About Graceland

We are a university grounded in the liberal arts and dedicated to providing the progressive academic needs of the 21st century student.

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The Power of Belonging

Since 1895, Graceland University has been developing students into people who will change the world by giving them the best experience and education possible. But we believe that providing a strong liberal arts learning environment — at our main residential campus in Lamoni, our Independence campus and through our online programs — is just one piece of the puzzle. Just as important are our amazing faculty, who care about their students’ success; our fun, on-campus activities that build forever friendships; and the powerful sense of place and belonging we cultivate every day.

The Power of Together
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What We Stand For

Mission

Graceland creates learning communities where students develop their potential for meaningful and productive lives.

Vision

Graceland University will become a recognized educational leader, inspiring and empowering persons for transformational service and leadership.

Values

Graceland values learning, wholeness and community. Graceland encourages the development of these values for the enrichment of lives and the betterment of the world.

Learning

We believe in the lifelong process of the open and free pursuit of truth.

Wholeness

We believe that the development of the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual dimensions of all persons is necessary for healthy and fulfilling lives.

Community

We appreciate and welcome diversity and, as an institution sponsored by Community of Christ, believe in the inherent worth of all persons expressed through relationships built on the foundation of unconditional love and acceptance.

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Fields of Study

Locations

    Graceland at a Glance

    1,203

    Enrolled students

    Fall 2023 Fact Book (all undergrad & grad)

    students studying together in classroom

    Lamoni Campus

    16:1

    Student to faculty ratio

    Fall 2023 Fact Book

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    Student smiles in front of Higdon building
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    From 1895 to Today

    Graceland University was founded over 125 years ago after land was generously gifted by a group of Lamoni church members in order to build a college.

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    Get to Know the Graceland Educators

    Creating a warm, welcoming environment that offers support and individual attention is important to our faculty and staff. With small class sizes and our 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, at Graceland, you’ll never be just a number.

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    Fully accredited.

    Established in 1895, Graceland University has always strived to maintain the highest academic integrity possible. The university undergoes a rigorous accreditation process on a regular basis.

    Below are Graceland’s current accreditations.

    Graceland University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1920. Graceland’s accreditation was most recently reaffirmed in 2017, and the next reaffirmation is scheduled for 2027.

    Obtain an official copy of Graceland University’s HLC accreditation details.

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    National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) Logo

    Graceland University’s online programs have been approved by the State of Iowa to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

    NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education, and Graceland has been a member since February 2016. Membership requires annual renewal, which takes place each February.

    Graceland is approved to operate in Missouri by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

    Iowa Department of Education Logo

    Graceland University’s teacher undergraduate education program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE).

    IDOE approval was most recently renewed November 16, 2016, after an April 2016 review. It expires in 2022-23 when Graceland will participate in an on-site renewal evaluation.

    Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation Logo

    The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Graceland University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202)887.6791. View Graceland’s accreditation details.

    The master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing have full approval status with the Iowa State Board of Nursing. View Iowa MSN accreditation. View Iowa DNP accreditation.

    The baccalaureate degrees in nursing have full approval status with the Iowa and Missouri State Boards of Nursing. View Iowa BSN accreditation. View Missouri pass rates.

    The Princeton Review

    The Princeton Review

    2025 Best Regional Colleges – Midwest (2012-25)

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    Recognized as a top online RN to BSN program in 2022 by Registered Nursing.org

    RegisteredNursing.org

    Ranked #1: Best Online RN-BSN Program in Missouri (2022)

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    NAIA Champion of Characters - Silver Winner

    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

    2023 Champions of Character Five-Star Silver Institution

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    Research.com

    Ranked #6: Most Popular Colleges in Iowa

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    The Princeton Review

    2023 Best Online Nursing School Master’s Programs

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    Online Master's Degrees

    Ranked #3: Top Nurse Educator Certificate Online Programs for 2024

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    Online Master's Degrees

    Ranked #10: Best Online Master’s in Religious Studies for 2024

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    Online Master's Degrees

    Ranked #12: Best Online Nursing Certificate Programs for 2024

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    Online Master's Degrees

    Ranked #21: Best Online Nurse Practitioner Certificate Programs for 2024

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    Get Educated

    Top 10 Affordable MS Programs in Nutrition

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    Nurse Practitioner Online

    Ranked #1: 2023 Top Ranked Online AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

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    The Princeton Review

    2023: Recognized as a Green College

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    U.S. News & World Report

    Regional Universities Midwest – 2024
    Best Online Bachelor’s Programs – 2024
    Best Online Bachelor’s Business Programs – 2024
    Best online Master’s in Nursing Programs – 2024
    Top Performers on Social Mobility – 2024

