San Diego Christian College

What San Diego Christian College does

San Diego Christian College (SDCC) is a private, non-profit Christ-centered institution of higher education located in Santee, California (mailing via El Cajon), originally founded in 1970 as Christian Heritage College by Dr. Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Dr. Art Peters, and Dr. Henry Morris. SDCC delivers 19 degree programs organized across four modalities: residential undergraduate degrees (Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Communication, Interdisciplinary Studies, Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, Liberal Studies, Psychology), accelerated online and adult programs (Business Management, Christian Ministries, Human Development, Leadership, Liberal Studies, Psychology), graduate programs (Leadership MS, Teaching MA, and California Teaching Credentials), and concurrent enrollment for high school students. The institution holds WASC Senior College and University Commission regional accreditation, currently under a Show Cause sanction with a remaining financial sustainability compliance issue, and is subject to FERPA and Title IX obligations. The teaching model is classroom- and LMS-based with no proprietary technology platform disclosed.

The college serves five primary customer segments: traditional-age residential undergraduates (the primary segment), online working adults, graduate and credential-seeking students, military veterans and active-duty personnel (via VA GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, MyCAA), and international students on F-1 visas. Revenue is generated through tuition and fees (the dominant stream), donations and fundraising from alumni and faith-based supporters, and government grants including HEERF emergency relief under the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and the American Rescue Plan. Specific tuition rates are not publicly disclosed on available source pages. Distribution is multi-modal: direct admissions counseling for on-campus enrollment, self-serve online application for adult learners, and partner/referral channels for concurrent enrollment.

Operationally, SDCC is in an active turnaround posture. Following leadership changes in mid-2023, a new President (Dr. David Poole), a new CFO, Dean of Institutional Research, reconstituted Board of Trustees under a new Chairman, and external advisors from California Baptist University and Los Angeles Pacific University have been installed to address accreditation, financial sustainability, and enrollment challenges. The college has consolidated operations at its Santee campus with expansion potential facilitated by an external development partner, and it participates in community-service partnerships with local churches, para-church organizations, and nonprofits. The 12,000+ alumni base, the 2018 U.S. News Best Regional College West designation, and the NAIA Five-Star Institution athletic award form the institution's primary reputational assets.

Name

San Diego Christian College

Legal name

San Diego Christian College

Website

https://sdcc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit Christ-centered institution in Santee, California offering 19 undergraduate, online adult, graduate, and credential programs to traditional students, working adults, military personnel, and international learners.

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

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Online adult education
• Graduate degree programs
• Teaching credential programs

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charged for undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs. Tuition varies by program type (residential undergraduate, online, graduate).
2. Donations and Fundraising: Donations from alumni, individuals, corporations supporting Christian higher education. Strategic fundraising priorities document outlines funding goals.
3. Government Grants: Emergency relief funding through HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) under CARES Act, CRRSAA, and American Rescue Plan Act.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

San Diego Christian College is a private non-profit Christ-centered higher education institution offering 19 degree programs across residential undergraduate, online adult, and graduate modalities. The college delivers bachelor's and master's degrees plus California teaching credentials, with majors spanning Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Communication, Kinesiology, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Leadership, and Teaching. The institution is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and serves traditional undergraduates, working adult learners, international students, and military-affiliated students from its Santee, California campus.

Product overview

San Diego Christian College is a Christ-centered higher education institution offering a unified portfolio of educational programs. The college provides residential undergraduate programs (Biblical Studies, Business Administration, Communication, Interdisciplinary Studies, Kinesiology, Liberal Studies, Psychology), online and adult programs (Business Management, Christian Ministries, Human Development, Leadership, Liberal Studies), graduate programs (Leadership MS, Teaching MA, Teaching Credential), and concurrent enrollment options. The institution operates from its Santee, California campus and is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Undergraduate Programs Traditional on-campus undergraduate degree programs for residential students, integrating a biblical worldview across the curriculum. Majors offered include Biblical Studies (BA), Business Administration (BS), Communication (BA), Interdisciplinary Studies (BA), Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science (BS), Liberal Studies (BS, Education), and Psychology (BA). Designed for traditional-age college students seeking a residential campus experience with Christian education.
• Online & Adult Programs Accelerated online and/or campus programs designed for working adults seeking to begin or complete their degree. Offerings include Business Management (BS), Christian Ministries (BA), Communication (BA), Human Development (BA), Leadership (BS), Liberal Studies (AA), and Psychology (BA) degrees, formatted for flexible adult learner scheduling.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level programs for working adults who have completed their undergraduate degree, including Leadership (MS), Teaching (MA), and California Teaching Credential programs. Designed to support career advancement and California teaching certification.
• Concurrent Enrollment Program allowing high school students to enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school, enabling them to earn early college credit and accelerate their future degree progress.

