North Central University
North Central University is a private, nonprofit Christian university in downtown Minneapolis owned by 11 Assemblies of God districts, delivering 30+ on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs to traditional, transfer, graduate, international, PSEO, and ministry-bound students with a denominational recruitment network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1930
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What North Central University does
North Central University (NCU), founded in 1930 and headquartered at 910 Elliot Ave in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a private, nonprofit Christian university owned and operated by 11 Assemblies of God districts in the upper Midwest. The institution delivers 30+ undergraduate and graduate programs across three academic schools (Humanities & Sciences, Ministry & Worship, Business & Leadership) through three primary channels: on-campus residential undergraduate programs, fully online undergraduate and graduate programs (M.A. in Biblical Theology and M.A. in Strategic Leadership), and pathway programs (Pathways degree completion, PSEO dual enrollment, RAMA B.A.M.A. homeschool partnership, Called College ministry partnership). The technology stack is conventional higher-ed SaaS: Canvas as the LMS, Skyline as the SIS, Tutor.com for 24/7 tutoring integrated within Canvas courses, LiveSafe for campus safety, and Touchnet for billing — no proprietary or AI-driven systems.
NCU's business model is tuition-driven: traditional undergraduates pay $16,100/semester (12-18 credits) plus fees; online undergraduates pay $455/credit; graduate students pay $660/credit; housing ranges from $2,645 to $3,135/semester and required meal plans from $2,190 to $2,270/semester. The university funds operations primarily through tuition, housing/dining revenue, and a 100% financial aid participation rate (average package $13,000) supported by institutional scholarships (Academic up to $16,000, Presidential up to $20,000, Regent's full tuition, MN Tuition Guarantee, music scholarships up to $5,000, and church-match up to $1,000) plus a 25% discount for credentialed Assemblies of God ministers and employees. Distribution is hybrid: traditional undergraduates are recruited through dedicated admissions counselors, prospective-student events (campus visits, graduate informational sessions, Welcome Week, orientation), and embedded Assemblies of God church referrals; non-traditional learners are acquired through online self-enrollment, transfer counselor outreach, and the four named channel partnerships (RiseUp, Called College, State of Minnesota PSEO, Crossroads Church). NCU serves roughly nine distinct customer segments ranging from traditional and online undergraduates to graduate, transfer, international, PSEO, Pathways degree-completion, Called College, and homeschool (RAMA B.A.M.A.) students.
North Central University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- North Central University
- Legal name
- North Central University
- Website
- https://northcentral.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1930
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- North Central University is a private, nonprofit Christian university in downtown Minneapolis owned by 11 Assemblies of God districts, delivering 30+ on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs to traditional, transfer, graduate, international, PSEO, and ministry-bound students with a denominational recruitment network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
North Central University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Christian Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (6112)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges (EDAHADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Urban/Metropolitan Community Colleges (EDAHADAL), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)
Keywords
Where North Central University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
North Central University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition charged per semester or credit hour for traditional undergraduate programs. 2026-27 rate is $16,100 per semester for 12-18 credits, plus fees of approximately $740 per semester. Additional revenue from technology fees, student services fees, and course-specific fees.
- Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs charge $660 per credit hour plus technology fee ($165/semester) and program fee ($230/semester). Approximately $4,355 estimated cost per semester based on 6 credit enrollment.
- Online Undergraduate Programs: Online undergraduate students pay $455 per credit hour plus $275 technology fee per semester. Lower cost structure than traditional residential programs, attracting working adult students.
- Housing and Dining Services: Residential students pay for housing ($2,645-$3,135/semester depending on residence hall) and required meal plans (14 meals/week at $2,190/semester or 18 meals at $2,270/semester). Orfield Apartments include rent with utilities.
- Pathways Program Tuition: Degree completion program for returning students charging $330 per credit (2026-2027 rate). Program fee of $195 per semester and $160 online course fee. Lower price point to facilitate re-enrollment.
- Discount Programs: NCU offers 25% tuition discounts for Assemblies of God credentialed ministers, full-time AG church employees, and NCU alumni pursuing graduate degrees. These discounts reduce tuition revenue but expand market access to specific populations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Traditional Undergraduate - Full-Time (12-18 credits) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Traditional Undergraduate - Per Credit (Part-time) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Graduate Programs - Per Credit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Online Undergraduate Programs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pathways Degree Completion Program |
| Other | Annual | Scholarships and Discounts |
| Subscription | Annual | Housing Options |
| Subscription | Annual | Meal Plans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
North Central University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
North Central University is a private Christian university that delivers Christ-centered higher education through on-campus undergraduate programs in downtown Minneapolis and fully online undergraduate and graduate programs. It offers 30+ degree programs across the School of Humanities & Sciences, School of Ministry & Worship, and School of Business & Leadership, plus specialized pathway programs for transfers, returning adults, PSEO high school students, homeschool students, and international learners. The institution also provides housing, dining, spiritual formation, NCAA Division III athletics, and academic support services.
Product overview
North Central University offers a unified portfolio of Christ-centered educational programs centered around three main delivery channels: traditional on-campus undergraduate programs in downtown Minneapolis, fully online undergraduate and graduate programs, and hybrid pathway programs for returning adult learners. The institution provides 30+ undergraduate and graduate programs across three academic schools (School of Humanities & Sciences, School of Ministry & Worship, School of Business & Leadership), supplemented by academic support services including tutoring, coaching, and accessibility accommodations. Student services are delivered through the Skyline portal platform, with integrated payment processing via Touchnet and textbook purchasing through TextBookX. The 4+1 accelerated program and Pathways completion program serve specific student populations seeking degree completion flexibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Traditional Undergraduate Programs Christ-centered undergraduate degree programs offered on campus in downtown Minneapolis, covering 30+ majors and minors across the School of Humanities & Sciences, School of Ministry & Worship, and School of Business & Leadership, including business, education, ministry, worship, humanities, and social sciences. Targeted at recent high school graduates seeking residential faith-based education.
