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‘More than one in seven Christian colleges and universities maintain some type of relationship with Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry’: report
A new report has sparked debate over how Christian colleges and universities across the country approach abortion-related resources on their campuses, with researchers identifying more than 100 faith-based institutions that maintain some form of connection to abortion providers.
The Institute for Pro-Life Advancement recently released its latest findings examining 725 Christian-affiliated colleges and universities, flagging 114 institutions that have some sort of tie to abortion providers, such as listing Planned Parenthood as a student health resource or maintaining referral relationships with abortion providers.
“More than one in seven Christian colleges and universities maintain some type of relationship with Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry,” stated the 32-page report.
Published in January, it cites 10 schools in particular that have “completely forsaken their Christian values in terms of abortion”: American University, Duke University, Dickinson College, Macalester College, Rhodes College, Emory University, Hope College, Southern Methodist University, Augsburg University, and Otterbein University.
“Unfortunately, it’s far more often the case that schools simply use the name ‘Christian’ as a label without living out the faith they proclaim,” Mary Mobley, a spokeswoman for Students for Life of America, said in a recent email interview with The College Fix about the report.
“By claiming the name of Christ, schools subject themselves to an even higher standard, especially when it comes to respect for life,” she said.
The College Fix reached out to several colleges and universities cited in the report, but none responded.
To determine the results, institute researchers reviewed publicly available student health materials, university policies, and institutional partnerships during the 2024-25 academic year.
“A painstaking investigation into each school’s website revealed an alarming number of proabortion internships, promoted events, and class resources, along with advertised ‘health’ resources, volunteer opportunities, and general support of abortion,” the report stated.
Pro-life advocates say these connections undermine the expectations of students and families who choose Christian colleges specifically for their moral and religious commitments, with the report calling them “Christian in name only.”
They argue that institutions with explicit faith-based identities should ensure their campus resources align with those values.
“In some cases, the schools honestly don’t know about the violations. For example, if an individual professor referred students to Planned Parenthood as a class resource,” Mobley said. “That’s part of why our Christian Schools Project exists — to alert schools to violations they may be unaware of.”
Mobley said when administrators are informed, they often move quickly to correct the issue.
“If those schools truly practice the faith they preach, they often move rapidly to cut ties with the abortion industry once they’re aware of them — as we’ve seen in quite a few cases,” she said.
According to Students for Life, 56 infractions were remedied between 2024 and 2025 following outreach from students, parents, and members of the public. However, Mobley said not all schools respond in that way.
Mobley argued that institutions that fail to meet that standard risk betraying the expectations of students, parents, and donors.
When asked what families should do if their school appears on the list, she encouraged direct engagement with administrators.
“For parents and students at a school on the list: pressure your school to cut ties,” she said. “Reach out to school administrators or board members and inform them in the strongest possible terms that you will not accept any compromise on life.”
She added that if an institution refuses to sever its ties, families seeking a religious education may need to consider other options.
“A Christian school that truly practices its faith will willingly cut ties to abortion as quickly as possible as soon as it knows of them,” Mobley said. “If your school doesn’t, then it cannot be considered ‘Christian’ in any meaningful sense — so if you’re seeking a religious education, it would be wise to look elsewhere.”
Mobley also addressed whether it is possible to identify as both Christian and pro-choice, stating the two positions are incompatible.
“It is absolutely unacceptable to be Christian and ‘pro-choice,’” she said. “One of the most fundamental principles in the Bible is that of the sanctity of life.”
On the flip side, the report listed the top 10 campuses for maintaining pro-life positions: Abilene Christian University, Aquinas College, Belmont Abbey College, Benedictine College, Central Christian College of Kansas, DeSales University, Liberty University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Dayton, and University of Mary.
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