Taylor University

About Taylor University

Taylor University stands as one of America's premier interdenominational Christian liberal arts colleges, cultivating faithful scholarship and servant leadership from its rural Indiana campus since 1846. This private nonprofit institution in Upland enrolls approximately 1,890 students who seek rigorous academic preparation integrated with intentional spiritual formation. Taylor's educational philosophy affirms that all truth is God's truth, encouraging students to explore knowledge across disciplines while developing the wisdom to apply learning in service to God and neighbor. The rural setting removes urban distractions while fostering the tight-knit community that characterizes campus life and alumni relationships. With an acceptance rate of approximately 76.1%, Taylor maintains selective standards while welcoming students from evangelical Christian backgrounds who demonstrate both academic capability and spiritual commitment. The college's national reputation for academic excellence and intentional faith integration attracts students from across the country and around the world who seek alternatives to both secular education and narrowly sectarian institutions. Taylor's approach to Christian higher education emphasizes engagement with culture rather than withdrawal from it, preparing graduates to influence their professions, communities, and world as salt and light.

Taylor University seeks students who will thrive in its distinctive environment of Christian community and academic rigor, evaluating applicants on academic preparation, faith commitment, and character qualifications. With an acceptance rate of approximately 76.1%, Taylor maintains selective standards while welcoming students who demonstrate genuine desire for the integrated faith and learning experience that characterizes the institution. The admissions process includes review of academic records, standardized test scores, pastoral references, and personal essays that reveal applicants' spiritual journeys and ministry involvement. An essay addressing applicants' relationship with Jesus Christ and understanding of what commitment to Taylor's community lifestyle expectations will mean features prominently in the evaluation. Campus visits provide prospective students with opportunities to experience the distinctive culture, attend chapel, stay overnight in residence halls, and meet current students who can share authentic perspectives. Early Action and Regular Decision options accommodate different timelines and commitment levels. Transfer students from other institutions, including those who may not have previously considered Christian higher education, find welcoming processes for admission and credit evaluation. International recruitment brings students from countries worldwide who seek American Christian higher education. The admissions team provides personalized guidance throughout the application process, reflecting the relational culture that characterizes all aspects of Taylor life.

Taylor University offers over sixty undergraduate majors and programs across the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, fine arts, and professional disciplines, all taught from perspectives that integrate Christian faith with academic inquiry. The curriculum combines rigorous general education requirements with focused study in major disciplines, ensuring graduates possess both breadth of perspective and depth of expertise. Popular programs include business, education, engineering, nursing, psychology, and media communication, each designed to prepare students for careers and graduate study in fields where Christian influence is needed. Faculty members hold advanced degrees from leading institutions and maintain active scholarly agendas while prioritizing teaching and mentorship as primary vocational commitments. The student-to-faculty ratio enables close relationships in which professors know students individually and provide guidance that extends beyond academic advising to include personal and spiritual development. Research opportunities enable students to work alongside faculty on original projects, with results often presented at regional and national conferences. Off-campus programs include study abroad opportunities and the Taylor outreach programs that send students to serve and learn in domestic and international contexts. Honors programs challenge academically talented students with enhanced coursework and special opportunities for intellectual exploration.

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Rural campus with natural surroundings and tight-knit community
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Campus life at Taylor University reflects the intentional Christian community that draws students to this distinctive institution. Residence hall life forms a cornerstone of the Taylor experience, with most undergraduates living on campus throughout their four years in communities designed to foster spiritual growth alongside social connections. Student government, campus ministries, and over eighty student organizations provide outlets for leadership, service, and personal development. The Taylor Trojans compete at the NAIA level, with strong programs across numerous sports that emphasize character development alongside athletic excellence. The annual Silent Night game, where fans remain silent until the tenth point is scored and then erupt in explosive celebration, has become a nationally recognized tradition that exemplifies Taylor's creative spirit. Chapel services gather the entire community three times weekly for worship, teaching, and shared spiritual experience, forming a rhythm that anchors campus life. Discipleship programs, small group studies, and ministry teams provide structured opportunities for spiritual formation. The community lifestyle covenant shapes behavioral expectations, creating an environment distinct from secular campuses while inviting reflection on the relationship between faith and daily choices. Faculty and staff live near campus and participate in community life, modeling integrated Christian living for students they mentor.

Location & Surroundings

Upland, Indiana provides Taylor University with the rural setting that supports the focused, intentional community the institution cultivates. This small town of approximately 3,000 residents in Grant County offers limited distractions from academic and spiritual pursuits while providing essential services within close reach. The surrounding agricultural landscape reflects Indiana's heartland character, with family farms, small towns, and the rhythms of rural life creating an environment markedly different from urban or suburban campuses. Marion, the county seat with its greater resources and employment opportunities, lies just a few miles away. Fort Wayne, Indiana's second-largest city, provides additional cultural and commercial options within easy driving distance. Indianapolis, the state capital with its professional sports, cultural institutions, and airport, sits approximately ninety minutes to the south. The regional cost of living remains modest, helping make education affordable for students from families of varying means. The climate features distinct seasons with cold winters that foster indoor community and warm springs that bring campus life outdoors. Taylor's relative isolation creates a greenhouse environment where students can explore faith and ideas intensively before graduating into the broader world where they will live out their callings.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Taylor University structures its financial aid programs to make Christian liberal arts education accessible to students called to the Taylor experience. Institutional scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership potential, artistic talents, and ministry calling. Need-based grants address demonstrated financial circumstances, and the combination of merit and need-based aid significantly reduces the net cost for most enrolled students. Student employment opportunities provide work experience while helping students meet educational expenses. Some students receive support from sending churches or family networks that invest in Christian higher education. The Career Development Office provides comprehensive support throughout students' Taylor careers, helping them identify vocational interests, develop professional skills, and connect with employment and graduate school opportunities. Internship programs connect students with employers in their fields of interest, with many experiences emerging through alumni networks that span professions and geographic regions. Graduate school advising helps students prepare for and gain admission to advanced programs in law, medicine, business, ministry, and other fields. Taylor alumni have distinguished themselves across virtually every profession, demonstrating that rigorous Christian education prepares graduates for effective service wherever their callings lead. The alumni network provides mentorship, job referrals, and professional connections that benefit recent graduates entering the workforce and experienced professionals seeking new opportunities.