Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary

What Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary does

Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary, now operating as Calvary University, is a private nondenominational Christian institution of higher education located near Belton, Missouri, approximately 20 miles south of downtown Kansas City. Founded in 1932 as Kansas City Bible Institute, the university offers degree programs spanning associate, bachelor's, master's (including seminary degrees such as the Master of Divinity), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Bible and Theology, with majors ranging from Bible & Theology and Biblical Counseling to Business Administration, Education, Music, Theatre Arts, and Intercultural Studies. Its core academic model is a blended delivery system built on the Canvas Learning Management System, in which nearly all on-site classes are video-recorded and uploaded for asynchronous access, enabling online and on-site students to learn together. Required Practical Christian Ministries field placements and the Burnham Center for Global Engagement anchor a cross-cultural missions pipeline connected to 25-plus mission agency partners.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees charged to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, supplemented by on-campus room and board (single and double occupancy dorms plus tiered meal plans at Joe's Kitchen), Title IV federal student aid disbursements, and charitable donations managed by the Development Office through monthly giving, planned giving, memorial gifts, and annual fundraising events. Pricing for housing and dining is published per semester, with double-occupancy dorms at $1,658, single-occupancy at $2,004, and meal plans ranging from $1,024 to $1,588. The institution targets multiple student segments including traditional undergraduates, graduate and seminary students, military and veterans, international students, transfer students, and early college dual-enrollment learners, supported by a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and dual accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and the Association for Biblical Higher Education. As of the 2025-26 academic year, total enrollment stood at 223 students, down from 397 in 2023-24.

Name

Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary

Legal name

Calvary University

Website

https://calvary.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Calvary University is a private nondenominational Christian university in Kansas City offering associate through doctoral degrees via a blended Canvas-based online and on-campus model, serving 223 students in 2025-26 and accredited by HLC and ABHE.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAG

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAB

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHACAF

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Liberal Arts Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHABAJ

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Private Research Universities

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Theological seminary
• Biblical worldview education
• Online ministry degrees
• Undergraduate seminary programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. Includes course tuition and various enrollment fees.
2. Room and Board: On-campus housing and dining services including single/double occupancy dorms and meal plans at Joe's Kitchen dining hall.
3. Donations and Charitable Giving: Development office solicits donations including monthly giving programs (Wall of Sustainability), planned giving, memorial gifts, car donations, and annual events (Feast & Fund Auction, Golf Tournament, President's Dinner).
4. Federal Student Aid (Title IV): Participation in U.S. Department of Education Title IV Student Assistance Programs for federal grants and loans.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from annual events including Feast & Fund auction, golf tournament, and facility rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Calvary University (formerly Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary) is a private, nondenominational Christian institution offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs with biblical worldview integration across on-campus, online, and blended delivery formats. The institution also provides seminary training, certificates, microcredentials, an early college dual-enrollment program, on-campus housing and dining, and required Practical Christian Ministries field experience.

