Top-Tier Wesleyan Education at Houghton
Houghton College appears in our ranking of the Top 60 Most Affordable Accredited Christian Colleges and Universities Online.
Ranked the U.S. News & World Report’s 143rd best liberal arts school, Houghton College in Western New York confers 44 undergrad and six master’s degrees, including seven online on Moodle, from a Christian worldview at an 11:1 learner-faculty ratio.
For example, the BA/BS in Theology customizes a 128-credit, Bible-centric plan for following God’s calling with Allegany County Outreach projects, a Salvation Army Fellowship, and Youth for Christ membership. Chaired by Prof. John Rhett, the 128-credit BFA in Art utilizes the Stevens Art Studio for creative expression with exhibits in Willard & Aimee Ortlip Gallery plus a May term in Europe trip. Entirely online, the BBA in Human Resources Management follows a 40-61 credit transfer track of eight-week courses like Employment Law with one for-credit internship, such as Cardone Industries, and SHRM Chapter events.
The Greatbatch School, led by Dr. Armenio Suzano, has a 32-credit MM in Choral Conducting that blends courses like Synthesizer Applications with real-life recitals in the 300-seat Rosemary Tysinger Auditorium.
Other options include the BA/BS in Chemistry, BA/BS in Equestrian Studies, BA in Philosophy, BS in Electrical Engineering, BA in Mathematics, and MM in Music Composition.
About Houghton College
Houghton College originated in 1883 when Wesleyan Methodist preacher Willard J. Houghton started a coeducational high school called Houghton Seminary. In 1901, it added the first college-level diploma for Biblical ministry. Seven years later, Dr. James Luckey became initial President of its 91-acre, 30-building Caneadea campus outside Rochester. In 1927, the New York State Legislature granted Houghton’s first collegiate charter. Fully accredited in 1935, it merged with the Buffalo Bible Institute in 1969 for a Seneca extension. In 1976, President Daniel Chamberlain launched the adult degree-completion program. By 2004, Houghton College had created an upper-level Master of Music degree. One decade after, Buffalo Bills co-owner and alumnus Kim Pegula donated $12 million for a new Athletic Complex. In 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo commended Houghton for the state’s largest solar panel system too. Endowed for $46.4 million, Houghton College now serves 1,078 Highlanders from 39 nations and 30 denominations at Money magazine’s 392nd best value. Forbes ranked Houghton the 264th top private university. On Niche, Houghton boasts America’s 72nd best dorms, 105th top teaching degrees, and 197th best communications program.
Houghton College Accreditation Details
On June 25, 2015, Houghton College was formally notified by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Board of Trustees that the Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) for Level III was reaffirmed successfully through 2025 under its fifth president, Dr. Shirley A. Mullen, who received the Westmont College Outstanding Teacher Award three times. Located 332 miles down Interstate 476 in Philadelphia, this large 524-college Northeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and New York Department of Higher Education. Particularly, the Education Department was accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) in 2010. The Greatbatch School of Business has also held National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) approval since September 1, 1946.
Houghton College Application Requirements
Getting into Houghton College is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 810 of the 1,074 Fall 2017 applicants conquered the competitive 75 percent acceptance rate. First-year Highlanders must finish an adequate New York State high school curriculum or its equivalent. Composite GED scores of 2500 or higher would qualify. Each May, AP exams graded “3” or better are accepted for three credits. Homeschooled students must demonstrate “Ability to Benefit” with eligible CLT scores. Freshmen present a median 3.25 GPA, 1180 SAT, and 24 ACT mark. Transferring undergrads must complete at least 50 percent or 30 credits of Houghton majors in residence. Sixty associate credits graded “C” or higher transfer, especially from accredited partners like SUNY Alfred, Villa Maria, Augustine, and Genesee Community College. Individuals from non-English nations need an 80 TOEFL iBT score or ESL Pathway Plan. The Greatbatch School of Music seeks MA or MM entrants with baccalaureate GPAs above 3.0. One year of French, German, or Italian is prerequisite for the MM in Vocal Performance. Starting 2019, the MSEd in Literacy will accept certified K-12 teachers with edTPA passing scores.
Houghton College has published an October 15th Priority I, January 15th Priority II, and March 1st General deadline for freshmen. Bachelor’s transfers have until December 1st for Spring and July 1st for Fall admission. The Honors Program starts its invitation process in early November. The Greatbatch School of Music has rolling post-grad admission, but applying by March 1st or November 1st waives the $40 fee. Accordingly, complete the Houghton or Common Application online early. Official final transcripts must be sent electronically via Parchment or to One Willard Avenue PO Box 128 in Houghton, NY 14744. Testing reports require SAT code 2299 or ACT code 2766. Other program steps include the 500-word essay prompt, recommendation form, music audition, repertoire list, graded writing sample, and financial affidavit. Find out more by contacting (800) 777-2556 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Houghton College had priced full-time undergrad tuition at $16,465 each term or $32,930 annually. Undergrads pay the $106 orientation fee and $516 services fee. Traditional part-time costs are $1,344 per credit. Summer Session prices drop to $739 per credit. Living at the Allegany County campus’ dorms like Gillette Hall adds $5,134 for rent. Standard meal plans for Campus Center Dining Hall are $4,434 extra. Houghton budgets $1,000 for texts and $2,850 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual bachelor’s study equals about $$45,626 on-site and $36,888 with parents. Online programs like the B.A. in Criminal Justice charge $500 per credit. Graduate School tuition rises slightly to $590 per credit. Thus, estimated totals are $18,880 for Greatbatch MA/MM programs and $17,700 for the Online MSEd in Literacy.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office helps 98 percent of Houghton Highlanders climb upwards with median aid of $20,344 for $20.71 million combined. Institutional funds include the George & Grace Lee Grant, Wesleyan Campus Bible Bowl Scholarship, Army ROTC Scholarship, David C. Pollock Missionary Scholarship, Forte Scholarship, Fortissimo Scholarship, President’s Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, Counselor’s Scholarship, Alumni Grant, Art Department Merit Scholarship, Ruth Bergen Scholarship, Alice Mary Baker Hazlett Scholarship, and Dr. George Seher Scholarship. The James S. Luckey Full-Tuition Scholarship worth $32,930 selects freshmen in the top 5 percent with 4.0 GPAs and SAT scores over 1400. Phi Theta Kappa members meeting 3.0 GPAs receive the $6,000 Transfer Merit Scholarship. Houghton College is a RaiseMe partner with a November 1st deadline for up to $12,000 Micro Scholarships. Completing FAFSA forms coded 002734 judges Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, and Direct Loan qualifications. New Yorkers also utilize the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for a $5,165 yearly maximum.
Search through five accredited departments for 50+ Protestant, inquiry-based majors at the Houghton College website.