Best Online Christian Colleges

A private liberal arts college in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University (SEU) is home to more than 5,800 students and is the largest college in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. The school is also one of the largest Christian online colleges in the Sunshine State, with its distance education program offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in behavioral and social sciences, business, criminal justice, ministry, education, and digital media. From organizational leadership and business administration to elementary education and human services, SEU’s degree programs emphasize the intersection of professional ethics, community building, and Christian values, and trains graduates to become effective servant leaders in their fields. Though the school is Pentecostal, SEU accepts students from all Christian denominations.

All SEU online learners receive a mandatory orientation acclimating them to virtual education. Most of the school’s undergraduate degrees are completed in roughly four years of full-time study, while graduate programs take 12-24 months to complete, depending on course load. SEU arranges many of its degree programs in a cohort format, and online students move through a sequences of courses together while building deeper academic and professional relationships among peers. Most online courses are asynchronous and allow students to complete work on their own schedule.

Many programs, particularly master’s degrees, include a hands-on practicum experience to provide students professional experience in their area of study. While most practicums can be completed locally, some require students to be on-campus or international. For example, students pursuing the master’s program in international community development participate in a week-long international practicum in El Salvador to gain a wider perspective of the field.

Basic Info
Location(s): Lakeland, Florida
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1935
Affiliation: Assemblies of God
Annual enrollment: 5,800
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 20-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, College of Arts & Media, Jannetides College of Business & Entrepreneurial Leadership, College of Education, Barnett College of Ministry & Theology, College of Natural & Health Science
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): SACSCOC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Tuition: Per credit

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships & grants
Eligibility: Merit-bases & needs-based

Contact
School phone: (844) 738-7381
School email: online@seu.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Founded in 1928 in Fullerton, CA, Hope International University (HIU) is non-denominational online Christian university in the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ tradition. Today the school serves more than 2,000 students on-campus and online from many different Christian denominations. HIU offers five undergraduate degrees online, including an associate of arts, and bachelor’s programs in four areas of liberal studies: teacher preparation, business administration, Christian ministry, and human development.

The associate of arts program introduces students to the fundamentals of arts, sciences, and biblical ethics, and graduates transfer seamlessly into any of HIU’s bachelor’s programs. The bachelor’s degree in teacher preparation builds a base of knowledge for future educators, and juniors and seniors may enroll in graduate level education courses, earning up to nine credits that count toward a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. The Christian ministry program prepares graduates for church leadership roles with courses in theology. Students in the business administration program may complete their degree in a unique accelerated format that allows them to finish in just three years, rather than the typical four. The human development degree emphasizes Christian values in the counseling and helping professions, with two concentrations available in either community mental health or family studies.

HIU offers several graduate degree programs in education, counseling, business administration, and church music, among others. Some programs -- such as general management and counseling psychology -- are available fully online. Others use a hybrid format that requires students to complete some coursework on-campus in addition to online classes. Degree candidates who are unfamiliar with online learning can sample a free online demo course through the HIU website. The demo provides a general sense of online course structuring and helps students determine their preparedness for online work.

Basic Info
Location(s): Fullerton, California
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1928
Affiliation: Restoration Movement and Churches of Christ
Annual enrollment: 1,532
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 9-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Management, College of Education, Pacific Christian College of Ministry & Biblical Studies, College of Psychology & Counseling
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): WASC, CCCU

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Canvas
Tuition: Per unit
Prior learning credits: Significant life or educational experiences

Financial Aid
Veterans' benefits: Reduced tuition

Contact
School phone: (888) 352-HOPE
School email: hiuadmissions@hiu.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Warner is a private liberal arts college based in Lake Wales, Florida and affiliated with the Church of God. Serving around 1,200 students annually through both on-campus and online programs, Warner ranks as one of the top online accredited Christian colleges in the region, with full accreditation status from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

At the associate degree level, degrees are available in general studies or church ministry. Online learners pursuing a bachelor’s degree choose from programs in business administration, educational studies, healthcare management, and transformational Christian ministry. Graduate students, meanwhile, can choose from programs in business administration, educational studies, management, and ministry. Graduate students complete their program in 16-36 months, while undergraduate degrees take four years. Warner offers a generous credit transfer policy, and students with previous college experience can transfer some credits to complete their degree more quickly. Professionals with relevant training or certifications in their field of study may be able to earn credit from experience.

