by Madison Dors
As higher education adapts to a new generation of students, Cedarville University is challenging the stereotype that college pathways look the same for everyone.
This August, the university welcomed one of its largest freshman classes, totaling 1164 students, more than 25% of whom graduated from homeschool programs. With homeschool graduates representing a significant portion of the student body, Cedarville continues to expand its high school partnerships and opportunities for homeschooled students seeking an academically rigorous education grounded in biblical truth.
Cedarville currently sponsors and supports 18 homeschool organizations, including Answers in Genesis, HSLDA Online Academy and Classical Conversations. Students enrolled through participating organizations receive an 80% tuition discount on accredited online dual enrollment courses, allowing high school students to complete general education courses and Cedarville’s Bible minor requirements before enrolling full time at Cedarville. Members of partner organizations also qualify for tuition discounts on graduate and seminary programs.
Beyond online learning, Cedarville participates as a sponsor at major regional and national homeschool conventions. These events connect university leaders with families seeking higher education grounded in shared values, including love for God, love for others, excellence in effort and integrity in conduct.
Cedarville's support for homeschool education also extends into the classroom through the Cedarville University School of Education and Social Work’s Symbiotica program — a learning initiative connecting college students majoring in education with local homeschooled students.
Through Symbiotica, middle childhood education students and education faculty members welcome homeschooled students in grades five through eight to campus each Monday and Wednesday. Cedarville students gain hands-on teaching experience while providing instruction in mathematics, science, social studies and language arts from a biblical worldview.
For some Cedarville alumni, their own homeschooling experiences have also influenced their career paths.
Rachel Hartford, a 2026 Cedarville graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communication, returned to Classical Conversations as an instructional designer after experiencing the organization’s impact as a homeschooled student. In her role, Hartford writes communications for national events, develops content related to organizational culture and assists with the National Number Knockout, an annual mathematics competition held during the Classical Conversations Family Cruise.
"Our work should always be for God’s glory first and foremost," said Hartford. "It doesn’t matter if you are in leadership or working behind the scenes; everything we do should reflect Christ and honor him to the utmost."
As an early adopter of the Classical Learning Test for college admission, Cedarville continues to strengthen its connections with Classical Conversations and other homeschool organizations. Through on-campus learning opportunities, dual enrollment courses and national partnerships, the university seeks to make Christian higher education more accessible to homeschooled students and families across the country.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2027 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
