Pillar College

What Pillar College does

Pillar College is a private, for-profit Christian higher education institution founded in 1908 and headquartered at 60 Park Place in Newark, New Jersey, with a second campus in Paterson. It operates as New Jersey's only accredited Bible college and offers associate, bachelor's, and graduate degree programs across schools including Christian Studies, Leadership and Business, Behavioral Health and Social Sciences, and Humanities and Culture. Distinctive offerings include the LEAD accelerated bachelor's degree (24-month, one-night-per-week cohort format with no exams), Programa BLEND (a bilingual Spanish-English associate degree with integrated ESL), Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC), Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML, available in English and Spanish), and an MBA in Social Sector Management, plus a Certificate in Transformational Leadership and Global Learning Experience study-abroad trips. Instruction is delivered in-person across two New Jersey campuses and online via a Blackboard LMS.

The business model is tuition-driven with auxiliary revenue from donations and Veterans Affairs education benefits. Domestic undergraduate full-time tuition is $26,352 annually, with international students at $34,056; graduate programs range from $8,964 (MAML) to $10,665 (MBA International). A block-rate and per-credit pricing structure applies, alongside semester fees of $500-$750, a $100 enrollment deposit, and grant/scholarship programs (DES Biblical Studies up to $7,500/semester; graduate grants up to $600/semester). Approximately 82% of students receive financial aid, and the institution participates in federal Title IV aid and the VA Yellow Ribbon program.

Customer acquisition is built primarily on a community-led go-to-market model: a Pillar Partners network of 80+ New Jersey churches, coordinated by a dedicated Church Partnerships Director, serves as the dominant recruitment channel. Supplemental channels include K-LOVE and Star 99.1 FM radio, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), campus visits, and student/staff referral grants. The institution is led by President David E. Schroeder, EdD, supported by a Provost, CFO, VP of Admissions and Marketing, and deans across each academic school, with no parent company or external equity ownership. The only disclosed funding event is $1,436,781 in CARES Act HEERF I emergency aid disbursed to 641 students.

Name

Pillar College

Legal name

Pillar College

Website

https://pillar.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pillar College is a private Christian college founded in 1908 in Newark, New Jersey, offering associate, bachelor's, and graduate degree programs across multiple schools, with a focus on adult learners, veterans, and Hispanic/Latino students through faith-integrated, accelerated, and bilingual program formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF), Corporate & Foundation Relations (Sponsorships, Grants, Partnerships) (EDALAOAE)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate theological education
• Biblical studies programs
• Accelerated degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Newark

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Full-time undergraduate tuition of $26,352 annually for domestic students and $34,056 for international students. Block rate of $13,176 per semester for 12-17 credits. Per-credit rate of $1,098 for 12 or fewer credits or 18+ credits.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs including MAC ($10,584 full-time), MAML ($8,964 full-time), and MBA International ($10,665 for 9 credits per semester). Per-credit rates vary by program.
3. Donations and Giving: The college solicits donations through its giving page with options for one-time and recurring gifts. Donors can designate to General Annual Fund or Pillar College Cares Fund. Matching gift program available for employee matching contributions.
4. Veterans Education Benefits: Pillar College participates in GI Bill programs including Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, and other VA education benefits. The college serves as a recognized resource for veterans and their families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pillar College is a private Christian institution of higher education that offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs integrating a biblical worldview with academic disciplines such as Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Elementary Education, Organizational Leadership, Psychology & Counseling, and Intercultural Communication. Its distinctive offerings include the accelerated LEAD bachelor's program (24-month completion via one-night-per-week cohort), the bilingual Spanish-English Programa BLEND associate degree, graduate programs in Counseling (MAC), Ministry Leadership (MAML, in English and Spanish), and MBA in Social Sector Management, delivered on campuses in Newark and Paterson, NJ and via online/hybrid formats.

