Eden Theological Seminary

What Eden Theological Seminary does

Eden Theological Seminary is a private, nonprofit theological seminary founded in 1850 and currently headquartered on a 20-acre campus in Webster Groves, Missouri, in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. The seminary is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and is ecumenically diverse, serving students from UCC, Baptist, United Methodist, and numerous other denominational and non-denominational backgrounds, with a student body that is 45% African-American and includes international learners from five or more countries. Its core products are five accredited graduate degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Community Leadership, and Doctor of Ministry), supplemented by certificate programs (including the End-of-Life Doula Certificate and Graduate Credit Certificate) and community learning offerings such as the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing, Walker Leadership Institute, NEXT Steps retirement program, and Ministry Cohorts. Dual-degree pathways extend to Washington University's Brown School of Social Work and Elmhurst University's MBA program.

The seminary delivers instruction through a HyFlex learning model combining fully online asynchronous, hybrid, and synchronous formats, supported by Brightspace LMS and a Blackbaud-powered student portal. Instruction is delivered by an 8-person faculty (gender-balanced and 50% racial-ethnic minority), with named-endowed chairs in Biblical Interpretation and Mission and Peace. The Contextual Education component integrates hands-on ministry training across degree pathways. Technology infrastructure also includes Microsoft 365 for communication, PayPal for donations, and National Student Clearinghouse for official transcripts.

Eden's revenue model combines tuition and fees (degree programs, certificates, housing), donations and grants (including a $10 million Lilly Endowment grant received in December 2025), student housing rental income ($850-$1,075/month), and tiered Educational Partnership memberships ($500-$5,000 annually for congregations and organizations). Distribution is primarily direct via year-round online applications, admissions consultations, campus visits, and distance education. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees and received a 64% placement rate for the Class of 2025, with designation as an Open and Affirming seminary by the UCC.

Name

Eden Theological Seminary

Legal name

Eden Theological Seminary

Website

http://www.eden.edu/

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Eden Theological Seminary is a private, nonprofit UCC-affiliated seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri, delivering accredited graduate theological degrees, certificates, and community learning programs via a HyFlex learning model to a diverse ecumenical student body.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Seminary degree programs
• Ministry training
• Pastoral studies
• Community leadership

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-louis-de-montferrand

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

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: Revenue from tuition for degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Master of Community Leadership, and Doctor of Ministry. Application fees and other educational fees also contribute.
2. Student Housing: Rental income from on-campus apartment housing for students at any college or university. Internet and utilities included in rent.
3. Donations and Grants: Institutional advancement revenue from donations, annual fund contributions, endowment gifts, planned giving, and major grants such as the $10 million Lilly Endowment grant.
4. Community Learning Programs: Revenue from certificate programs, ministry cohorts, workshops, and continuing education including End-of-Life Doula Certificate, Walker Leadership Institute programs, and NEXT Steps retirement program.
5. Bookstore: Eden Bookstore sells theological books and resources.
6. Educational Partnership: Tiered partnership program where congregations and organizations pay annual fees ($500-$5,000) for access to educational content, training, and discounts on programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Eden Theological Seminary delivers accredited theological education through graduate degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Community Leadership, Doctor of Ministry), certificate programs, and community learning offerings. Education is delivered through a HyFlex learning model combining online asynchronous, hybrid, and synchronous formats. The seminary also offers student housing, a bookstore, and a tiered Educational Partnership program for congregations and organizations.

Product overview

Eden Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive theological education portfolio centered on its core degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Community Leadership, and Doctor of Ministry) alongside certificate programs (Graduate Credit Certificate, End-of-Life Doula Certificate) and specialized programs (Center for Lived Faith and Organizing, Walker Leadership Institute, NEXT Steps retirement program, Ministry Cohorts). The institution delivers education through a HyFlex learning model combining online asynchronous, hybrid, and synchronous formats. Key programs include the Contextual Education hands-on ministry training component, Educational Partnership for congregations, and the Momentum for Ministry Initiative. The seminary operates the Eden Online Community platform and provides student housing, library services, and VA educational benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Walker Leadership Institute: Leadership institute providing hard skills for nonprofit and congregation leaders including budgeting and human resources.
• Center for Lived Faith and Organizing
• End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program
• NEXT Steps: Redefining Retirement as Jubilee

