Colorado Christian University

What Colorado Christian University does

Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a private, nonprofit Christian university founded in 1914 and headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, serving traditional undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate students through both on-campus and online modalities. The institution operates through two primary academic divisions: the College of Undergraduate Studies (residential on-campus programs with 100+ majors, minors, and dual-degree options, NCAA Division II athletics, and a lifestyle covenant culture) and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (100+ fully online degree programs targeting working adults, with specialized support for active-duty military, veterans, and their families). Supporting sub-brands include CCU Academy (dual-credit and dual-enrollment for high school and homeschool students), the School of Music (six majors with NASM accreditation, housed in the Armstrong Center's McDonald Performance Hall), the School of Education (NCTQ 'A'-rated science-of-reading preparation), and the Centennial Institute (conservative policy think tank).

CCU's technology stack centers on a digital learning management environment (Brightspace/myCourses) supporting both asynchronous and synchronous online instruction, a student portal (CCU Connect), a texting-based admissions communications platform (short code 82807), and online enrollment/eForm systems. The newly dedicated Quarry Innovation Lab (October 2025) serves as a collaborative learning space where students engage AI and emerging technology from a Christian worldview, though CCU does not develop proprietary AI models.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition and fees across the four enrollment channels (on-campus undergraduate, online undergraduate/graduate, CCU Academy, and graduate degrees), supplemented by transactional revenue from athletics (RMAC conference, fan merchandise) and School of Music performance tickets, and by philanthropic contributions managed by University Advancement (capital campaigns, endowment, planned giving, gift matching). CCU is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Wil Armstrong, with President Eric K. Hogue as CEO and Dr. David Corbin as Provost. The institution holds HLC and NASM accreditation, has earned Gold Military Friendly status for 14 consecutive years, and self-describes as one of the fastest-growing universities in the United States.

Name

Colorado Christian University

Legal name

Colorado Christian University

Website

https://ccu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Colorado Christian University is a private nonprofit Christian university founded in 1914 in Lakewood, Colorado, serving traditional undergraduates, adult learners, graduate students, military-affiliated students, and high schoolers through 200+ on-campus and online programs, with HLC and NASM accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Online degree programs
• Graduate education services
• Dual enrollment courses
• Private university tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees - On-Campus Undergraduate: Traditional undergraduate students pay tuition for on-campus programs. The College of Undergraduate Studies offers over 100 on-campus program majors, minors, and dual-degree options. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available.
2. Tuition and Fees - Online and Graduate Programs: CCU Online serves adult undergraduate and graduate students with over 100 programs. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers master's, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Reduced tuition rates are available for active-duty military members.
3. CCU Academy - Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment: High school students earn college credit through CCU Academy's dual-credit and online dual-enrollment courses. Registration is open for flexible, Christ-centered courses.
4. Capital Campaigns and Fundraising: CCU conducts capital campaigns for campus development (e.g., Armstrong Center raised over $45 million). The University Advancement office manages donations, endowment contributions, gift matching, and planned giving programs.
5. Special Events and Performance Tickets: CCU's School of Music generates revenue through ticketed performances including the Summer Musical, Fall Play, Christmas Celebration, Spring Musical, and general admission concerts at the McDonald Performance Hall. Special admission pricing applies to major productions.
6. Athletics: CCU Cougars intercollegiate athletics program competes in the RMAC conference. Revenue is generated through athletics-related activities, fan merchandise (via Sideline BSNSports), and recruiting events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Colorado Christian University is a private nonprofit Christian university that delivers higher education through on-campus undergraduate programs (100+ majors, minors, and dual-degree options), 100+ fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs for working adults, graduate degrees (master's, doctoral, certificates), and CCU Academy dual-credit courses for high school students. Every program integrates biblical teaching into the curriculum, and delivery is supported by digital learning systems (Brightspace/myCourses), a student portal, and online enrollment.

Product overview

Colorado Christian University (CCU) offers higher education through a multi-brand portfolio spanning online, on-campus, and hybrid modalities. The institution operates through two primary colleges—the College of Undergraduate Studies (traditional on-campus programs with residence life and athletics) and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies (online and graduate programs). Supporting programs include CCU Academy for dual enrollment, specialized schools including School of Music and School of Education, and distinctive facilities like the Armstrong Center (music and chapel) and Quarry Innovation Lab (technology). Mission-focused initiatives include CCU2theWorld missions program, Honduras Project partnership, and President's Speaker Series. CCU serves traditional undergraduates, adult learners, and graduate students with Christ-centered education rooted in biblical worldview integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCU Online: Online degree programs offered through Colorado Christian University
• College of Undergraduate Studies
• College of Adult and Graduate Studies
• CCU Academy
• CCU2theWorld
• Centennial Institute
• Quarry Innovation Lab

