Abilene Christian University Reviews

"If only I would have know that ACU is about cookie-cutting students to fit a certain mold, I would have never attended or accepted their money. The capstone course designed for the COBA accounting programs is a joke. The senior capstone courses are supposedly designed to incorporate what a student has learned through their degree program. However, for accounting students this is not the case. Accounting students are required to complete a Strategic Management class for their capstone that has absolutely nothing to do with accounting. Sure it should be included in the core curriculum, I believe, but to say that this is inclusive of what we have learned as accounting students is far from reality. So if your looking for an account degree and the education to back it up, I would recommend a state school as these private so-called "Christian" colleges cannot provide the education or resources that one will need to move into the workforce. If you have the ability to self-teach then save yourself the money, stress, and time and grab some Dummies books from our local bookstore and you will have the equivalent education. Additionally, if you are a non-traditional student save yourself and find a university that has a decent population of non-traditions, because ACU's faculty, staff, and traditional student population considers them as ghosts. Their degree programs are like it is the 1990's, they are way behind the trends within many industries, and they have already shut own their IT program (who does that in a technology driven world).Read Less"

"Because the GERs for this school require so many religious study type classes (most of which you are "encouraged" to take in your first two years) it is very hard to transfer those credits to another school who will take them seriously. They all transferred as electives. Even my Religious Writing class, which ACU classified as an LA credit was only accepted as an Elective. The teachers are unnecessarily hard and will lower your grade if you disagree with their opinion or religion. Some of them take pride in the percentage of students who fail. (Specifically one Bible teacher of mine bragged about it on the first day of class.) The instruction varies from Prof to Prof, however no one looked surprised when one teacher took a writing sample and, instead of grading it so it could be rewritten better, wrote notes about how rough the experience must have been and how I will be in her prayers. Also, their views on Chapel are outdated and misogynistic. As are their views of curfew, alcohol, and many other things. It's extremely overpriced. There is little to no financial aid offered unless you are planning to become a preacher, in which case I suppose they figure you won't make much money anyway, so couldn't pay back loans. I strongly feel I wasted years of my life stressing about that school. I also know that I could have gotten a job right out of high school that would have paid the same as the one I got after I finished. There is no actual guidance on how to decide what you want to do with your life, and then figure out what degree will most likely help you. They are just happy to take your money.Read Less"

"I had an amazing experience at Abilene Christian University. I have received not only an excellent education and preparation for the future, but lifelong friends and mentors. I often was invited to professors homes where they mentored me in my career endeavors, went on mission trips with my professors and department heads, and worked alongside of many intelligent and qualified peers. I would highly recommend an education from Abilene Christian University because it will not only provide you with your desired degree, but bless you with relationships, connections and a lifetime of memories.Read Less"

"This school was good and provided a good education"

"Abilene Christian University is a strong faith based college. It is predominately church of Christ in denomination. It is a division one school and has a lot of opportunity through reputation to enter into the job force"

"Not the best school in regards to financial aid, connecting you to jobs and internships, providing opportunities, etc... But, the professors do genuinely care about you. It is a Christian school with people who look out for you, pray with you, and have your best interest at heart. I grew a lot at this school as an individual. Although it was expensive and not always the best academically, I wouldn't have picked any where else."

"Abilene Christian University's strength is the intentionality of faculty and staff to build genuine relationships with students and help them accomplish their goals in their career field as well as challenge them to leave their impact on campus during their undergraduate years. From my freshmen year until my senior year, I've had faculty mentors that have assisted me in research opportunities and obtaining funding so I can present at regional and national conferences. I've been able to focus on building my strengths in other areas of study outside of my major and build relationships with faculty in other departments. It's strength is the community that exists within students and faculty which is something I valued as a high school senior applying for college. You're not just another number or student in class, but a person who is able to have conversations or lunch with your professors. I'm a student in the School of Social Work which was recently awarded as the #3 faith based social work program in the nation behind Catholic University of America and Baylor University. The small faculty invests into the students and the curriculum enables students to conduct social work practice on a micro, mezzo, and macro levels. They prepare students for licensure and continued education in graduate schools. As a student of color, I've found community in the school of social work which has the most diverse students on campus and the departments advocates for refugees, immigrants, LGBTQ students, and sexual assault survivors on campus and in the Abilene region. If you are looking for a small intention liberal arts university, that will build your relationship with Christ and promote growth in your career field then ACU is the school for you.Read Less"

"Abilene Christian University is an amazing university for pursuing higher education from a Christian institution. The faculty and staff truly care about and love every student that they come into contact with. They care about mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health in addition to academic growth. ACU is a liberal arts school that is passionate about social justice issues in addition to Kingdom justice. You will find community here that will walk alongside you throughout your college experience and even long after. The education received and the relationships that are made at ACU are far worth the financial cost and living in a smaller west Texas town.Read Less"

"ACU gave me amazing internships that helped me land my dream job with Disney Cruise Lines. The Career Center at ACU is authentic with their connections and will prepare you for any part of your career. This program ranges from giving you options of career paths, resume building, interview training and salary negotiating. I recommend ACU to any potential student that I meet."

