Christian Life College

What Christian Life College does

Christian Life College is a private, non-denominational, non-federally-accredited theological college headquartered at 400 E Gregory St., Mt. Prospect, Illinois, in continuous operation since its 1950 incorporation as Chicago Bible College. It delivers Christian higher-education programs — a Bachelor of Arts in Ministerial Studies, an Associate of Arts in Christian Studies, certificate programs, ministry- and education-focused minors, and a Korean-language theological track — through a hybrid model combining traditional on-campus semesters, online courses, and four-hour Zoom-enabled Saturday Intensives. The academic portal Populi handles admissions, coursework, and grading; Square processes tuition and event payments; and Zoom supports synchronous remote instruction.

The institution's revenue model is tuition-driven: $150 per credit hour ($2,250 per semester at 15 credits), supplemented by on-campus Birkemeier Suites housing at $1,850 per semester, a meal plan estimated at $2,978, plus Saturday Intensive fees ($75 audit / $150 credit) and event income. Because the college is not federally accredited, students cannot access federal financial aid; instead, the college layers institutional scholarships — Pastoral/Missionary (20% tuition), Resident Advisor (10% housing), Church Match (up to $500/semester), and The Fellowship Network awards — to offset cost. Marketing relies on church referral networks, articulation partner institutions, the annual Ascension Convention, and organic social channels rather than paid acquisition.

The customer base is primarily individual learners pursuing ministry credentials or personal biblical study, with secondary segments in transfer students from articulation partners, Korean-speaking students, and lifelong-learner church leaders. Governance is provided by a board chaired by Dr. Harry R. Schmidt with operating leadership from President Dr. Daryl Merrill, Jr., Academic Dean Wayne R. Wachsmuth, and a small staff headed by Haley Benson (Registrar). The institution has no parent company, no outside equity investment, and no disclosed funding rounds, consistent with a board-governed nonprofit educational organization.

Name

Christian Life College

Legal name

Christian Life College

Website

https://christianlifecollege.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Christian Life College is a private, non-denominational theological college in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, offering affordable BA, AA, certificate, online, and Korean-language ministry programs to individual students preparing for Christian service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Biblical studies
• Ministry training
• Christian higher education
• Pastoral studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The college generates revenue primarily through tuition charged per credit hour ($150/credit). Full-time students (15 credit hours) pay $2,250 per semester in tuition plus $175 in fees. Additional revenue comes from on-campus housing ($1,850/semester) and meal plans ($2,978 estimated).
2. Saturday Intensive Course Fees: The college offers Saturday intensive courses for both audit ($75) and credit ($150) purposes, providing a flexible revenue stream from both degree-seeking students and community learners.
3. Institutional Scholarships (Cost Reduction): While not a revenue stream per se, the college offers institutional scholarships including Pastoral/Missionary (20% tuition), Resident Advisor (10% housing), and Church Match (up to $500/semester matching), reducing net tuition revenue but enabling access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Christian Life College is a private, non-profit Christian college offering theological education through Bachelor of Arts and Associate of Arts degree programs, academic minors, certificate programs, and Saturday intensive courses. The institution prepares students for pastoral ministry, missions work, and lay leadership within Christian churches and parachurch organizations.

Product overview

Christian Life College offers a comprehensive theological education with multiple degree programs, certificate offerings, and delivery formats. The core offerings include Bachelor of Arts in Ministerial Studies (64 semester hours) and Associate of Arts in Christian Studies (128 semester hours), supplemented by ministry and education-focused minors, certificate programs (21 semester hours), and the Korean Program for Korean-speaking students. Educational delivery includes traditional on-campus courses, Saturday Intensive Courses (single four-hour sessions available for audit at $75 or credit at $150), and online education through their online platform. Campus facilities include the Meade Memorial Library, Birkemeier Suites on-campus housing, and the Ascension Convention annual youth event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies Undergraduate baccalaureate program providing comprehensive biblical, theological, and ministerial training for individuals pursuing vocational ministry or graduate theological study.
• Associate of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies Two-year undergraduate program delivering foundational biblical and theological coursework, suitable for lay ministry, church staff roles, or as a stepping stone toward a bachelor's degree.
• Certificate Programs Non-degree credential offerings that equip students with focused training in specific areas of ministry or biblical studies for personal enrichment or church service.
• Academic Minors Secondary concentrations in biblical or theological subjects that complement a student's primary degree field, broadening their ministry preparation.
• Saturday Intensive Courses Accelerated, condensed-format courses delivered on Saturdays, designed to accommodate working adults, bi-vocational pastors, and ministry practitioners seeking continuing education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75 years of continuous operation training Kingdom-minded leaders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Beulah Heights UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Grace Mission UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Fullerton, California.
• Visible Music CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Memphis, Tennessee.
• Christian Life College, MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Madison, Wisconsin.
• EPIC Bible College & Graduate SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Sacramento, California.
• Living Stones MinistryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• La Fuente Instituto (Vanguardia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Tepic, Mexico.
• Ministry Studies OnlineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Nixa, Missouri.
• Will Go MissionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Carroll, Iowa.
• World College of TheologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Salisbury, Maryland.
• Lake Tanganika Christian CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Kigoma, Tanzania.
• Radiant School of WorshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Richland, Michigan.
• Wolaitta Evangelical SeminaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for cooperation and transfer of academic credits. Located in Soddo, Ethiopia.
• Christian Life ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost church for the college located at 400 E Gregory St, Mt Prospect, IL 60056. Associated ministry The Kids Pantry provides community service opportunities for students through Friday Food Day.
• Whitestone Counseling ResourcesminorOthersMental health support connection for students. Luke Merrill, a licensed therapist and member of CLC teaching staff, is available for guidance. Counseling services provided through this external resource.
• Hyatt Regency O'Hare ChicagominorOthersConvention venue for the annual Ascension Convention, a youth event held during the three days leading up to Easter. CLC students organize and lead the event gaining hands-on ministry experience.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Large evangelical university with extensive online and on-campus undergraduate programs including religion and ministry; comparable in faith-based higher-ed and online delivery, but at vastly larger scale.
• Biola University: Larger evangelical Christian university in California offering undergraduate and graduate theological programs alongside secular majors; comparable in Christian higher-ed positioning but with broader portfolio and accreditation.

Direct peers

• Columbia International University: Bible college and seminary in South Carolina with BA/BS programs in Biblical Studies, ministry, and theological education; comparable in faith-based undergraduate ministry focus and credit-transfer flexibility.
• Visible Music College: Music-focused ministry college in Memphis with an articulation agreement to CLC; comparable in faith-based, non-denominational identity and small specialized college model.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-area, non-denominational Bible college and seminary offering undergraduate ministry degrees and certificates; comparable to CLC in mission, curriculum, and regional draw, but at significantly larger scale.
• Bob Jones University: Fundamentalist Christian university offering undergraduate ministry and Bible degrees with a faith-rooted curriculum; comparable in theological focus and residential college model.
• EPIC Bible College & Graduate School: Small Bible college in Sacramento with an articulation agreement to CLC; highly comparable in non-denominational mission, undergraduate ministry focus, and small college footprint.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Non-denominational seminary offering graduate theological degrees with a focus on ministry preparation; comparable in mission and Spirit-evangelical orientation, though at the graduate level.
• Beulah Heights University: Pentecostal Bible college in Atlanta with articulation agreement to CLC; comparable in non-denominational/Spirit-filled mission, undergraduate ministry programs, and small institution profile.
• Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Evangelical Baptist seminary offering theological and ministry degrees; comparable in ministry-preparation mission and faith-rooted curriculum, though primarily graduate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCN64IFzaSZdGFKNmr6vkEtA
• Facebookfacebook.com/122830027740252
• Instagraminstagram.com/christianlifecollegemp/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Christian Life College