Arlington Baptist University

What Arlington Baptist University does

Arlington Baptist University is a private Christian university founded in 1939 and located in Arlington, Texas, within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It serves traditional undergraduate and graduate students seeking faith-integrated higher education across four schools: Business, Education, Ministry, and Interdisciplinary Studies. A distinctive structural feature is that all undergraduate students double-major in Bible regardless of their primary field, and graduate offerings include MBA concentrations (Human Performance Improvement, Sport Management), M.Ed., MA in Biblical Studies, MA in Global Apologetics, and Master of Divinity, with several programs delivered fully online.

The institution's technology stack is standard for higher education: Canvas LMS (via Instructure) handles online coursework delivery, while Populi manages student records, enrollment, and registrar functions following a recent migration from Campus Café. A notable partnership with Logos Bible Software provides a Custom Library of over 180 curated theological resources with Premium subscriptions for theology students, including AI-powered search and summarization; graduates who complete their degree retain the library indefinitely. ABU holds ABHE accreditation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board authorization, and TEA approval for educator preparation programs across multiple certification areas. NCCAA Division II athletics (basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball) serve as a recruitment channel.

The business model rests on tuition and fees as the primary revenue stream, supplemented by donations through designated giving programs (ABU Renew, Athletics Fund, Scholarship Fund), and a campus store selling branded merchandise ($3–$44 range). Customer acquisition relies on community-led GTM: campus tours, orientation programs, athletic events, and faith-centered messaging via digital channels. The institution reports 94% graduate satisfaction with spiritual/biblical growth (2024 exit survey) but volatile five-year retention rates of 31–61% for first-time/full-time students, which is a material operational concern for revenue stability.

Name

Arlington Baptist University

Legal name

Arlington Baptist University

Website

https://abu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Arlington Baptist University is a private Christian university in Arlington, Texas, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across Business, Education, Ministry, and Theology, with a mandatory Bible double-major and online graduate programs serving faith-seeking students globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Secular/Nonsectarian Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAG)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical studies programs
• Online graduate programs
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Theological seminary

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition and fees for degree programs. The university charges a $240 Graduation Fee and a $500 waiver fee for students living off-campus who do not meet criteria.
2. Donations and Giving: Undesignated gifts and designated giving programs including ABU Renew (campus revitalization), Athletics Fund, and Scholarship Fund.
3. Campus Store and Merchandise: ABU operates an on-campus store selling branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats), accessories (mugs, blankets, umbrellas), and gift cards. Products range from $3.00 to $43.99.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arlington Baptist University is a private Christian university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four schools: Business, Education, Ministry, and Interdisciplinary Studies. All undergraduate students double-major in Bible, integrating biblical worldview across every program. Coursework is delivered on-campus and online via Canvas LMS, with student records managed through the Populi portal. Graduate offerings include online MBA, M.Ed., M.A. in Biblical Studies, M.A. in Global Apologetics, and Master of Divinity programs.

Product overview

Arlington Baptist University is a private Christian university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four schools: Business, Education, Ministry, and Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduate programs span Business (MBA with concentrations in Human Performance Improvement and Sport Management), Education (M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction), and Theology (MA in Biblical & Theological Studies, MA in Global Apologetics, Master of Divinity). All coursework is delivered through Canvas LMS, with student records managed via Populi. A distinctive feature is that all undergraduate majors carry a Bible double-major. The ABU Campus Store provides branded merchandise, and the university partners with Logos Bible Software to provide a custom theological library and Premium subscriptions to theology students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs
• Graduate Degree Programs (Business, Education, Theology)
• TEA-Approved Educator Preparation Program
• NCCAA Division II Athletics
• ABU Campus Store
• Logos Bible Software ABU Custom Library (Premium Subscription)