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Professional theological degree combining academic studies with hands-on ministry practice. Serves individuals preparing for ordination in many denominations. Requires 72 credits over 3 years for full-time students, including 9 credits of Contextual Education.
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (M.A.P.S.) Foundational and practical theological education for lay, diaconal, or specialized ministry leadership. Alternative path for denominations not requiring M.Div. Requires 39 credits over 2 years for full-time students.
• Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) Academic theological degree focused on Biblical, historical, and theological foundations of Christian faith. Suited for careers in academia through scholarly research under faculty direction. Requires 46 credits with thesis.
• Master of Community Leadership (M.C.L.) Degree focused on theological imagination and social transformation, supporting social justice leaders through Justice Informed Care. Requires 36 credits over 1.5 years for full-time students with 4.5 credits of Contextual Education and capstone project.
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) Advanced professional degree building on accredited master's degree in ministry-related area. Provides continued theological study and reflection on ministry practice. Requires 30 credits minimum over 3 years with annual on-campus intensive seminars.
• Dual Degree Programs Combined degree options pairing Eden's M.Div. or M.A.P.S. with a Master of Social Work from Washington University's Brown School, or a Master of Business Administration from Elmhurst University (available via distance education).
• Graduate Credit Certificate Program Training in specific areas of ministry through master's-level credit-bearing courses. Courses may be applied toward degree programs and certificates may be stackable.
• End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% placement rate for Class of 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Washington University George Warren Brown School of Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual degree partnership where students earn both a Master's degree from Eden Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University.
• Elmhurst UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual degree partnership where students earn both a Master's degree from Eden Theological Seminary and a Master of Business Administration from Elmhurst University. The Elmhurst MBA is available via distance education.
• United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (Minnesota)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration as part of the Momentum for Ministry Initiative through the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality, working to increase educated progressive leaders and foster collaboration among seminaries.
• Saskatoon Theological Union (Canada)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo schools of the Saskatoon Theological Union in Canada collaborating in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality initiative.
• Memphis Theological Seminary (Tennessee)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality to prepare leaders for ministry and foster collaboration among seminaries nationwide.
• BSK Theological Seminary (Kentucky)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality to prepare leaders for ministry and foster collaboration among seminaries nationwide.
• UCC Pension BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional body and church organization collaborating in the Momentum for Ministry Initiative to support Christian leaders and congregations.
• United Church FundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch organization collaborating in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality initiative.
• Southern New England Conference UCCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional church body collaborating in the Momentum for Ministry Initiative to support Christian leaders and congregations.
• AdMinWiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcumenical organization collaborating in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality.
• United Church of ChristcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEden Seminary is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, integral to churches of multiple denominations, and welcoming of people of no church or Christian affiliation. Eden is an open and affirming seminary of the UCC.
• St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch records held by Eden Archives have been microfilmed and are available for research at St. Louis County Library History and Genealogy Department.
• The Center for Abundant Aging with United Church HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop and co-lead the NEXT Steps program redefining retirement as jubilee, combining expertise in spirituality, gerontology, theology, and psychology.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities: UCC-affiliated progressive seminary in Minnesota and direct partner of Eden in the Progressive Christian Ministry System for Congregational Vitality. Offers comparable M.Div. and D.Min. programs with a similar progressive, ecumenical orientation.
• Memphis Theological Seminary: Progressive mainline seminary in Tennessee and Eden's partner in the Progressive Christian Ministry System. Offers M.Div. and similar graduate theology degrees with strong social-justice emphasis, directly comparable in mission and product mix.
• BSK Theological Seminary: Formerly Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, now BSK; partner of Eden in the Progressive Christian Ministry System. Comparable graduate theology programs serving progressive Christian students with similar community-justice framing.
• Chicago Theological Seminary: UCC-affiliated progressive seminary offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. programs. Direct peer in the UCC progressive seminary ecosystem with similar diversity, social-justice orientation, and Chicago-based operations.
• Pacific School of Religion: UCC-affiliated progressive seminary in Berkeley, California offering M.Div., M.T.S., and D.Min. Closely comparable in denominational affiliation, progressive identity, and graduate theology/ministry product portfolio.
• Iliff School of Theology: United Methodist-affiliated seminary in Denver offering M.Div., M.T.S., M.A., and D.Min. Comparable graduate theology and ministry programs with progressive orientation, Methodist connection, and similar Ecumenical/justice focus.
• Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary: United Methodist-affiliated seminary on Northwestern University's Evanston campus offering M.Div., M.T.S., and D.Min. with progressive Mainline orientation — directly comparable in product mix and Methodist connection.
• Lancaster Theological Seminary: UCC-affiliated seminary of the Evangelical and Reformed tradition (same denominational heritage as Eden through the 1957 UCC merger) offering graduate theology and ministry programs.

Broad incumbents

• Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School: Yale Divinity School now houses the former Andover Newton program; a far larger, well-endowed Mainline divinity school offering M.Div., M.A.R., and S.T.M. degrees with progressive orientation — broader incumbent competitor with deeper resources.

Emerging players

• Howard University School of Divinity: HBCU-affiliated divinity school with a strong social-justice and progressive Christian orientation; comparable in its commitment to African-American ministerial formation and overlapping student demographics with Eden's 45% African-American student body.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/EdenTheologicalSeminary
• Facebookfacebook.com/EdenTheologicalSeminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/eden-theological-seminary
• Instagraminstagram.com/edenseminary
• Xx.com/edenseminary

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Eden Theological Seminary