Asbury Theological Seminary

What Asbury Theological Seminary does

Asbury Theological Seminary is a private, nonprofit theological seminary founded in 1923 by H.C. Morrison in Wilmore, Kentucky. It delivers accredited graduate theological education across the Wesleyan tradition, serving 1,700+ students drawn from more than 80 denominations and 40 countries. The institution offers a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs—M.Div., M.A. specializations, D.Min., Ph.D. (Biblical Studies, Intercultural Studies, and a new Theology/Wesley Studies track), Th.M.—plus certificates in Church Multiplication, Pastoral Care, Christian Ministry, and Anglican Studies. Asbury holds dual SACSCOC and ATS accreditation (both reaffirmed through 2035), CACREP accreditation for its M.A. counseling programs, and state authorizations in Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida. Source materials describe it as the largest seminary in the Wesleyan tradition globally, with 13,000+ graduates serving in ministry worldwide.

The institution's core technology stack is built around the Canvas learning management system, supporting online course delivery and a hybrid intensive format that combines asynchronous online coursework with periodic in-person sessions at extension sites and church-based locations. The Asbury Seminary Global platform, launched in 2020, formalized this hybrid model and now underpins the Texas Woodlands Partnership with The Woodlands Methodist Church and other distributed delivery sites beyond the Wilmore headquarters campus and the Orlando, Tampa, Memphis, and Tulsa extension sites.

Asbury's revenue model rests on four streams: (1) tuition for graduate programs charged per credit hour ($780 for M.Div./M.A./Th.M., $750 for D.Min., $995 for Ph.D.), (2) recurring technology and student services fees plus a one-time graduation fee, (3) on-campus housing for single students, families, and pet-friendly accommodations, and (4) charitable donations managed by the Office of Advancement across the Wesley Fund, planned giving, matching gifts, and endowed scholarships. Critically, tuition covers only 67% of the true cost of education, and 80% of students receive some form of financial aid with 400+ scholarships awarded annually, making institutional fundraising structural rather than discretionary. Go-to-market combines denominational partnerships (most prominently recommended institution status with the Global Methodist Church), church planting networks, alumni referrals from the 13,000+ ambassador base, and direct enrollment advisor outreach through on-site, virtual, and Experience Asbury Day visits.

Name

Asbury Theological Seminary

Legal name

Asbury Theological Seminary

Website

https://asburyseminary.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Asbury Theological Seminary is a private, multi-denominational Wesleyan-tradition seminary founded in 1923 serving 1,700+ students from 80+ denominations through accredited graduate theological degrees (M.Div., M.A., D.Min., Ph.D., Th.M.) delivered across five U.S. campus locations via residential, hybrid, and online formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Seminary programs
• Graduate divinity degrees
• Pastoral ministry training
• Biblical studies education

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilmore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Graduate Programs: Asbury Theological Seminary generates primary revenue through tuition for graduate theological degree programs. Tuition rates are charged per credit hour with varying rates by degree level. M.Div. and M.A. programs at $780/credit hour, D.Min at $750/credit hour, Th.M. at $780/credit hour, and Ph.D. at $995/credit hour.
2. Donations and Gifts: The Office of Advancement manages charitable donations including the Wesley Fund (immediate budget impact), planned giving, matching gifts, and endowed scholarships. Donors provide critical financial support to bridge the gap between tuition (67% of true cost) and actual educational costs.
3. Fees - Technology and Student Services: Technology fees ($280/semester), student services fees ($190/semester), and graduation fees ($225 one-time) supplement tuition revenue.
4. Housing Revenue: On-campus housing for single students, family housing, and pet-friendly housing options provide additional revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Asbury Theological Seminary delivers graduate theological education through degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (with multiple specializations), Doctor of Ministry, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy. Programs are delivered via residential study at the Wilmore, Kentucky campus, hybrid formats at five extension sites, and fully online channels, supplemented by specialized centers such as the Asbury Latino Center and the Center for Church Multiplication. The seminary also operates Asbury Seminary Global, a hybrid platform launched in 2020 that combines online learning with short residential intensives at church-based locations.