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of graduates reported spiritual/biblical growth from their program (2024 exit survey)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southwestern Baptist Theological SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABU's Earl K. Oldham Library and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Roberts Library maintain a Reciprocal Agreement. Under this agreement, ABU students may use the facilities and physical materials of SWBTS's Roberts Library with specific limitations. Students wishing to borrow materials should contact the ABU Librarian for assistance.
• Logos Bible SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationABU partnered with Logos to create a Custom Library of over 180 curated resources. Some ABU courses use only resources from the ABU Custom Library. If a student earns an ABU bachelor's or master's degree, the graduate will be invited to keep the ABU Custom Library. ABU has purchased Premium subscriptions for undergraduate and Graduate School of Theology students.
• Arlington Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll faculty and students of ABU are eligible for a free library card with the Arlington Public Library. Students may access over 190 databases, Transparent Language Online, College Center Plus, College Success Skills, and Career Center Plus.
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)coreTechnology or IntegrationABU is accredited by ABHE Commission on Accreditation to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master's levels. Additional information available at abhe.org.
• American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABU's Registrar is an affiliate member. AACRAO establishes criteria for credit transfer practices and provides professional assistance in recruiting, admissions standards, and preservation of records.
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating BoardcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Coordinating Board has authorized ABU to grant degrees in the State of Texas by virtue of its fully accredited status through ABHE.
• Texas Education Agency (TEA)coreTechnology or IntegrationABU offers a TEA-approved Educator Preparation Program. Students may be approved for State Board of Education Certification exams in multiple subject areas including EC-6 Core Subjects, Science 4-8, Social Studies 4-8/7-12, and others.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Criswell College: A small Baptist-affiliated Bible college in Dallas, TX, focused on undergraduate ministry and graduate theological degrees with a Christ-centered mission. Directly comparable to ABU on denomination, DFW footprint, mission emphasis, and Bible-college scale.
• Dallas Baptist University: A Baptist-affiliated university located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with a faith-integration emphasis. Closest geographic peer with overlapping academic portfolio including business, education, and theology.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: A major Baptist theological seminary in Fort Worth, TX offering graduate-level theology and ministry degrees. Already a reciprocal library partner with ABU; directly comparable on Baptist identity, theological depth, and DFW regional footprint, though serving a more advanced-degree audience.
• Moody Bible Institute: A historic Bible college and theological seminary in Chicago focused on ministry, biblical studies, and theological education. Comparable to ABU on Bible-college identity, theological specialization, and dual undergraduate/graduate portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: One of the largest Christian universities in the U.S., offering extensive online undergraduate and graduate programs including theology, business, and education with explicit faith integration. Comparable on faith-based mission, online scale, and degree breadth, though at materially larger scale than ABU.
• Bob Jones University: A long-established private Christian university in Greenville, SC offering undergraduate and graduate programs with explicit biblical integration across all majors. Comparable to ABU on faith-first identity, residential campus model, and academic breadth.
• Regent University: A Christian university in Virginia Beach, VA with a strong online graduate portfolio spanning business, education, divinity, and government. Comparable on faith-based mission, graduate online scale, and academic breadth, though at larger scale and broader scope than ABU.
• Biola University: A private Christian university in La Mirada, CA offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with biblical integration across the curriculum. Comparable to ABU on required Bible/theology coursework, faith-first identity, and academic breadth.

Regional players

• Cedarville University: A Baptist-affiliated university in Cedarville, OH offering undergraduate and graduate programs with biblical integration and NCAA Division II athletics. Comparable to ABU on Baptist identity, required Bible coursework, and NCCAA/Division II athletics platform.
• Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary: A Southern Baptist theological seminary in Wake Forest, NC offering graduate degrees in theology, ministry, and related fields. Comparable to ABU on Baptist identity and theological training focus, though primarily a graduate seminary serving a different geographic catchment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@abuchapel992
• Instagraminstagram.com/abu_student_life
• Xx.com/arlingtonbaptun
• Facebookfacebook.com/arlingtonbaptistuniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arlington-baptist-college-cp

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 Arlington Baptist University