The landscape of American religious higher education is shifting. Small, long-established liberal arts institutions with denominational ties are closing under financial pressure — a notable example is Birmingham-Southern College, which awarded its final degrees in May 2026 after 168 years. At the same time, large congregations are launching new colleges that emphasize job-focused programs and immersion in church life rather than a broad liberal arts curriculum. These new ventures often rely on major donors, local church infrastructure and partnerships with existing universities to get started.
That contrast — venerable colleges shutting their doors while church-rooted start-ups expand — highlights a debate about what higher education should deliver and who should pay for it. Advocates argue these schools meet practical needs by training students for ministry, leadership and business roles within church ecosystems. Skeptics raise concerns about accreditation, transferability of credits, access to federal aid and whether close ties to one congregation limit institutional oversight.
Why megachurches are entering higher education
Large churches see tangible advantages in operating a college. With weekly attendance numbers in the tens of thousands and expansive campus networks, megachurches can recruit students from an existing base, secure donations for facilities, and create pipelines of staff and volunteers trained in the church’s particular style. For example, Highlands College grew from the Church of the Highlands and now serves students who receive practical ministry training alongside academic coursework. Major gifts—from donors such as David Green of Hobby Lobby and tech-sector donors like Roger Bringmann—have funded residence halls and new complexes, enabling rapid physical growth.
Franchise-style partnerships and accreditation
A key development making church colleges easier to launch is a franchise-like model in which an accredited university partners with local churches to deliver degrees. Southeastern University in Florida has partnered with more than 200 churches to provide accredited coursework while the local church supplies practicum and community integration. These arrangements can offer an accredited pathway for church-affiliated colleges, but not all new schools seek regional accreditation. Some instead pursue alternative religious accreditation, which can limit credit transfer and exclude students from federal financial aid tied to FAFSA.
Costs, aid and state funding debates
Tuition at these institutions varies widely. Some church colleges set costs comparable to private liberal arts schools, while others aim for lower price points. Highlands College lists total costs near $42,000 per year but reports that many students receive scholarships; other start-ups offer lower sticker prices. Meanwhile, a broader political push has opened doors to state-supported aid for religious institutions in several states. Legal challenges have overturned lines that once blocked theological schools from state-funded programs, and some state officials have signaled they will not enforce constitutional bans on funding religious schools. These shifts raise questions about the appropriate use of public dollars and equal access rules.
Accountability and the single-church model
Many of the newest church colleges are affiliated with a single congregation rather than an entire denomination. That structure creates strong cultural cohesion and easier recruitment, but it can concentrate influence in church leadership. Critics warn that such tight control may produce insular governance or reduced academic independence. Adam Laats, a historian of Christian education, cautions that public funding for institutions that limit students’ future choices should concern everyone. Proponents counter that church oversight can also drive accountability within a faith community and ensure alignment between training and ministry needs.
What this means for students and the sector
For students seeking direct vocational pathways into ministry, nonprofit leadership, or church-affiliated business roles, these colleges offer an appealing model: intensive practical training, mentorship from experienced church staff, and networks that can lead directly to employment. Yet limitations in accreditation and transferability could constrain those who later decide to pursue graduate study or career paths outside the church network. Policy changes at the federal and state levels — including proposals to tie program eligibility for federal aid to graduate earnings — could further reshape incentives for both traditional and church-linked colleges.
The rise of megachurch colleges is reshaping religious higher education without erasing the challenges that face all small colleges: finances, enrollment and demonstrable returns on investment. Whether these new institutions complement the broader higher education ecosystem or create new fault lines around funding and quality will depend on regulatory choices, accreditation paths, and how transparently these schools communicate risks and benefits to prospective students.
