One in seven Christian universities has abortion industry ties

One in seven Christian universities has ties to the abortion industry, the 2025 Christian Schools Project conducted by Students for Life of America found.

The study examined 725 colleges and universities described as “affiliated with Christ-centered denominations that publicly claim a historical Christian foundation,” according to “Beliefnet.” Of those studied, 114 were either directly involved with Planned Parenthood or had an indirect relationship with the abortion industry.

The study evaluated schools by reviewing their school websites for what researchers considered infractions. These include internships at abortion providers; advertising-related events or volunteer opportunities at Planned Parenthood; listing Planned Parenthood as a health or pregnancy resource; using abortion industry materials in classes; or expressing direct support for abortion. United Methodist-affiliated schools committed the largest share of infractions.

Forty-seven schools received failing grades, while 66 received an A+. American University in Washington, D.C. had the highest number of infractions at 34. The study did note improvements in some institutions since the last survey, such as Villanova University, which went from an F to B.

Christian colleges across Kansas and Missouri did well in the rankings.  Most of the Missouri and Kansas schools participate in the annual Midwest Christian College Expo organized by Metro Voice.

Kansas rankings:

The report says Kansas had no schools with infractions. It also lists several Kansas schools among the A/A+ schools, including Benedictine College, Central Christian College of Kansas, Donnelly College, Kansas Christian College, Kansas Wesleyan University, Newman University, Ottawa University, and Southwestern College.

Missouri rankings:

The report lists Lindenwood University as A+; Avila University, Hannibal-LaGrange University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mission University, Missouri Baptist University, Missouri Valley College, Rockhurst University, Spurgeon College, Southwest Baptist University, and Westminster College as A schools; and Saint Louis University as a D school with infractions.

Researchers warn that Christian colleges’ associations with the abortion industry are a betrayal to Christian parents looking to send their children to schools that supported their values.

“For parents, alumni, donors and constituents of faith-based campus life and communities, an expectation that colleges and universities bearing the name ‘Christian’ uphold Christian values is central to their investment in those institutions,” the report said. “Most significant is the trust given to schools for instructing the next generation of leaders in the community.

“If committed constituents of a school cannot even depend on those bearing the name of Christ to stand for life, how can they expect the schools to shape future generations according to scripture?”

–Alan Goforth