    Money

    Best Colleges in America (2023)

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    Best Colleges

    Ranked #6: Best Online DNP Programs

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    Best Colleges

    Ranked #23: Best Colleges in Iowa

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    Best Colleges

    Ranked #9: Best Online Colleges in Iowa

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    Guide to Online Schools

    Ranked #6: 2020 Best Online Colleges in Iowa

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    Military Friendly Schools Designation 2022-23 Top 10 School (2017-2023)

    Scoring Methodology Governance

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    RegisteredNursing.org

    Ranked #6: Best RN Programs in Iowa (2020)

    RN Ranking Methodology

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    Nursing Schools Almanac

    Ranked #38: 100 Best Nursing Schools in the Plains 2019

    Nursing Schools Almanac

    Ranked #9: 40 Best Nursing Schools in Missouri 2019

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    Minority Nurse

    2020 Nursing Diversity Champion

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    SR Education Group

    2017 Top Online Master’s Degree Nursing Program

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    Intelligent.com

    2024 – Ranked #7 – Best Online Colleges in Iowa

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    Intelligent.com

    2024 – Ranked #20 – Best Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs

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    Intelligent.com

    2024 – Ranked #24 – Most Affordable Online Master’s Degree Programs of 2024

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    College Choice

    Ranked #4: Best Online Organizational Leadership Degree

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    College Choice

    Ranked #10: Best Online DNP Programs for Nurse Practitioners

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    PeTA

    Vegan Report Card – A+ Dean’s List

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    Nurse Practitioner Online

    Ranked #1 – Online AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate Program

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    Nurse Practitioner Online

    Ranked #7 – Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs

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    Forbes 2017 Grateful Grads Index: Top 200 Best-Loved Colleges (2017)

    2017 Grateful Grads Index: Top 200 Best-Loved Colleges (2017)

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    By the Numbers

    1,203

    Enrolled students

    Fall 2023 Fact Book (all undergrad & grad)

    99%

    Receive financial aid

    Fall 2023 Fact Book

    9

    Pre-professional programs

    21

    Undergraduate majors

    Fall 2022

    4

    Master's degrees

    Fall 2022

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    A few other facts:

    Graceland University, founded in 1895, is a private, four-year liberal arts university.

    Recognized by The Princeton Review as a “Best in the Midwest” (2012-2020).

    Academic Programs: More than 35 academic programs, including nine pre-professional programs, 31 undergraduate majors, three master’s degrees and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

    Online Programs: Graceland offers online degree programs to over 750 students in education, nursing, business and religion.

    Student to faculty ratio: 12:1 for all undergraduate locations; 13:1 for Lamoni Campus

    Faculty: All Graceland Locations: 61 full-time undergraduate faculty, 77 percent with a PhD or other terminal degree.

    Students: All Graceland locations: 1,419 FTE (IPEDS calculation for Full-Time Equivalent)

    • Lamoni Undergraduate: 838 (full time and part time)
    • Lamoni Undergraduate: 757 (full time)
    • High School (ACE): 64 (full time and part time)
    • Online: 760 (full time and part time)
    • Independence: 140 (full time and part time)

    Housing: Students are members of 16 “Houses”

    Student Clubs and Organizations: over 35

    Lamoni: Nearly 800 students, representing 37 states and 25 countries

    Independence/Online: Undergraduate representing 22 and graduate representing 41 states and six countries

    Student Profile

    (Entering Class Fall 2019 – Lamoni Campus):

    • Enrollment: 251 (193 first-time freshmen, 53 transfers and 5 previous year)
    • Average ACT: 21
    • Average GPA: 3.36
    • 49 percent male, 50 percent female

    Financial Aid: 99 percent of residential students receive aid of any type from any source.

    Graceland has several notable alumni who have made a remarkable impact on their communities.

    Access: Each room has internet and cable TV hookups, and each main lounge in the Residence Halls has a printer. Wireless internet is available in all campus housing and all public buildings on campus. In addition, 136 lab computers are available to students throughout the campus.

    Radio Station: KBUZ (Listen Here)

    Athletics: Member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Graceland’s men and women athletes compete in 20 varsity teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HEART). Added Rodeo in Fall 2020 as part of National Intercollegiate Rodeo Assocation (NIRA) in the Great Plains Region.

    SkillPath: More than 215,000 people annually attend SkillPath and CompuMaster seminars provided by the Graceland Center for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning.

    Sponsored by Community of Christ.

    For more facts, view the Graceland Fact Book, maintained by Graceland’s Institutional Research team.

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