Warner is dedicated to the integration and application of Christian values in public life, and the school offers several grants and tuition discounts for undergraduate or graduate applicants employed in public service industries. Professionals in law enforcement, fire safety, emergency services, civil air patrol, and corrections receive a public service scholarship automatically upon enrollment in any program. Active duty service members and veterans are also eligible for tuition reductions and other benefits. For current ministers, ministry associates, parachurch workers, and lay ministers, Warner offers church service grants to reduce the cost of tuition. Finally, Florida Hospital employees receive a tuition grant upon enrollment. The hospital grant is available to both full- and part-time students, though part-time students receive prorated funding that depends upon course load.

Basic Info
Location(s): Lake Wales, Florida
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1968
Affiliation: Church of God
Annual enrollment: 1,100
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 15-to-1

Academics
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): SACSCOC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Tuition: Per credit (part-time) & per semester (full-time)
Prior learning credits: DSST, CLEP, Advanced Placement, & International Baccalaureate

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarship, grants, & loans
Eligibility: Merit-based & needs-based

Contact
School phone: (863) 638-1426
School email: adultadmissions@warner.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

As one of eight Christian liberal arts colleges affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) primarily enrolls students from Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and parts of Nevada and Utah. The college operates a main campus in Nampa, ID, along with satellite programs in Boise, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. NNU offers a robust online program, as well, with more than a dozen degrees from the associate to doctoral level. NNU is a major advocate for adult education, and enrolls around 2,000 traditional students and more than 6,000 in continuing education programs. The school is also one of the top online Christian universities in the region, with an esteemed alumni list that includes NASA astronaut Richard Hieb, mystery author Donna Fletcher Crow, and Idaho First Lady Lori Otter.

Associate degrees are available in education, Christian studies, and accounting; and bachelor’s degrees are offered in liberal studies, Christian ministry, nursing, and business administration. At the graduate level, students select from pastoral ministry, missional leadership, spiritual formation, and youth and family ministry. NNU also offers graduate degrees in nursing and educational leadership, and a doctoral program in educational leadership with optional concentrations in building administrator and superintendent. Most of NNU’s degrees are available in a fully online, asynchronous format, requiring no visits to campus -- degree candidates complete coursework around their own work and home schedules. Due to the online program’s flexibility, many of NNU’s students are internationally-based, and online learning provides a cross-cultural communication uncommon in most distance education programs.

Basic Info
Location(s): Nampa, Idaho
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1913
Affiliation: Church of the Nazarene
Annual enrollment: 2,000+
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 15-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Graduate Studies, School of Business, & School of Theology and Christian Ministries
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): NWCCU, CCCU

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous and synchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Canvas
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: CLEP, DANTES, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, & credit by examination

Contact
School phone: (877) NNU-4YOU
School email: admissions@nnu.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

A small private evangelical school aligned with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Crown College is home to 1,200 students on a campus 30 minutes west of Minneapolis, MN. The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities ranks Crown among the most affordable online Christian colleges in the Midwest, with a tuition rate between 20-40% lower than comparable schools in region. Crown graduates have achieved regional, national, and international success, and the school counts Minnesota state legislator Peggy Bennett and Veggie Tales creators Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer among its alumni.

Crown offers a range of online undergraduate degrees, including associate degrees in business, Christian ministry, and general studies. Eleven bachelor’s degrees are available, including programs in global and cultural studies, alcohol and drug counseling, and disaster and emergency management. All undergraduate programs require students to take a Christian studies core of 15-21 credits, and cover global and ethical leadership, apologetics and Christian evidences, biblical literature, biblical interpretation, and systematic theology. The curriculum also includes a general education core in the liberal arts and humanities.

Crown’s online graduate programs include business administration, Christian studies, counseling, global leadership, ministry leadership, organizational leadership, and the popular Master of Divinity degree. Many of the school’s master’s programs offer a selection of emphases, including pastoral counseling, disaster and emergency management, international Christian education, and church development. Some degree and emphasis options require specific prerequisites: students who concentrate in church development or ministry leadership must have at least 12 undergraduate credits in bible and theological studies, while business administration requires students have at least six undergraduate credits in corporate finance and financial accounting.