"It was a good school that provided basic requirements"

"The major advantage of ACU was how well I got to know every professor within my majors. They knew me, my abilities, my future plans and what was going on in my life. It meant more flexibility when things went wrong in my life, but also more accountability because they were working to help me succeed. I've been graduated for four years, and I could still call or email any of them and get a personal recommendation, help with classwork in my master's degree, or just a word of encouragement."

"I loved being a student at Abilene Christian University. The overall atmosphere of the school is very positive and uplifting and the professors honestly care for outside of your title as "student". The professors would often invite their classes over to their homes for meals and visiting. They would pray for you or with you if you asked. Our chapel time was a huge blessing, a time to refocus your day and release the day's stresses. There were many extra activities on campus, many that participated in as well, like: swing and salsa dancing, marching and concert band, choirs, campus clubs, intramurals, academic clubs, and many sports. Fortunately, my department is now (3 years later) undergoing major building changes, adding space for labs and more classes. However, while I was a student, there were limited class options. However with that, the classes that were offered were very well taught. Again, each professor not only cared about their students, but also about their subject. Many professors had outside research projects or would take the class on Spring Break scuba trips to really learn Marine Biology. The material was well prepared and professors were willing to take time to help you understand. They didn't baby anyone but they did genuinely desire for each student to succeed. I feel like my degree from ACU was worthwhile and worth the money. The atmosphere, love, attitudes, helpfulness, kindness, and generosity of the school and those who attend and teach is incredible.Read Less"

"You can get a great education almost anywhere. You will find great professors, interesting topics, extracurricular activities you enjoy, beautiful campuses all over the world. What sets ACU apart is that the professors and the staff care about you, specifically, as an individual. I've been graduated for nearly five years, and I could still call up any one of my professors in either the English or Art & Design department on their personal cell and ask for a recommendation or a favor, or just to chat. I've been to their homes, I've traveled abroad with them, I've met their families and they have met mine. When an employer calls them up for a reference, they know my school work and they know me personally -- my work ethic, my style, my values. This is not the exception; this is the rule. If you want an exceptional education, then yes, you can find that at ACU, but you can find it elsewhere as well. If you want to be part of a community that cares about you, follows your success, holds you accountable and cheers you on well after you graduate, that's where you'll find ACU different.Read Less"

"The Pros would be: it is in a great location and at a great school. The only con would be that the graduate program is not yet accredited."

"My advising experience was by far the best at ACU, I felt like they really cared about my success. Most of my teachers were great. I had one who I didn't hate or love, a couple that were just okay, but most of my department professors were awesome!"

"The faculty are what make this program. They all have different backgrounds and specialities which makes every single class different and entertaining."

"The pros of this graduate program is that it has the best facualty and staff. This program is designed to challenge our skills and make us better therapists in the future. Other pros are the quality of classes, the number of hours of direct experience given, and the cohort we are a part that gives us the additional support to get through the days and weeks to come. The only con to this program is the internalizing that has to take place because of the nature of what we do can't be shared."

"ACU is a small community and has small class sizes which makes it perfect for studying at the graduate level, especially in psychology. We are encouraged to think work smarter and not harder. Each program is its own cohort that generally takes classes together which makes it easy to make friends and study buddies. Everyone in town is extremely friendly and faculty genuinely care about students who work hard for what they want."

"The Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University is a quality program with a very good and accessible faculty. The program balances academic rigor and preparation for ministry. Spiritual formation is a priority of the faculty and staff. The faculty do a fantastic job emphasizing both scholarship and enthusiasm for the church and the biblical text. It is an expensive, private university, but the personal access and support from faculty and staff is invaluable."

"This program is very intricate. The hours and workload are heavy but it all meshes together to give an outstanding understanding of social systems. The faculty are 100% accessible approximately 90% of the time. These faculty want each student to succeed and care about their future. I feel competent having completed only one half of the program and can't wait to see how much more I know by completion. This is a wonderful program."