Product overview

Calvary University (formerly Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary) offers a comprehensive higher education ecosystem built around biblical worldview integration. The institution provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across theological, ministry, and professional disciplines. The academic portfolio includes Bachelor’s degrees, Associate degrees, Master’s degrees (including Seminary programs), and PhD programs, supplemented by certificate programs, microcredentials, and an Early College dual-enrollment option for high school students. The institution operates an online campus powered by Canvas Learning Management System that synchronizes with on-campus instruction through video-recorded lectures. Core academic programs are enhanced by the Practical Christian Ministries program (required field experience), the Burnham Center for Global Engagement (missions training), and the Synergy program (accelerated mission field preparation). Student support infrastructure includes the Clark Academic Center (tutoring), Hilda Kroeker Library, and the myCU student portal (integrating Canvas, Populi, email, and financial services). The institution also offers athletics programs, theatre arts, campus housing (dorms), and dining services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Traditional bachelor's and associate degree programs offered on-campus in Kansas City or online, with majors in Bible & Theology, Biblical Counseling, Business Administration, Education, English, Ministry Studies, Intercultural Studies, Music, Theatre Arts, and Professional Directed Studies.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's level programs including Master of Science in Organization Development, Master of Science in Education, Master of Arts in Bible and Theology, Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling, and Master of Divinity (MDiv), available on-campus or online.
• Doctoral Degree Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 30 out of 1,300 colleges for lowest student debt upon graduation (US News & World Report 2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Avant MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvant Ministries' mission is to glorify God by helping others enjoy His presence through planting and developing new churches in unreached areas. Calvary alumni serve with Avant in various capacities.
• SEND InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEND's focus and passion is to mobilize God's people and engage the unreached in order to establish reproducing churches. Calvary alumni serve with SEND.
• Word of Life Bible InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established for institutional collaboration including academic recognition of course credits, collaborative academic programs, reciprocal scholarship programs, facilities sharing, faculty sharing, and general cooperation in ministry.
• CrossworldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrossworld's dream is to see disciple-makers from all professions bringing God's love to life in the world's least-reached marketplaces. Calvary alumni serve with Crossworld.
• Ethnos360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOf the world's 6,500 people groups, 2,500 are still unreached. Ethnos360 helps local churches train, coordinate and send missionaries to these tribes. Named after Martin and Gracia Burnham, Calvary alumni.
• IFCA InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFCA International's mission is to glorify God by providing an arena for independent churches and organizations to participate interdependently in the common cause of advancing biblically authentic Christianity.
• GotQuestions.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGotQuestions.org is a volunteer ministry dedicated to assisting others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and spiritual topics. Calvary alumni serve with GotQuestions.
• City Union MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity Union Mission provides beds, food, and safety for poverty-stricken and homeless individuals while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Child Evangelism FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEF is dedicated to seeing every child reached with the Gospel, discipled, and established in a local church.
• Brazil Gospel FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGFM's desire is to share the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to Brazilians through missionaries and ministries.
• Friends of IsraelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldwide Christian ministry communicating biblical truth about Israel and the Messiah while fostering solidarity with the Jewish people.
• UIM InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIM's purpose is to establish indigenous churches among Native Indian, Mexican, and Hispanic peoples of North America built on the Scriptures.
• Moyer & Descombes Insurance AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing insurance services support to Calvary University.
• Johnson County Community CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement allowing students to transfer credits toward Calvary degrees.
• Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement allowing students to transfer credits toward Calvary degrees.
• Metropolitan Community CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement allowing students to transfer credits toward Calvary degrees.
• University of Central MissouriminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement allowing students to transfer credits toward Calvary degrees.
• Liberty UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary students can take specific Liberty University courses as Special Student/Non-degree seeking applicants and transfer such courses back to Calvary.
• Greek Bible CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudents can enroll in courses at Greek Bible College in Athens, Greece for credit toward Calvary degrees. Study abroad opportunity with English instruction in the land of the Bible.
• Pyeongtaek UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership encourages student exchanges between Music Departments and collaborative music-related ventures such as summer music camps.
• School of Missionary Aviation TechnologyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecognition of 42 semester hours for Airframe & Power Plant Mechanics certificate; 15 semester hours for Aviation Flight Training certificate toward BS PDS degree.
• Biblical Ministries WorldwideminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for recognition of educational work performed by Calvary students under BMW supervision for Intercultural Studies Methods coursework.
• Village MissionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for recognition of educational work performed by Calvary students under Village Missions supervision for Intercultural Studies Methods coursework.
• Midwest Church ExtensionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for recognition of educational work performed by Calvary students under Midwest Church Extension supervision for Intercultural Studies Methods coursework.
• Chafer Theological SeminaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts grades and credits awarded by Chafer for Bible courses for students transferring to Calvary.
• Trinity College of the Bible & Theological SeminaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts transfer credits from Trinity for Bible, theology, and ministry courses.
• Tyndale Theological Seminary & Bible InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts grades and transfer credits from Tyndale for Bible, theology, and ministry courses.
• Frontier School of the BibleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts credits from Frontier for Bible and theology courses for Associate, Bachelor degrees.
• Front Range Bible InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts course credits earned at Front Range Bible Institute for pre-approved courses.
• Hartwell UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts transfer credits from Hartwell for Bible, theology, and ministry courses.
• Children's Ministries InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary accepts 15 credit hours from CMI toward AA in Children's Ministry or BS in Ministry Studies: Children's Ministry.
• Abundant Life Leadership InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecognition of course credits earned at ALLI in Bible, theology, and ministry courses for students transferring to Calvary.
• Blue Ridge Christian SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for offering college-level Calvary courses to BRCS students.
• Plaza Heights Christian AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for offering college-level Calvary courses to PHCA students.
• Fairfax High SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for offering college-level Calvary courses to Fairfax students.
• Town and Country Training ProgramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement for Calvary to provide contextualized education and cultural immersion experiences for students serving in town and country context.
• Faculdade Teologica Internacional (ABECAR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalvary authorized to accept course credits earned at ABECAR in Brazil for Bible, theology, and ministry courses.
• Ethnos360 Training CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement allows Calvary University to host the ETC Linguistics Program of Ethnos360 on Calvary's campus.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dallas Theological Seminary: Theological seminary offering master's and doctoral programs in Bible and theology with a strong online/distance education presence. Comparable on the seminary/doctoral side of Calvary's offerings.
• Central Christian College of the Bible: Small Missouri-based Bible college offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in biblical/theological studies. Highly comparable on size, geography, and mission.
• Columbia International University: Nondenominational Christian university in South Carolina with Bible/theology core, seminary, and missions-focused programs including intercultural studies. Closely mirrors Calvary's program portfolio and biblical worldview positioning.
• Crown College: Private Christian college affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance offering Bible/theology core with undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable small-institution Christian higher-ed profile.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-based nondenominational Bible college and theological seminary offering undergraduate, graduate, and distance-learning programs. Directly comparable in mission, doctrinal emphasis, and program mix to Calvary.
• The Master's University: Faith-affiliated private university in California offering undergraduate, seminary, and graduate programs with biblical integration across the curriculum. Comparable institution size and mission alignment.
• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Kansas City-area evangelical seminary offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral theological programs. Direct geographic and doctrinal peer with overlapping recruitment territory.
• Biola University: Private Christian university in La Mirada, California offering undergraduate, Talbot Seminary graduate, and doctoral programs. Direct peer on the integrated Bible-and-professional-degree model.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest private, faith-based online-enabled university in the U.S. with extensive online degree catalog and global reach. Functions as a broad incumbent competitor in the online Christian higher-education segment.
• Oral Roberts University: Charismatic/Pentecostal faith-affiliated university offering undergraduate and graduate theology programs with a global missions focus. Broad incumbent peer with overlapping theological education positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CalvaryUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/100562024445
• Instagraminstagram.com/calvaryuniversity
• Xx.com/CalvaryBibleKC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calvary-bible-college-and-theological-seminary

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary