Carolina University

What Carolina University does

Carolina University is a private, nonprofit, Christ-centered institution headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, operating from a single campus at 420 South Broad Street. The university offers accredited bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs through six academic schools: John Wesley School of Leadership & Innovation, Moore School of Education, Patterson School of Business, Piedmont Divinity School, School of Computing, Applied Science, & Engineering, and School of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Degree programs span theology and ministry (Biblical Studies BA, MDiv, MA in Ministry), business (BBA, MBA with Business Analytics and Marketing concentrations), computer science and data science (BS, MS), criminal justice (BA), education, and leadership. The institution delivers programs both on-campus and fully online, with a Portuguese-language MA Ministry track serving international students who do not travel to the U.S.

The core technology platform is Jenzabar (version 2025.1), a third-party student information system that powers the MyCU student portal (my.carolinau.edu), admissions applications, academic records, transcripts, course schedules, and the campus directory; Coursedog supports the academic catalog. The university markets itself on cost efficiency, claiming average online tuition less than 50% of the national average and noting that over 90% of on-campus students receive scholarships, including a 75% Piedmont Ministry Scholarship for MA Ministry students. Tennessee Temple University Perkins Loans administration is retained as a legacy financial service function.

The business model is tuition-driven, with revenue generated from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral enrollment across online and residential modalities, supplemented by scholarship disbursements (treated as contra-revenue) and federal financial aid administration. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via the carolinau.edu website, online applications, on-campus visits, and school-specific microsites, with a marketing partnership through Westford Education Group extending international recruitment for the MBA. Customer segments include prospective college students, ministry professionals, military and first responders, international students, and dual-enrollment high school students. The institution maintains TRACS accreditation and Title IX compliance, and was formed through the consolidation of seven predecessor colleges, universities, and seminaries including Tennessee Temple University and Piedmont International University.

Name

Carolina University

Legal name

Carolina University

Website

https://carolinau.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Carolina University is a private, nonprofit, Christ-centered university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina offering accredited bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees online and on-campus across six schools including divinity, business, computing, education, and social sciences. It serves traditional students, working adults, ministry professionals, military, and international students at tuition rates below 50% of the national average.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Christian university education
• Online degree programs
• Seminary education
• Undergraduate degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs offered both online and on-campus
2. Scholarships and Financial Aid: Over 90% of on-campus students receive scholarships, with Piedmont Ministry Scholarship offering 75% tuition reduction for MA Ministry students
3. Perkins Loans Administration: Administration of Tennessee Temple University Perkins Loans for eligible students

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carolina University is a private, Christ-centered educational institution that delivers accredited bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs both on-campus at its Winston-Salem, NC headquarters and online worldwide. Programs are organized across six academic schools covering leadership, education, business, divinity, computing/applied science, and social/behavioral sciences, with average online tuition priced below 50% of the national average.

Product overview

Carolina University operates as a Christ-centered institution offering degree programs across multiple schools and divisions. The university's academic portfolio includes undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs primarily in religious studies, business, computing, social sciences, education, and leadership. The institution uses a student information system (Jenzabar) for campus operations and offers online and on-campus educational delivery modes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• John Wesley School of Leadership & Innovation: School focusing on leadership and innovation programs at Carolina University.
• Moore School of Education
• Patterson School of Business
• Piedmont Divinity School
• School of Computing, Applied Science, and Engineering
• School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Piedmont Divinity School (PDS)

Products and services

• John Wesley School of Leadership & Innovation Academic school within Carolina University focused on leadership and innovation studies, offering degree programs that prepare students for leadership roles across sectors.
• Moore School of Education Academic school within Carolina University offering degree programs for students pursuing careers in education.
• Patterson School of Business Academic school within Carolina University offering business degrees including BBA and MBA programs with concentrations in Business Analytics and Marketing, available online and residential.
• Piedmont Divinity School Academic school within Carolina University offering seminary degrees including Master of Divinity (MDiv), MA in Biblical Studies, and MA in Ministry, continuing the legacy of Piedmont Bible Institute founded in 1945.
• School of Computing, Applied Science, & Engineering Academic school within Carolina University offering degree programs in Computer Science (BS), Data Science (MS), and related technical fields.
• School of Social & Behavioral Sciences Academic school within Carolina University offering degree programs including Criminal Justice (BA) and other social and behavioral science programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduation/completion rate of 28% for bachelor's programs (Fall 2019 cohort)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Westford Education GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2020Westford Education Group is a proud partner with Carolina University through their EXEED College arrangement, providing marketing and recruitment support for business programs including the MBA with Marketing concentration.
• Sheriff of Forsyth CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe School of Social & Behavioral Sciences designed its BA in Criminal Justice program in partnership with the Sheriff of Forsyth County, ensuring curriculum aligns with employer demands and prepares graduates for the 21st century criminal justice environment.
• JenzabarcoreTechnology or IntegrationJenzabar provides the student information system platform powering Carolina University's campus operations including the student portal (my.carolinau.edu), admissions applications, academic records, and campus directory. Jenzabar has more than 300 associates in seven regional offices across the United States.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest private, faith-affiliated university in the U.S. with extensive online degree programs and undergraduate through doctoral offerings—directly comparable to Carolina University on faith-based positioning, online scale, and broad program portfolio.
• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit Christian university with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S. Comparable to Carolina University on faith-based identity, online program breadth, and affordability-focused positioning against private nonprofit alternatives.

Direct peers

• Oral Roberts University: Private, charismatic/evangelical Christ-centered university in Tulsa offering undergraduate and graduate programs including seminary training. Closely comparable to Carolina University in faith-based mission, theology offerings, and broad program mix across business and computing.
• Regent University: Private, faith-based university in Virginia Beach with a strong online presence and divinity, business, law, and education schools. Highly comparable to Carolina University on online delivery, divinity school heritage, and graduate/distance learning focus.
• Moody Bible Institute: Faith-based institution focused on biblical and theological education with growing online degree programs. Comparable to Carolina University's Piedmont Divinity School on theological mission, Bible/ministry program design, and online theological delivery.
• Bob Jones University: Private, conservative Christian university in Greenville, SC offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs with a homeschool and online footprint. Highly comparable to Carolina University in mission, denominational identity, and program breadth.
• Southeastern University: Private, Assemblies of God-affiliated university in Lakeland, FL with online degrees and divinity programs. Comparable to Carolina University on Pentecostal/evangelical identity, online growth, and ministry-focused graduate offerings.
• Dallas Baptist University: Private, faith-based Texas university offering undergraduate through doctoral programs with a strong online division. Comparable to Carolina University in Christ-centered identity, online enrollment scale, and ministry/theology anchor programs.
• Azusa Pacific University: Private, evangelical Christian university in California offering programs across education, business, nursing, and theology with growing online options. Comparable to Carolina University on faith-based mission, graduate offerings, and education/divinity anchor programs.

Regional players

• Campbell University: Private North Carolina university offering undergraduate through doctoral programs including divinity and business. Comparable to Carolina University as a regional private university peer in North Carolina with overlapping programs (law, divinity, business, health sciences).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carolina_univ
• Facebookfacebook.com/carolinauniv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carolina-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Carolina University