Nonsectarian, in its most literal sense, refers to a lack of sectarianism. The term is also more narrowly used to describe private educational institutions or other organizations not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious denomination.

Examples of private universities that identify themselves as nonsectarian include Brandeis University, Kwansei Gakuin University, and Northwestern University. Private primary and secondary schools also self-identified as nonsectarian include Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School in New York (the oldest nonsectarian school in the U.S.), Friends School Mullica Hill in New Jersey, and The Pembroke Hill School in Missouri.

Organizations that are explicitly nonsectarian include the Apex Clubs of Australia, those participating in the Ethical Culture Movement, the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, and the Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia.

An institution or organization will often describe itself as nonsectarian in cases where it was founded by those affiliated with a particular religion, or was named in a way that implies an affiliation.

Philosophical terminology | Education policy | Pluralism