Basic Info
Location(s): Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1916
Affiliation: Christian and Missionary Alliance
Annual enrollment: 1,300
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 18-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Online Studies & Graduate School
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC, CCCU

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Part-time & full-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Military training

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships & grants
Eligibility: Merit-based & needs-based

Contact
School phone: (952) 446-4100
School email: admissions@crown.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Based in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College (SC) is a private Methodist school with an enrollment of just 1,900 students. The college’s small size leads to classes of just under 15 students, which allows for personalized attention from faculty, even in online courses. SC offers online degrees through its Professional Studies department, with eight start dates throughout the year to accommodate working students. The school has graduate and undergraduate online programs in fields like business and leadership, education, healthcare, social sciences, ministry, security and safety, and technology. Specialized online certificates for undergrads are available in areas including cybercrime investigation, homeland security, and operational management, while graduate students can pursue certificates in emergency planning, enterprise risk management, and executive leadership. SC’s online courses use a six-week format to provide flexible scheduling. For certain specialized degrees -- including nursing and education -- some courses may be longer than six weeks.

All students receive a personal academic success coach who offers academic advice and connects students with campus resources. Coaches assist with course selection, study habits, career goals, and enrollment, and help students identify problem areas and collaborate on solutions. Online students also receive support from the SC Writing Center, where web-based tutoring sessions help students develop their writing and become critical editors of their own work. The Writing Center also offers 24/7 access to the SC Online Resource Center, and includes comprehensive writing resources and links to specialized tutorials. After graduation, students may use the SC Career Center for resources such as networking opportunities, career direction assessments, job research, and resume help.

Basic Info
Location(s): Winfield, Kansas
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1885
Affiliation: United Methodist
Annual enrollment: 1,900
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 9-to-1

Academics
Degree types: Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous and synchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Advanced Placement, CLEP, DSST

Financial Aid
Types: Grants & scholarships
Eligibility: Merit-based & needs-based
Veterans' benefits: Tuition discount

Contact
School phone: (800) 846-1543
School email: enrollment@sckans.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Founded in 1948 and affiliated with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union, Ohio Christian University (OCU) is one of the top online accredited Christian colleges in the Midwest. Over 4,000 students pursue religious and professional education across campuses in Ohio, Georgia, and online. The school’s online program offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in several areas, including business, criminal justice, ministry, nursing, psychology and substance abuse counseling. Undergraduate programs include data analytics, information technology, human services, and political science, while OCU offers advanced degrees in either business administration or ministry. OCU also has a dual degree option for students to earn an MBA and master of arts in ministry simultaneously. This program develops ministers to serve as financial leaders for their church, or alternately, business leaders to incorporate Christian principles and ethics into business decision-making.

OCU’s online courses employ a cohort format in which students take one course at a time in the same sequence. All courses are offered asynchronously and students can log-in at any time to access course material. While there are set dates for assignment completion, students aren’t required to log on at specific times or participate in live class meetings, which is ideal for working adults who need maximum flexibility. All courses use a fully online format, and students can earn their degree without ever visiting campus. As an incentive to adult students, OCU offers credit for prior learning opportunities for all online programs. Students with relevant experience (such as professional certifications or military experience) receive academic credit and complete their degree faster. With prior learning credits, transfer credits, or the right selection of courses, students can complete their degree in as little as two years.

Basic Info
Location(s): Circleville, Ohio
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1948
Affiliation: Churches of Christ in Christian Union
Annual enrollment: 4,000
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 10-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: School of Business & Government, College of Adult & Graduate Studies
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: e360
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Military training, sponsored pastoral training, & Prior Learning Assessment

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships
Eligibility: Needs-based
Veterans' benefits: Discounted tuition

Contact
School phone: (877) 762-8669
School email: enroll@ohiochristian.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Ottawa University (OU) is an accredited online Christian college with campuses throughout Kansas, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The school also offers online programs via three schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the Angell Snyder School of Business, and the School of Education. OU’s online programs are available at both the bachelor’s and master’s level, and include English, history, human resources, public safety, and addictions counseling. All programs feature coursework fully online and students can complete their entire degree without ever setting foot on an Ottawa campus. While degrees can be earned at home, certain degrees include state licensure or certification pathways that don’t transfer to all U.S. states. OU’s programs in addiction counseling, nursing, elementary education, and secondary education lead to state licensure in Arizona and Kansas, but program curriculum may not meet requirements for other states. Applicants should contact their state licensure authority to determine if OU meets local degree requirements.

