Northwestern ranked among most beautiful Christian college campuses

Northwestern College’s campus has been listed among the most beautiful in recent rankings by ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org (CUO). Northwestern is ranked fourth in CUO’s 25 Most Beautiful Christian College and Universities in the Midwest list for 2017 and 16th in its 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities nationwide list.

The rankings, which include only members or member-eligible institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, are based on the cumulative evaluation of specific criteria. Each school was scored on the continuity of campus, architectural style, signature buildings and natural setting.

“Campus visitors often mention how impressed they are with the attractiveness of Northwestern’s campus,” says Mark Bloemendaal, Northwestern’s dean of enrollment and marketing. “A wonderful mix of well-maintained historic and new buildings—complemented by beautifully landscaped flowers, shrubs and trees—makes a great first impression.”

More than $40 million has been spent on construction and renovation projects on Northwestern’s 100-acre campus since 2003. Some of the most recent improvements include the addition of the $14 million DeWitt Learning Commons; the renovation of the former library into Ramaker Center, which now houses various student-serving offices; and the Ron and Peg Juffer Athletic Fieldhouse. The next addition to the campus will be a $24.5 million natural and health sciences facility, which is planned to be completed by the fall of 2018.

The CUO rankings highlight Northwestern’s attractive grounds and vicinity to residential neighborhoods, local parks and eating areas. The website also mentions impressive facilities that surround the campus green, including Zwemer Hall, Northwestern’s administration building, which was built in 1894 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Credit for the campus’s beauty is due to a creative, dedicated and hard-working maintenance staff and to the many supporters of the college who have invested in capital projects and the annual operations of the college,” says Bloemendaal. 

ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org is an independent online resource for students and families researching Christian higher education. The site publishes rankings and reviews of colleges and universities across the nation, information about scholarships and financial aid, and other materials for families and students pursuing a distinctly Christian education.