“America's only college of the New Church — a distinctive small Christian liberal arts college guided by Swedenborgian theology outside Philadelphia.”
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a unique private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem (the New Church, based on the teachings of 18th-century Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg). Founded in 1877 as the Academy of the New Church and later spun off as a separate college, Bryn Athyn is America's only college of the New Church. Located on a 130-acre campus in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles north of Philadelphia, the college occupies a distinctive spiritual community centered around the Gothic-style Bryn Athyn Cathedral — itself a National Historic Landmark. With approximately 180 undergraduates and a very low student-to-faculty ratio (approximately 8:1), Bryn Athyn offers one of the most intimate academic environments in American higher education. The curriculum integrates liberal arts with Swedenborgian theology, with offerings across biology, business, education, English, history, psychology, religious studies, and the arts. The college's Mission Statement notes that it serves 'as an intellectual center for all who desire to pursue a higher education in the liberal arts and sciences, enriched and structured by the Old and New Testaments and the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.' Campus life centers on the Lions community and the New Church faith tradition. The campus features the stunning Bryn Athyn Cathedral (National Historic Landmark) and two nearby National Historic Landmark buildings: Cairnwood Estate and Glencairn Museum. Students live on campus in residence halls. The red and white school colors define athletic identity. With its uniquely distinctive New Church affiliation, stunning Gothic-landmark campus, small size, and Philadelphia metro proximity, Bryn Athyn offers an unmatched niche experience for students interested in Swedenborgian Christian liberal arts education.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action
Non-binding
Regular Decision
Rolling
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$30,075
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Distinctive Swedenborgian theological studies — central to Bryn Athyn's identity.
Programs in English, history, and philosophy.
Biology, chemistry, pre-health pathways.
Business administration and teacher preparation.
Psychology and related fields.
4 years
America's only academic program in Swedenborgian theology — distinctive globally.
4 years
Small pre-health track with Philadelphia metro medical institution access.
4 years
Campus includes the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Cairnwood Estate, and Glencairn Museum — all National Historic Landmarks.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $28,917
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