OU pairs all online degree candidates with a personal student success team, which consists of an enrollment advisor, academic advisor, and financial advisor. The enrollment advisor helps navigate the enrollment process and connects with the other members of the success team. The academic coach is responsible for a student’s academic progress, and assists with everything from course selection to degree planning to career coaching. Finally, the financial advisor offers strategies to pay for tuition and identifies financial aid, grant, and scholarship opportunities. For applicants uncertain about taking online courses, OU offers a free demo to experience the online learning platform. The demo explores all the major features of OU’s Blackboard online platform, including class discussions, assignments, and communications with peers and faculty.

Basic Info
Location(s): Ottawa, Kansas
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1865
Affiliation: American Baptist Churches
Annual enrollment: 4,000+
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 18-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: Angell Snyder School of Business, School of Education, School of Arts & Sciences, School of Health & Applied Sciences
Degree types: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships, grants, & loans
Eligibility: Merit-based
Veterans' benefits: Tuition assistance

Contact
School phone: (855) 774-7714
School email: admiss.kc@ottawa.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Founded in 1858 in Baldwin City, KS, Baker is the oldest college founded in the state. Today the school has grown to more than 3,000 students, with a substantial online program and satellite campuses that serve nontraditional learners in cities across the state. Baker ranks among the top Christian online colleges in the region, and graduates have found success in business, journalism, the arts, and the church. Some of the school’s notable alumni include Panda Express co-founder Andrew Cherng, New York Times bestselling author Candice Millard, and jazz singer Kevin Mahogany. Baker offers online degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate level in liberal arts, education, sports management, and healthcare administration, among many others. The school organizes courses into 6-8 week modules, which keeps scheduling flexible and allows students finish their degrees more quickly.

For students unfamiliar with academic writing, Baker offers several writing resources, including online tutorials, quizzes, guides, and curriculum rubrics that outline professors’ expectations of student writing. One-on-one tutoring through the Baker student portal is also available, where writers submit assignments for feedback or ask questions about academic writing. Students receive asynchronous, personalized, and flexible tutoring through the student portal, as well. The college provides full access to library services, including full-text databases, academic journals, eBooks, and a range of other study materials. Newly enrolled students take advantage of an online library tutorial that outlines the major resources available. Librarians also offer individualized assistance with research and other library functions.

Basic Info
Location(s): Baldwin City, Kansas
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1858
Affiliation: Methodist Church
Annual enrollment: 2,900
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 13-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Professional & Graduate Studies, School of Education
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Moodle
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Military training, CLEP, & DSST

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships
Eligibility: Merit-based, needs-based

Contact
School phone: (785) 594-6451
School email: admission@bakerU.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) has provided a Lutheran liberal arts education to students for more than 125 years. Based in Mequon, WI, the school also operates programs in partnership with Concordia Ann Arbor in Michigan. CUW offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in their online programs, with many in healthcare and human services. Available programs include occupational therapy, family nurse practitioner, healthcare management, education, theology, and business. At the graduate level, CUW’s MBA program features several concentration options in which degree candidates can specialize in fields such as accounting, environmental studies, nonprofit management, and sport and entertainment business. Students with an associate degree and currently employed in the healthcare field can take advantage of the school’s bachelor’s degree completion programs in nursing, diagnostic medical sonography, and radiologic technology. Students may transfer up to 90 credits toward their bachelor’s, and a degree can be completed in as little as a year and a half.

CUW provides personal, academic, and spiritual support to each student. As a result, each online student receives a support specialist to help navigate CUW’s distance education platform, make effective course selections, keep track of important dates and deadlines, and stay informed about scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. They also help students maintain a balance between school and personal obligations. Before and after graduation, online learners also receive support from CUW’s Department of Career Services. Career counselors help students (via Skype) develop resumes and cover letters, conduct mock interviews, and connect them to alumni groups and other professionals for networking opportunities.

Basic Info
Location(s): Mequon, Wisconsin
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1881
Affiliation: Lutheran Church‐Missouri Synod
Annual enrollment: 7,721
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 11-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: School of Arts & Sciences, Batterman School of Business, School of Education, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: CLEP, & DSST

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships and grants
Eligibility: Merit-based, needs-based

Contact
School phone: (262) 243-5700
School email: onlineadmissions@cuw.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Gardner-Webb University, a Baptist institution founded in 1905, is located about 50 miles west of Charlotte, NC. The school serves more than 4,000 students annually on-campus, and through its continuing education and online programs. The GWU population represents 40 U.S. states and 15 different countries.