- Graduate Programs (M.A. in Biblical Theology and M.A. in Strategic Leadership)
Quantifiable outcome
- 87.5% of Social Work majors (2018-2021) passed the Minnesota Licensed Social Worker exam on first attempts
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use North Central University
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
North Central University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
North Central University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RiseUp Homeschool MinistrycoreRiseUp Homeschool Ministry collaborates with NCU on the RAMA B.A.M.A. program, enabling homeschool students to complete associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in three years after high school. NCU professors teach courses hosted by RiseUp at Crossroads Church in Columbus, MN, allowing homeschool families to access college-level instruction through a faith-based organization.
- Called CollegecoreCalled College partners with NCU to offer associate degree programs aligned with vocations in Assemblies of God. The partnership provides flexible, affordable online courses preparing students for ministry service. NCU serves as the degree-granting institution while Called College provides the programmatic structure.
- State of Minnesota (PSEO Program)coreMinnesota's Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program enables eligible high school students to take NCU courses at no cost. The state pays tuition and NCU provides textbooks on loan, expanding access to Christ-centered higher education for Minnesota residents.
- Crossroads Church (Columbus, MN)minorCrossroads Church in Columbus, MN serves as the physical classroom location for RAMA B.A.M.A. PSEO courses taught by NCU professors. This venue partnership enables homeschool students in the greater Minnesota area to attend classes without traveling to NCU's downtown Minneapolis campus.
- Assemblies of God (11 Upper Midwest Districts)coreNCU is owned and operated by 11 Assemblies of God districts in the upper Midwest. This denominational ownership provides a built-in recruitment network, shared theological foundation, credentialing pathway, and connection to 12,000+ churches with 3 million members in the U.S. and 67 million adherents worldwide.
- Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM)coreAGWM Grant-Pennington Scholarship provides near full-tuition discount to dependent children of AGWM missionaries. NCU deeply values its relationship with Assemblies of God World Missions, supporting students committed to international ministry service.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
North Central University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Liberty University: Largest private Christian university in the US, with extensive online undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, plus a wide range of ministry and general education tracks. Competes with NCU in the online faith-based segment at meaningfully greater scale.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with a nationally scaled online undergraduate and graduate portfolio positioned on affordability and flexibility. Comparable to NCU on online modality and adult-learner appeal, but at materially larger scale and broader scope.
- Regent University: Private Christian university with a strong online graduate and professional school portfolio, including leadership, ministry, and business programs. Comparable to NCU in mission and online modality, with a larger national brand.
- Azusa Pacific University: Private Christian university in California offering a broad undergraduate, graduate, and online portfolio with Wesleyan/holiness roots. Comparable to NCU in faith-based mission and modality mix, with larger scale and broader program catalog.
Direct peers
- University of Northwestern - St. Paul: Private, Christ-centered four-year university in the Twin Cities metro offering on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs. Highly comparable to NCU on denomination-adjacent faith identity, location, size, and program mix.
- Bethel University: Private Christian university in Saint Paul, MN offering on-campus and online undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs with similar affordability positioning. Directly competes with NCU for Twin Cities faith-based students and adult learners.
- Crown College: Small private Christian college in St. Bonifacius, MN offering Christ-centered undergraduate and online programs with comparable affordability positioning. Closest direct peer by size, faith identity, and Minnesota market overlap.
- Moody Bible Institute: Private Christian higher education institution in Chicago offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs focused on ministry, theology, and biblical studies. Comparable faith-identity, online delivery, and ministry-track mix.
- Oral Roberts University: Private Pentecostal/charismatic Christian university in Tulsa, OK with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Strongest denominational analog to NCU's Assemblies of God affiliation, with comparable faith-formation and online modalities.
Regional players
- Augsburg University: Private university in Minneapolis offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs with strong commitments to affordability and social mobility. Comparable to NCU on Minneapolis location and affordability/serving-underrepresented-student positioning, though secular rather than faith-based.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
North Central University social profiles
Digital presenceNorth Central University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
North Central University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
North Central University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
North Central University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
North Central University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about North Central University
What does North Central University do?
North Central University is a private Christian university that delivers Christ-centered higher education through on-campus undergraduate programs in downtown Minneapolis and fully online undergraduate and graduate programs. It offers 30+ degree programs across the School of Humanities & Sciences, School of Ministry & Worship, and School of Business & Leadership, plus specialized pathway programs for transfers, returning adults, PSEO high school students, homeschool students, and international learners. The institution also provides housing, dining, spiritual formation, NCAA Division III athletics, and academic support services.
Is North Central University a public or private company?
North Central University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was North Central University founded?
North Central University was founded in 1930. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is North Central University based?
North Central University is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does North Central University make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are graduate Tuition, online Undergraduate Programs, housing and Dining Services, pathways Program Tuition and discount Programs.
Who are North Central University's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Liberty University, Southern New Hampshire University, Regent University and Azusa Pacific University. Direct peers are University of Northwestern - St. Paul, Bethel University, Crown College, Moody Bible Institute and Oral Roberts University. Augsburg University is listed as a regional player.
Does North Central University have an API?
No public API is recorded for North Central University.
What industry is North Central University in?
North Central University's product category is Christian Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAB, Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAHADAL, Urban/Metropolitan Community Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.