Product overview

Asbury Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive theological education portfolio consisting of degree programs (Master of Divinity, various Master of Arts specializations, Doctor of Ministry, Ph.D., and Master of Theology), certificate programs (Church Multiplication, Pastoral Care, Christian Ministry, Anglican Studies), and specialized centers including the Asbury Latino Center for Spanish-language programs and the Center for Church Multiplication. Education is delivered through residential study at the Kentucky campus, hybrid formats combining online coursework with periodic intensives at extension sites (Orlando, Tampa, Memphis, Tulsa), or fully online programs. The institution operates Asbury Seminary Global, a hybrid platform launched in 2020 that combines online learning with short residential experiences at convenient church-based locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

Quantifiable outcome

• Largest seminary in the Wesleyan tradition with students from 50+ countries and 80+ denominations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsbury Theological Seminary is a recommended institution for completion of educational requirements for ordination in the Global Methodist Church. The seminary offers multiple pathways for GMC leadership including Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Ministries. GMC clergy on faculty is greater than any other seminary.
• The Woodlands Methodist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Woodlands Partnership providing flexible hybrid theological education rooted in the local church. Students can earn the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries while remaining connected to their church community. The partnership includes generous scholarship opportunities for newly enrolled students.
• Salvation Army Florida DHQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Orlando extension site located at Salvation Army FL DHQ, 2822 S. Alafaya Trail, Suite 130, Orlando, FL 32828.
• Asbury United Methodist Church (Tulsa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTulsa extension site hosted at Asbury Church Development Center on the north side of the Asbury Church property, providing hybrid courses for theological education in the Tulsa area.
• Christ Church MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemphis extension site located on Christ Church Memphis Campus, sharing building with Christ Methodist Day School. Provides hybrid courses supporting multiple degree programs.
• Museum of the BibleminorOthersRobert R. Duke serves as Chief Curatorial Officer and Director of the Scholars Initiative at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. He was newly appointed to the Board of Trustees. Museum houses Dead Sea Scrolls fragments.
• Church of the City New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRonald C. Walborn serves as School of Ministry Director at Church of the City in New York City, working to launch a school of ministry to equip people for ministry in the metro NYC region.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fuller Theological Seminary: Multi-denominational evangelical seminary in Pasadena, CA offering M.Div., M.A., Th.M., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs with residential, hybrid, and online delivery. Closest direct peer to Asbury in scale, denominational breadth, and graduate-theology portfolio.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Evangelical interdenominational seminary with multiple campuses (Charlotte, Hamilton, Jacksonville, Boston) offering M.Div., M.A., Th.M., and D.Min. programs. Comparable in size, denominational breadth, and multi-site delivery model.
• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: Large SBC-affiliated seminary in Louisville, KY offering M.Div., M.A., Th.M., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs. A leading evangelical competitor with significantly larger enrollment, comparable ATS-accredited graduate theology portfolio.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Non-denominational evangelical seminary in Dallas, TX offering Th.M., M.A., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs with a strong dispensational theological tradition. Comparable in graduate-theology depth and doctoral program emphasis.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Large SBC-affiliated seminary in Fort Worth, TX with broad graduate theology and ministry degree offerings. Directly comparable in program scope and evangelical orientation, with substantially larger enrollment.
• Trinity Evangelical Divinity School: Evangelical seminary in Deerfield, IL affiliated with Trinity International University, offering M.Div., M.A., Th.M., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs. Comparable in evangelical identity, ATS accreditation, and graduate-theology portfolio.
• United Theological Seminary: United Methodist-affirming seminary in Dayton, OH, where incoming Asbury president David F. Watson previously served for 19 years. Directly comparable in Methodist/Wesleyan theological tradition, ATS-accredited graduate programs, and degree mix.
• Wesley Biblical Seminary: Wesleyan-Holiness seminary in Jackson, MS offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. programs with online and hybrid delivery. Closest Wesleyan-tradition theological peer and direct competitor in that niche.

Broad incumbents

• Wheaton College Graduate School: Broad evangelical Christian institution in Wheaton, IL with M.A. programs in biblical and theological studies as part of a wider undergraduate-and-graduate portfolio. Overlapping evangelical graduate theology but within a larger university setting.
• Liberty University School of Divinity: Online-first seminary within Liberty University offering M.Div., M.A., D.Min., and Ph.D. programs at low cost with very large enrollment. Overlaps Asbury's online delivery segment and competes for budget-sensitive ministerial candidates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asburyseminary
• Facebookfacebook.com/38047573975
• Instagraminstagram.com/asburyseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asbury-theological-seminary

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asbury Theological Seminary