GWU offers undergraduate degree completion programs in accounting, Christian ministry, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, computer information systems, and nursing. These programs require students to hold at least 48 transferable credits from an accredited institution, which are applied toward a bachelor’s degree. The school maintains partnerships with several North Carolina community colleges, which allows associate degree holders from participating institutions to transfer seamlessly into GWU’s online programs. While eight degree programs are available entirely online, all include optional campus components for students interested in some in-person courses. Several more degrees can be completed in a blended format, which mixes online courses with some required campus courses or class sessions. Completion programs are available at the bachelor’s level only, and no four-year degrees are available entirely online.

GWU offers graduate programs in business, English, education, nursing, and sports education, along with graduate certificates in nursing administration, nursing education, and school administration. An MBA with certification is also available for graduates who wish to teach college business courses upon completion of their degree. All graduate degrees are available fully online courses, though business students may take some courses on campus. The nursing and education degrees also require candidates to complete professional internships or practicum experiences in their own community. Online learners build professional experience through these courses, while also blending theory with practice.

Basic Info
Location(s): Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1905
Affiliation: Baptist Church
Annual enrollment: 4,500
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 13-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Godbold School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Education, School of Psychology and Counseling
Degree types: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): SACSCOC

Distance Learning
Format: Online & hybrid
Instruction style: Asynchronous and synchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Prior Learning Assessment for degree completion students
State restrictions: California, Massachusetts

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships
Eligibility: Merit-based & needs-based
Veterans' benefits: Scholarships

Contact
School phone: (704) 406-4000
School email: admissions@gardner-webb.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Founded in 1864, Concordia University-Chicago (CUC) is a private Lutheran college with an annual enrollment of around 5,200 students. The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked the school as one of the fastest-growing master’s degree institutions, and CUC’s online learning platform is a major part of that growth. More than 40% of graduate students opt for an online degree, while an array of programs from the undergraduate to doctoral level can be completed fully online.

CUC’s bachelor’s degrees are accelerated completion programs, and require students to transfer at least 30 credit hours from an accredited community college or other institution. The college accepts up to 67 transfer credits, which may allow students to complete their degree in two years or less. Entrants to the bachelor’s program can earn up to 32 credits for prior learning activities such as professional workshops, training seminars, military service, or other relevant work experience. Applicants must provide documentation of college-level learning, which CUC evaluates and translates into academic credit.

Two dozen graduate degree programs are available, including applied exercise science, gerontology, granting writing, sports leadership, and gender studies. CUC also offers an expansive MBA program with 10 concentration options, like digital marketing, finance, accounting, sports management. Online learners complete most graduate programs in 24 months or less, and many include the option to take campus courses. For advanced students, CUC offers 13 doctoral programs, such as educational leadership, gerontology, business administration, and organizational leadership. Most Ph.D. programs take three years to complete, though students may be able to finish faster depending on course load and previously earned credits. While all degrees are available fully online, many of CUC’s master’s and doctoral programs include practicum experiences that students must complete at professional organizations in their community.

Basic Info
Location(s): River Forest, Illinois
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1864
Affiliation: Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Annual enrollment: 5,603
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 15-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Graduate and Innovative Programs
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: Workshops, seminars, military service, corporate training programs, or other experiences

Financial Aid
Types: Loans, grants
Eligibility: Merit-based

Contact
School phone: (708) 771-8300
School email: admission@cuchicago.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

As a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, North Greenville University (NGU) occupies a small rural campus just outside of Greenville, NC. The school ranks among the top Christian online colleges in the region and offers six bachelor’s degrees online: business administration, Christian ministries, criminal justice, elementary education studies, general studies, and psychology. Designed for students over age 22, these are flexible, self-directed programs to accommodate working professionals.

While all coursework is available fully online, NGU emphasizes hands-on learning experiences. Each degree includes an internship or practicum in a professional setting where students draw connections between program learning and actual practice. These take place within local communities, and students gain experience without having to travel. For example, ministry majors perform service at their churches, while elementary education students intern at local public schools. Each program includes 30 credits of core courses in biblical studies and general education requirements, and include composition, history, literature, and sciences. NGU arranges courses in an eight-week format, which allows students to earn credits quickly and take time off as their schedules necessitate.

NGU strives for a student-centered learning experience and provides a wealth of resources to support online learners. In-depth tutorials are available for the Blackboard online platform, with videos that explain all major aspects of the system. The library offers a wide selection of research materials and other resources, and online academic advisors coach degree candidates on every aspect of their education. Additionally, students have access to online chapel streams to include them in community events and prayer services.

