Vision International University

What Vision International University does

Vision International University (VIU) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian higher education institution founded in 1976 by Dr. Stan DeKoven and headquartered in Ramona, California. VIU delivers fully online, asynchronous ministry and theological degree programs — Associate through PhD — to a global adult learner base with an average student age of 40, extending to approximately 140 nations through its online learning platform, church-based Resource Centers, and a Schools of Ministry network. The portfolio spans eight degree programs plus the trademarked Double Degree Program (Bachelor of Ministry plus Master of Arts in Business and Ministry completed in approximately two years), with optional interactive residencies at the Center for Healthy Leadership in Elkhart, Indiana.

Monetization is dominated by tuition billed per credit hour ($150 undergraduate, $195 graduate and doctoral), supplemented by application, registration, and graduation fees, with optional 0% interest-free monthly payment plans starting at approximately $245 to keep programs accessible without student loans. Secondary revenue streams include merchandise sales via a CafePress storefront and charitable donations under 501(c)(3) status to subsidize affordability. The technology layer is a self-paced online learning environment (visiononlinelearning.org) hosting in-house curriculum co-developed with The Institute of Theological Studies, supported by an affiliate referral program paying $100+ per enrollment.

VIU holds ASIC International Accreditation recognized in 70+ countries, with standing at UKVI, ISO 9001:2015, INQAAHE, and EDEN. Distribution combines a self-serve online application portal, a credit-transfer network with more than ten affiliated Bible colleges and seminaries accepting 60-90 transfer credits, and a referral channel through the Vision International Ministerial Fellowship and 140 country-level Resource Centers. The institution operates with a small administrative team of 11-50 employees and disburses no public revenue figures.

Name

Vision International University

Legal name

Vision International University

Website

https://vision.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vision International University is a nonprofit Christian distance-learning institution founded in 1976, delivering ASIC-accredited online ministry and theological degree programs (Associate through PhD) to a global adult learner base across roughly 140 nations, anchored by its two-year Double Degree Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Christian Higher Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Divinity Schools (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Online ministry education
• Christian degree programs
• Distance learning university
• Theological higher education
• Affordable ministry degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Ramona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charges per credit hour across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs, plus application, registration, and graduation fees
2. Merchandise Sales: Revenue from Vision merchandise sold through CafePress storefront
3. Donations and Contributions: 501(c)(3) organization accepts charitable donations to support mission and keep tuition affordable; includes scholarship funds

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vision International University delivers accredited online Christian higher education through distance learning, awarding associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in ministry, theology, Christian counseling, Christian leadership, and business ministry. Its flagship Double Degree Program enables students to complete both a Bachelor of Ministry and a Master of Arts in Business and Ministry in approximately two years. The university also operates affiliated equipping, publishing, and multilingual programs serving adult learners across 140 nations.

Product overview

Vision International University is an online distance learning institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of faith-based degree programs. The core educational offerings include the Double Degree Program (an accelerated pathway earning both Bachelor of Ministry and Master of Arts in Business and Ministry in 2 years), undergraduate degrees (Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Ministry, Bachelor of Arts), graduate degrees (Master of Arts in Christian Counseling, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, Master of Theological Studies), and doctoral programs (Doctor of Ministry, PhD in Practical Theology). The institution operates through affiliated sub-brands including Vision Publishing (specializing in Christian educational materials) and Vision International Global Ministries (an equipping network for servant leadership training across over 140 nations). VIU holds international accreditation from ASIC and serves a global adult learner population with an average student age of 40 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Double Degree Program: An innovative program allowing students to earn both a Bachelor of Ministry degree and a Master of Arts in Business and Ministry degree in approximately 2 years.

