per semester. Published room and board is $10,870 annually, and the typical program fee is $2,000, producing a stated total of $36,510 before financial aid. Program fees vary by course of study, and extra-credit, health-service, vehicle, music, online-course and other charges may apply. International students are charged an additional $875 covering twelve months of health insurance and other services. Books, travel and personal expenses are estimated separately and are not billed as part of that total. This current official figure should be used instead of the database tuition value of $13,460, which appears to be outdated or differently defined. Students should obtain an individualized aid offer rather than treating the advertised average aid figure as a guarantee. BJU directs applicants to complete the FAFSA and describes institutional, federal, state and private grants and scholarships, along with loans and student employment. Net cost will depend on residency arrangement, program fees and aid eligibility. Career support includes advising, résumé preparation, job-search assistance, a student-and-alumni job board, recruitment events and internship support. BJU reports that 98.3% of its 2024 graduates were employed or attending graduate school, but students should note that this is an institution-reported outcome and review its methodology. The university’s 2026 graduate showcase names students hired by organizations including Prisma Health, Amazon Operations and Shriners Children’s Hospital or accepted by institutions such as Clemson University and Mayo Clinic; these examples demonstrate individual outcomes, not guaranteed placement.