Covenant College

Covenant College is a private, nonprofit Christian liberal arts college on Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, near Chattanooga. Its Reformed Presbyterian tradition shapes campus life and its approach to learning: the college describes faith as part of every field, from biblical studies to science, art, business and education. That integrated model is central to the school’s identity, so prospective students should consider both their intended major and whether they want a college community where Christian faith is explicit in academics and daily life. Covenant’s single residential campus sits on a wooded mountaintop; the setting is a major draw, while its distance from a large city is a practical consideration for students who want frequent off-campus options.

Majors, minors and professional pathways

The undergraduate catalog includes study across the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, arts and professional fields. Among the available majors are biblical and theological studies, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, education studies, English, history, international studies, mathematics, music, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, and studio art. Options within those departments add paths such as accounting, finance and marketing in business; biomedical, environmental and health-professions concentrations in biology; and graphic design, photography and art history in art. Students can also choose minors and certificates in areas including entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and sustainability, journalism and society, medical ethics consultation, neuroscience, and missions.

Several students use Covenant’s pre-professional advising to prepare for graduate study in health professions, law, ministry or other fields. A major is not always the same as a professional credential, however: applicants should ask the department which prerequisite courses, internships and graduate-school requirements they will need. The official academic programs directory lists current majors, minors, concentrations and certificates, and is the right place to check whether a particular subject is offered as a major or only as a minor.

The Graduate School of Education currently offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), an 11-month, 34-credit route to initial teacher certification. Its content areas include art, biology, chemistry, computer science, drama and theatre, economics, English, French, history, mathematics, music, physics, political science and Spanish, with additional middle-grades specializations. The program combines coursework with a full year of supervised clinical practice in P–12 classrooms; some employed candidates who live farther away may join fall and spring evening classes synchronously online. The college has phased out its Master of Education (MEd) and says it is no longer admitting new students to that degree, so the MAT is the current graduate teaching option. Review the MAT program and certification details before applying, since eligibility depends on prior undergraduate preparation and the teaching area.

Faith, community and the residential setting

Covenant is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America, but the college says students come from multiple Christian denominations and from across the United States and abroad. The admissions process includes a personal faith testimony and a reference from a pastor, elder, church leader or youth leader. This is a meaningful fit question rather than a formality: applicants should understand the college’s theological commitments, community expectations and the role that faith plays in classroom discussion.

The campus is centered on a historic mountaintop property with residence halls, dining, athletic facilities and views toward the Tennessee Valley. Students commonly describe a close-knit community, faculty who know them personally and a visually striking campus. Student comments also mention an academically demanding workload, limited nearby dining and entertainment, and a sense of isolation for those who want more activity off campus. These are individual accounts, not guarantees, but they point to useful questions for a visit: sit in on a class, ask current students how they get to Chattanooga, compare meal options and transportation, and learn what academic support is available during heavier terms. A range of student reviews of Covenant College can help applicants identify topics to explore directly.

2026–27 tuition and aid

For the 2026–27 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition for 12–18 credits is $44,050, with a required student fee of $1,328. A typical two-person room, board and laundry package is listed at $13,770 for the year. The college’s on-campus cost-of-attendance budget totals $64,450 after it adds estimates for books, transportation, personal expenses and fees; that is a planning figure rather than the bill every student will receive. Housing choice and personal costs change the amount. Covenant reports an average cost after aid of $26,305 for a full-time traditional student living on campus in a standard double room, based on the average aid it says students receive. Each family’s net price will differ, so use the 2026–27 tuition and fee schedule and the college’s net price calculator to build an individual estimate.

Applicants are automatically considered for many merit scholarships and institutional grants through the admissions file, while competitive awards have separate requirements and deadlines. The Maclellan Scholars Program is a full-tuition award for first-time, degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.85 high-school GPA and a qualifying SAT, ACT or CLT score; it also includes a $2,000 stipend for required intercultural study, leadership coursework and an internship. Other named opportunities include Presidential and Wilberforce scholarships, music and visual-arts awards, and a Pipes and Drums scholarship. Need-based Covenant College and Director’s grants, federal aid determined through the FAFSA, work-study, church-related grants, and awards for homeschool graduates or certain partner-school students may also apply. Eligibility rules and award stacking vary, and aid does not necessarily cover room, board or the full cost of attendance. Compare the current scholarships and financial-aid options with your award letter, and ask Financial Aid which grants renew and which expenses remain after tuition assistance.

Applying and getting a clear cost estimate

Fall 2027 applications opened in 2026. Covenant lists November 10, 2026, as the Early Action and competitive scholarship deadline, and March 1, 2027, as the Regular Decision deadline; applications may be accepted on a rolling basis after March 1. The application fee is $35. First-year applicants submit a 400–600-word faith testimony, high-school transcript, academic reference and Christian-faith reference, along with SAT, ACT or CLT scores under the college’s stated policy. Transfer, international, MAT and scholarship applications have different requirements, so confirm the exact checklist and deadline before submitting. Use the official application page to apply through Covenant or Common App and to access current instructions.

The main campus is at 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750. The general phone number is (706) 820-1560, and Admissions can be reached at (706) 820-2398 or admissions@covenant.edu. Google’s listing gives administrative hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; it shows the campus closed Saturday and Sunday. Covenant lists its Graduate School of Education at the same street address; the MAT office has a separate number, (706) 419-1406. The college identifies this as its main campus, and no additional campus address is listed for this guide.

Covenant may suit students seeking a residential Christian liberal arts education with strong community ties, faculty mentorship and a wide range of undergraduate disciplines. Before making a decision, compare the program-level requirements, faith expectations, available transportation and full net price after grants. Ask Admissions and Financial Aid to explain how your intended major, housing choice and scholarship eligibility combine into a semester-by-semester plan.