Products and services

• Double Degree Program An accelerated dual-degree program allowing students to earn both a Bachelor of Ministry degree and a Master of Arts in Business and Ministry degree in approximately 2 years, combining undergraduate and graduate-level theological and business education for adult learners.
• Associate of Arts A two-year foundational program focusing on theological and ministry basics, designed for those beginning their journey in ministry or transitioning to higher educational pursuits.
• Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.) A 120-credit-hour undergraduate program tailored for those seeking to lead congregations and engage in advanced ministry practices, emphasizing leadership and operational aspects of church management.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) A 120-credit-hour undergraduate program offering broader liberal arts education with a strong biblical foundation, preparing students for diverse professional roles or graduate studies.
• Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (M.A.) A 36-credit graduate program designed from a Pentecostal-Charismatic perspective with emphasis on Spirit-led Christian counseling skills, equipping students to address spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs of individuals and communities.
• Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (M.A.) A 36-credit graduate program combining advanced online studies with optional interactive residencies at the Center for Healthy Leadership in Elkhart, Indiana, cultivating high-caliber leaders for ministry and organizational leadership.
• Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) A 36-credit scholarly program developed in cooperation with The Institute of Theological Studies (ITS), focused on academic exploration of theology for teaching, research, and socio-religious engagement.
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) A 45-credit advanced program providing higher level pastoral competence through 35 credit hours of coursework and a 10 credit hour doctoral project, integrating theological principles with practical ministry.
• PhD in Practical Theology (Leadership) A 60-credit doctoral program integrating theological concepts with real-world leadership applications, including 45 credits from the DMin Program and a 15-credit literature-based dissertation.
• Vision Publishing An affiliated publishing operation under Vision International specializing in educational and training books to strengthen the body of Christ.
• Vision International Global Ministries (VIGM) Equipping Network An equipping network consisting of multiple outreach services focused on training and equipping servant leaders across 140 nations, including Vision International College and Seminary, Vision International Multilingual, Vision Publishing, Vision International Network of Ministries, The Vision Resourcing Group, International Association of Christian Care Professionals, and Walk in Wisdom Ministries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Earn $100,000+ in business ventures after completing Double Degree Program (individual case study)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Kingdom Builders Academy (KBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026KBA partnered with VIU to offer the Double Degree Program for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. KBA students can pursue TRACS-recognized accreditation through VIU pathway alongside existing options.
• City Vision UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer partner for VIU students seeking degrees in addiction counseling, nonprofit management, and business beyond VIU's offerings.
• Omega Graduate SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer partner for master's or doctoral degrees in organizational leadership, family life education, social leadership, and social research.
• United Theological SeminarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransfer partner for VIU students seeking Master of Divinity degrees.
• Charis Bible CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 60 transfer credits.
• International School of MinistrysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 60 transfer credits.
• Harvestime Bible InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 60 transfer credits.
• Ministry Training InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 60 transfer credits.
• Vision CollegessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 90 credits or 12 credits from graduate studies.
• LIVE SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 60 transfer credits.
• PLI InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit transfer partner accepting up to 24 credits or 12 graduate credits.
• ACEA Partner SchoolssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of ACEA (Association of Christian Education Administrators) partner schools accepting up to 90 transfer credits.
• Ministry to Educate and Equip (MTEE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Russian language curriculum and training materials for Vision International Multilingual program.
• Shepherds International UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Italian language curriculum as part of Vision International Multilingual.
• The Institute of Theological Studies (ITS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner developing Master of Theological Studies curriculum with leading biblical scholars and theologians.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Regent University: Christian university with a substantial online program in divinity, ministry, business, and leadership (Regent Online). Comparable target audience of adult Christian learners and degree portfolio overlap, with regional accreditation and stronger U.S. brand recognition.
• Liberty University: Largest private nonprofit Christian university in the U.S. with a major online program (Liberty University Online) offering accredited ministry, theology, and business degrees. Directly comparable in product mix (Associate through Doctoral) and target student (adult, working professionals), but at far greater scale with U.S. regional accreditation and federal aid access.
• Oral Roberts University: Pentecostal-Charismatic university offering ministry, theology, and graduate degrees including online and graduate programs. Directly comparable denominational positioning (Pentecostal-Charismatic) and theological curriculum, but with a much larger campus, faculty, and broader accreditation profile.
• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit Christian university with a deep online catalog including theology and ministry programs. Comparable adult-learner focus and online delivery model, but at significantly greater scale and broader programmatic reach.

Direct peers

• Dallas Theological Seminary: Graduate theological seminary offering Master of Theology, ThM, and doctoral programs with significant online/hybrid delivery. Comparable in advanced theological degree offerings and adult-learner focus, with much stronger brand recognition in academic ministry training.
• Moody Bible Institute: Bible college and theological seminary offering ministry, theology, and biblical-studies degrees with online options. Closely comparable in mission (Bible-centered ministry training) and core product (undergraduate and graduate theological degrees), with stronger brand recognition in evangelical theological education.
• Clarks Summit University: Baptist-affiliated university offering online ministry and theological degrees including Master's-level programs. Comparable conservative Christian theological curriculum and adult online learner focus, though at smaller scale.
• Columbia International University: Conservative Christian university offering Bible, ministry, and theological degrees including online options. Comparable in conservative evangelical positioning, ministry-focused degree portfolio, and adult-learner online delivery.
• Charis Bible College: Pentecostal-Charismatic ministry training college offering biblical and ministry certificates and degrees. Comparable denominational positioning and ministry-training focus; operates as a VIU transfer-credit partner accepting up to 60 credits.
• City Vision University: Online Christian university specializing in affordable ministry, addiction counseling, nonprofit management, and business degrees for working adults. Most directly comparable in mission, online-only delivery, affordability positioning, and adult-learner focus — and operates as an active transfer-credit partner of VIU.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=vision+international+learning+channel

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Vision International University