CHRISTIAN COLLEGES PROVIDE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES TOO

When I talk with students about choosing a college, I always encourage them to keep the end goal in mind: getting a job and becoming independent. The ultimate purpose of college isn’t just campus life, sports, or social opportunities—it’s preparing for a successful career. If a college doesn’t help its graduates enter their chosen field, then it’s not truly fulfilling its purpose. A school might have the best football team, a lively Greek life, and an amazing rec center—but if its graduates can't find jobs, it’s more of an overpriced social club than an academic institution.

Larger Colleges vs. Smaller Colleges

It makes sense that a university with more students will produce more alumni—and that larger alumni networks can lead to more professional connections. For instance, imagine Big State University (BSU) with 70,000 students graduating around 15,000 per year. In contrast, Small Private University (SPU) might have only 2,500 students and graduate about 200 each year. SPU’s total number of graduates since its inception might not even match one year of BSU’s graduating class.

If alumni tend to feel connected to their alma mater—and many do—then they often look to hire and mentor graduates from their own school. If both BSU and SPU produce company CEOs, those leaders might recruit from their alma mater based on loyalty and shared values. But sheer numbers give BSU a clear advantage: more alumni means more connections, and more opportunities for current students to tap into.

However, a better comparison would involve looking at employment percentages, starting roles, career advancement, and salaries within 5 years of graduation—rather than just alumni volume.

The Misconception About Big-Name Colleges

There’s a common belief that attending a large, well-known university guarantees the best career opportunities. While it might seem logical—especially because big universities often promote internship partnerships with major companies—this isn’t always the full picture.

Yes, large universities may place many students into internships with leading national firms. And yes, many of those interns do get hired. But students often don’t research what those jobs actually look like, or what kind of advancement opportunities exist within those companies.

For example, a 2007 CFO Magazine article reported that the Big Four accounting firms have an average turnover rate of 15–20%, compared to 6–10% at smaller firms (Journal of Accountancy, 2023). Many of the graduates hired by large firms end up leaving fairly quickly.

In my own experience, I had a student graduate from a large university and accept a job with one of those top accounting firms. She left just one year later. Her starting role offered little room for growth, and she couldn’t see herself spending the next decade doing entry-level work that didn’t challenge her skills.

By contrast, another student graduated from a small Christian college—similar to our SPU example—and was recruited by a mid-sized global company that actively sought out graduates from small Christian schools. Within five years, he became a team supervisor, was selected for a mentorship program with the company’s international CFO, and has since traveled to company offices around the world—including the Philippines, Spain, and London. He’s even flown to New York each year for the corporate Christmas celebration.

Smaller Colleges Can Offer Bigger Growth

The key takeaway here is this: large colleges with major corporate partnerships may help students land jobs—but often in entry-level roles with slow advancement. In contrast, small and mid-sized companies, which frequently recruit from smaller colleges, may offer faster promotion tracks, more diverse responsibilities, and greater personal development early in your career. These experiences help build a stronger résumé—often more quickly.

Smaller Christian colleges, in particular, tend to offer students hands-on learning, close mentoring relationships, and early leadership opportunities that can accelerate professional growth.

Choose College with Purpose

I’m always surprised by how many students choose a college major unrelated to their true career goals—just because it seems like an easier path to get accepted into a “big-name” school. I always ask: Are you willing to graduate with a degree you can’t use, or stay stuck in a career you don’t love?

College is a key stepping stone toward your future. Choose it intentionally. If a college can't help you get the job you want, then it doesn’t matter what city it’s in, what colors it wears, or what traditions it celebrates. Students should make a decision based on opportunity, purpose, and alignment with their goals—not popularity.