Quantifiable outcome

• WASC accreditation restored under Show Cause status with opportunity to demonstrate full compliance by Spring 2024

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• East County Transitional Living CenterminorOthersPara church organization providing services to families transitioning from homelessness. SDCC students serve through property maintenance, praise and worship music, food service, and office skills.
• Hope Leadership AcademyminorOthersChristian youth ministry serving fatherless families in underserved communities through camps, outreaches, and after school programs.
• CAPS Pregnancy ClinicsminorOthersNon-profit pregnancy medical clinic offering free services including pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and resources. Faith-based organization.
• Young LifeminorOthersPara church organization introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in faith through evangelism, adventure, and discipleship.
• InterVarsity Christian FellowshipminorOthersPara church organization establishing and advancing witnessing communities at colleges and universities.
• San Diego Food BankminorOthersNon-profit food bank where SDCC students volunteer in warehouse packing food for those in need.
• Shadow Mountain ChurchminorOthersChurch where SDCC students serve in various ministry capacities.
• Skyline ChurchminorOthersChurch partner with campus pastor involvement in SDCC chapel services.
• Mexico Missions (Tecate Bible Institute)minorOthersMonthly missions trips to Tecate, Mexico providing maintenance and construction support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Biola University: Private evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California offering residential undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with biblical integration across curricula. Directly comparable evangelical identity, California geography, and multi-modal program structure.
• William Jessup University: Private non-denominational Christian university in Rocklin, California offering undergraduate, graduate, online, and credential programs with biblical integration. Comparable California Christian college structure, target market, and modality mix.
• Concordia University Irvine: Private Lutheran-affiliated Christian university in Irvine, California offering undergraduate, graduate, and online adult programs with faith integration. Comparable size, faith-based curriculum integration, and SoCal market positioning to SDCC.
• Vanguard University: Private Assembly of God-affiliated Christian university in Costa Mesa, California offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a Pentecostal worldview. Similar California Christian college identity, comparable program portfolio, and overlapping Southern California target market.
• Simpson University: Private Christian university in Redding, California affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, offering undergraduate and graduate programs including online and adult learners. Comparable California Christian college scale, faith-based curriculum, and program portfolio including teaching credentials.
• California Baptist University: Large private Southern California Christian university offering undergraduate, online adult, and graduate programs including teaching credentials. Explicitly referenced in SDCC's advisor hires (Dr. Dirk Davis and Dr. Ron Ellis), confirming the institutions as direct comparables in the California Christian higher education segment.
• Hope International University: Private Christian university in Fullerton, California affiliated with the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Similar California private Christian college scale and curriculum integration approach to SDCC.
• Fresno Pacific University: Private Mennonite Brethren-affiliated Christian university in Fresno, California offering undergraduate, graduate, credential, and adult degree completion programs. Comparable California Christian college profile with similar multi-modal program delivery and faith integration approach.
• Point Loma Nazarene University: San Diego-based private Christian university of comparable size offering residential undergraduate and graduate programs with a faith-based integration lens. Most directly comparable peer by geography, denomination-adjacent identity, and institutional scale.

Broad incumbents

• Azusa Pacific University: Larger private evangelical Christian university in Azusa, California with comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. References to Los Angeles Pacific University as part of APU's system appear in SDCC's management roster, indicating institutional adjacency and overlap in the Christian higher education market SDCC competes for.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SDChristian
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/sandiegochristiancollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/94585732233
• Instagraminstagram.com/sandiegochristiancollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-christian-college

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 San Diego Christian College