Abeka vs. Bob Jones University Press: Which Traditional Christian Curriculum is Better?

For families seeking a traditional, academically rigorous Christian homeschool curriculum, Abeka and Bob Jones University Press (BJU Press) are the two most well-known names. Both have long histories in Christian education, both are academically strong, and both are used by tens of thousands of homeschooling families. But they have meaningful differences worth understanding before you commit.

  

Overview

Abeka was developed by Pensacola Christian College and reflects a traditional, structured approach to education. It is bright, colorful, and content-rich — often described as one of the most academically accelerated homeschool programs available. Abeka was originally designed for Christian schools and has been adapted for home use. BJU Press was developed by Bob Jones University and is also academically strong, but it takes a slightly less accelerated approach with more emphasis on critical thinking and application. BJU Press is known for its high-quality design, biblical integration, and readability.

Academic Level and Pacing

Abeka is widely regarded as being one to two grade levels ahead of public school standards. This is a significant advantage for families who want their children to be academically advanced, but it can also be overwhelming for children who struggle with academics or who are behind grade level. BJU Press is academically rigorous but paced more moderately. It tends to be a better fit for children who are at or near grade level and who benefit from a more gradual introduction of concepts.

Teaching Style

Abeka offers a video school option where students watch pre-recorded classroom instruction, making it more independent. The printed curriculum also comes with detailed teacher's guides. The program is highly structured with very little flexibility — every day is planned out. BJU Press offers Distance Learning (video-based) and printed curriculum. The teacher's guides are excellent and include discussion questions, activities, and differentiation suggestions. It generally feels slightly more flexible and engaging than Abeka.

Pricing

Full-grade Abeka printed packages run $150–$400 per year. Video school programs run $600–$1,200 per year. BJU Press curriculum packages run $200–$500 per year for printed materials. Distance Learning programs cost $500–$1,000 per subject per year.

Verdict

Abeka is the better fit for academically advanced children and families who want a highly structured, accelerated program. BJU Press is the better choice for families who want rigorous academics with a more thoughtful, balanced pace and stronger critical thinking components. Both are excellent programs with strong biblical integration. The most common advice among experienced homeschoolers is to request samples from both before purchasing, as the feel of each curriculum is quite different in practice.