Products and services

• CCU Online Over 100 fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed for busy adults and graduate students seeking purpose-driven, Christ-centered education through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Delivered via the Brightspace/myCourses learning management system with self-service enrollment pathways.
• On-Campus Undergraduate Programs (College of Undergraduate Studies) Traditional residential undergraduate degree programs through the College of Undergraduate Studies, offering over 100 on-campus program majors, minors, and dual-degree options with residence life, campus ministries, and NCAA Division II athletics (CCU Cougars).
• Graduate Degrees Master's, doctoral degree, and certificate programs through CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies designed to advance careers, including specialized tracks for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
• CCU Academy (Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment) High school college credit program offering dual-credit and online dual-enrollment courses for high school and homeschool students seeking flexible, Christ-centered college coursework. Open online registration is available.
• School of Music NASM-accredited School of Music offering six music majors (composition, education, general music, music production and engineering, performance, worship arts) plus minors in music, music theatre, and theatre. Features a state-of-the-art on-campus recording studio and the 500-seat McDonald Performance Hall.
• School of Education Teacher preparation programs including elementary and secondary education, recognized by NCTQ for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading with an 'A' rating.
• Nursing Program Nursing degree program offered as part of CCU's academic portfolio, referenced on the university's main navigation alongside other academic programs.
• Quarry Innovation Lab Collaborative learning space designed to explore the intersection of faith, technology, and human creativity, dedicated to engaging AI and emerging technology through a Christian perspective. Launched alongside the AI for Humanity: Faith & Technology Summit.
• CCU2theWorld International Missions Program International missions program that has sent student-led short-term missionary teams to 65+ countries since 1999, encompassing evangelism, work projects, teaching, and sports outreach across 6 continents.
• Honduras Project (Compassion International Partnership) Partnership initiative with Compassion International supporting children of San Pedro Sula, Honduras through child development center sponsorship and student mission trips. CCU raised over $27,000 to build a new child development center and students sponsor 168 children through the program.
• Centennial Institute Policy research and conservative thought leadership institute hosting events including the Western Conservative Summit and Young Christian Conservatives Leadership Conference.
• President's Speaker Series Signature program bringing national thought leaders, educators, public servants, artists, and politicians to campus to engage the community in conversations aligned with CCU's Christ-centered mission, including Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Steven Curtis Chapman, Pat Gelsinger, Mike Matheny, Hugh Hewitt, Ben Carson, and Jeremy S. Adams.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 consecutive years of Military Friendly recognition, achieving Gold status in 2026-2027
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Christian PostmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025CCU co-hosted the 'AI for Humanity: Faith & Technology Summit' with the Christian Post, convening national leaders in technology, ministry, and higher education to explore how Christians can engage artificial intelligence with biblical conviction and ethical clarity.
• GloomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025CCU co-hosted the 'AI for Humanity: Faith & Technology Summit' with Gloo, a technology platform for the faith and flourishing ecosystem. Pat Gelsinger (former Intel CEO, now Executive Chairman of Gloo) participated as a keynote speaker. Gloo serves over 140,000 faith, ministry, and nonprofit leaders and provides values-based AI research including the Flourishing AI Benchmark.
• Compassion InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Since 2023, CCU has partnered with Compassion International in a University initiative to support children of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. CCU raised over $27,000 to build a new child development center and students now sponsor 168 children enrolled in the program. This partnership integrates Compassion's framework of international, long-term child transformation with CCU's mission of discipleship and leadership development.
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)minorOthersCCU's School of Music is accredited by NASM, which establishes national standards for undergraduate degrees and credentials for music and music-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions engaged in music-related endeavors.
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)minorOthersCCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the regional accreditor for higher education institutions in the United States. HLC accreditation affirms CCU's commitment to meeting rigorous academic standards.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Liberty University: Large private, non-denominational Christian university offering extensive online and on-campus undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs with a faith-integrated curriculum — directly comparable business model, target segments, and delivery channels to CCU.
• Regent University: Private faith-based university with strong online and graduate programs, particularly in education, business, and divinity; competes with CCU Online for adult and graduate learners seeking Christ-centered degrees.
• Oral Roberts University: Private interdenominational Christian university offering on-campus and online programs with a charismatic faith tradition and similar tuition-driven model; comparable in size and program mix to CCU.
• Biola University: Private non-denominational Christian university in Southern California with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs emphasizing biblical integration — closely mirrors CCU's faith-integrated academic positioning.
• Azusa Pacific University: Private Wesleyan-Holiness Christian university with on-campus, online, and graduate programs serving traditional and adult learners; similar tuition model and faith-based curriculum approach.
• Dallas Baptist University: Private Baptist university with a strong online and graduate studies college targeting working adults; competes with CCU Online for faith-based adult learners in the South-Central U.S.
• Cedarville University: Private Baptist university with rigorous on-campus undergraduate programs and a faith-integrated curriculum; comparable in size, denominational identity, and residential model to CCU's College of Undergraduate Studies.
• Wheaton College: Highly ranked private evangelical Christian liberal arts college with a strong academic reputation and faith-integrated curriculum; comparable to CCU in mission and student profile, though less online focus.
• Point Loma Nazarene University: Private Wesleyan-Holiness Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and some online programs with faith-based education; comparable in size, religious affiliation, and tuition model.

Broad incumbents

• Western Governors University: Large-scale nonprofit online university serving adult learners nationwide with competency-based programs; competes with CCU Online for adult undergraduate and graduate students, but operates as a secular incumbent with much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/my_ccu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ColoradoChristianU
• Facebookfacebook.com/myCCU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-christian-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/myccu
• TikToktiktok.com/@my_ccu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Colorado Christian University