In January, Sattler College stopped charging tuition. The Christian college in Boston, named for the 16th-century Anabaptist martyr Michael Sattler, now operates on an “entrustment model,” relying on alumni and donors’ support.
Zack Johnson, president of the 6-year-old college, said in an interview that he wants to get away from treating education as a transactional relationship. Students trust the institution to teach and form them, so he wants to see education as a “living, breathing relationship.”
Sattler currently has 66 students and an annual budget of about $6 million. It’s accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education.
Although the college has no denominational affiliation, most of its students come from conservative Anabaptist churches. Others are from evangelical, apostolic and Church of Christ back-grounds.
Sattler’s website says it wants “dedication, not debt” from its students. Entrustment allows students to focus on their studies and to give back when they are able.
The entrustment model was inspired by the “Hope Forward” program at Hope College in Holland, Mich., which is raising funds so that more students will be able to attend tuition-free.
Johnson is also influenced by his experience as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy, which does not charge tuition. He graduated from the academy in 2015.
“I had a tremendous experience being selected for pure investment,” said Johnson, who’s now a conscientious objector to military service. “And then in return, you’re expected to serve with your life.”
He sees Sattler as investing in the kingdom of God by offering tuition- free education. After their college experience, Sattler students are expected to serve Christ and the church and to give back as they can.
Sattler used to charge $9,000 a semester. But finances are often a barrier for students. Many are the first in their family to go to college and must support themselves.
Sattler does not accept federally funded student aid, preferring that education be funded by the Christian community rather than using government funds that may be subject to regulations. Filling out an application for federal aid requires students to register with Selective Service.
Before coming to Sattler, sophomore student Hannah Watson worked nearly full time and took classes at a community college. It was hard to give full attention to her coursework. She finds relief in Sattler’s entrustment model. Having the time and freedom to focus on her classes without having to worry about tuition is a “huge, huge deal.”
“I’m glad that I’m valuable enough that [Sattler] want[s] to pour resources into me,” Watson said in the Dec. 5, 2023, edition of the Sattler College podcast. “I love that I’m being invested in, and then I want to give back.”
Students still must pay for housing. Many work full time over the summer and save their earnings for living expenses.
Sattler values discipleship and community. Students take part in Journey groups, weekly discipleship clusters that focus on their spiritual lives. Scheduled tea breaks encourage fellowship.
Sattler offers five majors: religious and biblical studies, business, computer science, history and human biology.
The core curriculum includes biblical Hebrew and Greek, classic and other significant texts, Bible and Christian doctrines, humanities and science.
“The questions asked by classical writers still resonate,” wrote student Bryant Miller in 2020 on Sattler’s website. Miller, who graduated in 2022 with a degree in human biology, now works in a lab at a hospital in Boston. He is hoping to begin graduate school applications.
“Studying the classics enables a more thoughtful and winsome ability to communicate the gospel,” he said.
Academic dean Hans Leaman said in an interview that the purpose of studying the classics is not to promote Western culture as better than others but to help students see where Christianity fits into it. This can “give students a lot more confidence in engaging the competing ideas that are out there in the public today,” he said.
Leaman was delighted to find that Sattler’s students from Kenya enjoy reading the classics and that they are some of the best contributors to discussions.
With a goal to recruit students from every livable continent, Sattler hopes to open the door wider by not charging tuition.
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