United Methodist Church higher education

Schools, colleges, and universities are related to the United Methodist Church through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In 2022, there are a total of 107 UM-Affiliated schools, colleges, and universities. In 2021, there were 108, as shown on this map of UM-Affiliated institutions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The schools are identified and reviewed by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church as having met criteria for institutional integrity, well-structured programs, sound management and clearly defined church relationships. Some of the schools are related to the church primarily through historic associations with Methodism while others have current active affiliations. All affiliated institutions have been identified as having affirmed the Education Covenant of Partnership at the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.

All schools, colleges/universities, and seminaries without regard to affiliation but with a historical relationship to the Church have been members of the National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church. In July 2020, that organization became more inclusive and changed its name to the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU). With the changes, the organization welcomes educational institutions that are not United Methodist-affiliated but do have a Methodist background or are affiliated with another Wesleyan denomination, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Affiliated institutions are also listed as members of the International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU). Some (although not all) are actively involved with the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.