•AVERAGE: 69
Eastern University is a private, Christian institution of higher education located in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia on a scenic, 114 acre, suburban main campus. Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA, Eastern University began in 1925 when it was founded as the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary for the purpose of creating a theologically conservative seminary within the American Baptist Churches denomination. The collegiate division of the school began in 1932 and in 1952 the school was chartered as a four-year college. By 1972 the school became known as Eastern College and in 2005 achieved university status; in 2005 the seminary portion of the institution was renamed Palmer Theological Seminary.
Academic Programs
Eastern University is “dedicated to the preparation of undergraduate, theological and graduate students for thoughtful and productive lives of Christian faith, leadership and service.” The University’s vision is to be an institution that is dedicated to ideas, inquiry, and the development of people of faith who will enhance the quality of society and the church.” Eastern University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been so since 1954.Eastern University is offers a wide range of academic through its several colleges and seminary. The College of the Arts and Sciences offers the most undergraduate majors out of all the colleges with over 15 undergraduate programs and nearly 20 minors in the areas of the sciences, humanities, and performing arts. Other colleges within Eastern University include The College of Business and Leadership; The College of Education; The College of Health and Social Sciences; The College of Theology and Ministry; and The Templeton Honors College. In addition to these, the University also consists of the Palmer Theological Seminary as well as Esperanza College, the University’s junior college which operates in partnership with Nueve Esperanza, Inc. for the purpose of reaching Philadelphia’s Latino community.
Student Life
Eastern University has a total enrollment figure of over 3,500, including more than 2,000 undergraduate students. Student housing is offered on campus through the University’s more than half a dozen residence halls which provide accommodations for well over 1,000 students. Eastern University is home to a number of activities and ministries which provide opportunity for students to connect with one another outside of the classroom, develop valuable leadership skills, and serve in the community. These include Habitat for Humanity, touring drama and choir groups, prison ministry, homeless ministry, U.S. and overseas missions trips. Eastern University’s freshman students have contributed nearly 9,000 hours annually in service projects such as these.As an NCAA Division III school, most of Eastern University’s varsity athletic teams, known as the Eastern Eagles, compete in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Eastern University’s varsity sports include men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and track and field as well as women’s basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and track and field. Eastern University boasts several athletic facilities which are available for students’ use including a gymnasium, tennis courts, pool, multi-purpose baseball field, softball field, turf soccer/lacrosse and practice field.