Basic Info
Location(s): Tigerville, South Carolina
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1891
Affiliation: South Carolina Baptist Convention
Annual enrollment: 2,481
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 14-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Business & Sport Professions, College of Christian Studies, College of Communication, College of Education, College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities, College of Science Math
Degree types: Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctorate
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): SACSCOC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per semester

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships, grants
Eligibility: Merit-based

Contact
School phone: (864) 977-7000
School email: Admissions@ngu.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

A Southern Baptist liberal arts college based in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University (CBU) serves more than 9,000 students. Its online program is geared toward working adults, and every facet is designed to offer maximum flexibility and convenience. Courses start every eight weeks and take place year-round, which gives students the ability to learn at their leisure and complete a degree at their own pace. CBU also offers flexible courses, and degree candidates may complete their degree fully online or through a hybrid style that includes some evening on-campus courses. The school maintains several convenient educational service centers in Brea, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside and Temecula. Online learners receive also benefit from access to the career center, virtual tutoring, dedicated personal enrollment counselors, and student service advisors who offer live online academic advising.

CBU offers one of the broadest catalogs of online majors. Delivered via Blackboard, available degrees include logistics and operations management, graphic design, communication studies, and kinesiology. Many of CBU’s bachelor’s degrees are completion programs, in which students transfer credit from an associate degree or previously completed undergraduate coursework and apply it toward their bachelor’s. Students in this track can complete their degrees faster than traditional undergraduate programs. The school offers a generous credit transfer policy, and students can transfer up to 100 credits toward their undergraduate degree. At all degree levels, online learners in CBU’s accelerated curriculum typically graduate in about half the time compared to other colleges. Master’s degree candidates, for example, usually complete their degree in one year, compared to two or more years at other colleges.

Basic Info
Location(s): Riverside, California
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1950
Affiliation: Baptist Church
Annual enrollment: 9,157
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 17-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: College of Architecture, Visual Arts, & Design, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Health Science, College of Nursing, School of Behavioral Sciences, School of Business, School of Christian Ministries, School of Education, School of Music, Online & Professional Studies
Degree types: Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): WASC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Platform: Blackboard
Tuition: Per semester
Prior learning credits: Military experience, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP, & Dantes

Financial Aid
Types: Grants & scholarships
Eligibility: Merit-based & needs-based
Veterans' benefits: Scholarships

Contact
School phone: (877) 228-3615
School email: CBUonline@Calbaptist.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter

Based in McPherson, KS, Central Christian College of Kansas (CCCK) is an evangelical institution in the Free Methodist Church. The school’s online program offers an associate of arts and an associate of arts in criminal justice, along with bachelor’s programs in healthcare administration, business organizational leadership, psychology, business administration, criminal justice, and ministry leadership. CCCK’s tuition is cheaper than many comparable online Christian colleges, and the school includes all textbooks in the cost of tuition, which allows students to save even further. Online programs also maintain a flat tuition rate per credit hour, so costs never fluctuate between different courses or programs. Students also receive personal support from a dedicated Student Success Advisor, who offers help from enrollment to graduation, and even post-graduation. Advisors connect students with campus resources, help devise study and degree plans, highlight additional education and networking opportunities, and assist with job preparation.

All bachelor’s programs include a 36 credit core, where students are grounded in the liberal arts, critical thinking, and communication skills. The CCCK curriculum also includes 12 credits in Christian worldview courses, 18 credits in general electives, and the remaining 54 credits dedicated to courses in the student’s major. All programs are fully online and asynchronous, which lets students complete work on their own schedule without needing to log-on for designated class meetings. The school offers several start dates throughout the year, and most courses are just six weeks long. CBU offers a flexible credit transfer policy, and admission requires just a high school diploma or GED and a 2.0 GPA.

Basic Info
Location(s): McPherson, Kansas
Classification: Private
Year founded: 1884
Affiliation: Free Methodist Church of North America
Average student-to-faculty ratio: 9-to-1

Academics
Schools/Colleges: Departments
Degree types: Associate & Bachelor’s
Term system: Semesters
Accrediting body (or bodies): HLC

Distance Learning
Format: Online
Instruction style: Asynchronous
Enrollment options: Full-time & part-time
Tuition: Per credit
Prior learning credits: CLEP

Financial Aid
Types: Scholarships
Eligibility: Need-based and merit-based
Veterans' benefits: Discounted tuition and scholarships

Contact
School phone: (800) 835-0078
School email: admissions@centralchristian.edu
Social media accounts: Facebook