Product overview

Pillar College is an undergraduate and graduate institution of higher learning offering a multi-product portfolio of degree programs. The institution provides Associate's and Bachelor's degrees across disciplines including Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Elementary Education, General Studies, Intercultural Communication, Organizational Leadership, and Psychology & Counseling. It features two distinctive accelerated programs: the LEAD accelerated degree (24-month bachelor's completion) and the Programa BLEND (bilingual Spanish-English associate's degree). At the graduate level, it offers Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC), Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership (MAML - available in English and Spanish), and MBA in Social Sector Management. Additional offerings include a Certificate Program in Transformational Leadership, Global Learning Experience study abroad trips, ESL programs, and continuing education through P.A.C.E. All programs integrate Christian faith and worldview with academic excellence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accelerated Degree: LEAD An accelerated bachelor's degree program enabling students to complete their degree in as little as 24 months, meeting one night per week in a small cohort format with no exams. Designed for working adults seeking expedited degree completion.
• Programa BLEND A bilingual Associate of Arts program allowing students to complete their degree in Spanish while learning English as a second language (ESL). Designed for Spanish-speaking students.
• Bachelor's in Biblical Studies Bachelor's degree program in Biblical Studies focusing on theological education and ministry preparation, integrating Christian worldview with academic study.
• Bachelor's in Business Administration & Management Bachelor's degree program available online or in person, preparing students for leadership roles in business, entrepreneurial ventures, nonprofits, and ministry organizations.
• Bachelor's in Elementary Education Bachelor's degree program for future elementary school educators (K-6), offered in flexible hybrid and online formats for urban school district preparation.
• Associate of Arts in General Studies Associate's degree program serving as a pathway into any BA program at Pillar College or into a Sociology degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice at a partnering institution.
• Bachelor's in Intercultural Communication Bachelor's degree program with concentrations in Cultural, Urban Ministry, and Interdisciplinary areas, preparing students to navigate cross-cultural contexts and communicate transformational principles globally.
• Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Bachelor's degree program providing foundational knowledge and practical skills to develop leaders who can influence change, inspire others, and deliver positive results.
• Bachelor's in Psychology & Counseling

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% of students receive Financial Aid
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Abundant Life ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members. Pillar Partners receive educational resources and scholarships to stimulate spiritual maturity and academic growth.
• Apostolic Church of DeliverancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• Agape House of WorshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• Allen A.M.E. ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• Fountain BaptistcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• Bethel Assembly of GodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• First Baptist Peddie Memorial ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner with Pillar College, sharing the value of Christian higher education with congregation members.
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating institution in VA education benefits programs including Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, Fry Scholarship, and other veteran education benefits.
• Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember institution of ABHE, affirming tenets of faith and maintaining accreditation standards for biblical higher education.
• Yellow Ribbon G.I. Bill Education Enhancement ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary agreement with VA to fund tuition and fees exceeding Post-9/11 GI Bill payable amounts. VA matches institutional contributions up to 50% of the difference.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cairn University: Pennsylvania-based accredited Bible college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with biblical integration. Closely comparable to Pillar in size, mission, faith-based curriculum integration, and adult-learner focus in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Clarks Summit University: Pennsylvania-based Bible college with ABHE accreditation offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with Christian worldview integration. Comparable to Pillar in size, accreditation type, and faith-based programmatic identity.
• Eastern University: Pennsylvania-based Christian university offering undergraduate and graduate programs with faith integration. Comparable to Pillar in faith-based identity and Mid-Atlantic regional presence, though slightly larger in scale.
• Lancaster Bible College: Pennsylvania-based accredited Bible college with similar size, faith-based degree offerings, and adult-learner accelerated programs. Directly comparable to Pillar in mission, target demographic, and program structure.
• Calvary University: ABHE-accredited Bible college in Kansas City offering Bible, theology, and ministry degrees with Christian worldview. Comparable to Pillar in size, accreditation, and faith-based curricular focus.
• Nyack University: New York-based Christian college serving the greater NYC metro region with similar adult-learner and faith-based programming. Geographic neighbor with overlapping target segments.

Broad incumbents

• Regent University: Virginia-based accredited Christian university with graduate-heavy programming in ministry, counseling, and business. Comparable to Pillar in faith-based mission and graduate program offerings.
• Liberty University: Large accredited Christian university offering extensive online and on-campus programs with faith integration. Represents a national-scale incumbent competitor in faith-based higher education, including for adult learners via online delivery.
• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit Christian university with extensive online programming serving adult learners nationwide. Comparable to Pillar in faith-based identity and for-profit structure, but vastly larger in scale and reach.

Regional players

• Davis & Elkins University: Small private college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church offering undergraduate and graduate programs with faith integration. Comparable to Pillar in scale, religious affiliation, and small-college operating model, though serving a different region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2ZE4YdEtgamsJyYLaaK2PA?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/pillarcollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/pillarcollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Pillar College