Divine Word College
Divine Word College is a private Catholic seminary in Epworth, Iowa, owned by the Society of the Divine Word, offering undergraduate degrees, a Pre-Theology Certificate, and a CEA-accredited ESL program to prepare students for Catholic missionary service globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersEpworth, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Divine Word College does
Divine Word College is a private Roman Catholic seminary and 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution located in Epworth, Iowa, owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) — the largest Catholic missionary congregation of men globally, with nearly 6,000 missionaries serving in more than 80 countries. Founded in 1932 as St. Paul's Mission House and re-established as a four-year liberal arts college in 1964, the college's stated mission is to prepare students for Catholic missionary service. It enrolls approximately 100+ full-time students from up to 20 countries annually and maintains a 100% IPEDS retention rate from Fall 2021 through 2024. The institution is the only Roman Catholic seminary college in the United States dedicated exclusively to missionary formation.
The college's product portfolio centers on undergraduate degree programs (Theology & Mission, Philosophy, Intercultural Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies), a Pre-Theology Certificate aligned with the USCCB Program of Priestly Formation, and the CEA-accredited Intensive English Language Institute (IELI). All academic programs are integrated with a Spiritual Formation Program encompassing spiritual direction, retreats, and daily liturgies. The underlying technology stack is conventional: Populi for student information management, Microsoft Office 365 for communications, and a virtual tour platform. The college holds full 10-year Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation (2026) and CEA accreditation through August 2027, and was recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2022.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining tuition/fees and charitable donations. Tuition examples include $4,000 per 8-week ESL term (2025-2026) and $1,150 per term for on-campus room and board, but the institution states that students receive more than $1 million annually in scholarship assistance from the endowment fund, with the Good Neighbor Scholarship covering two-year degree tuition entirely. The development operation supports multiple giving vehicles (annual fund, monthly donors, planned gifts, IRA QCDs, donor-advised funds) and institutionalizes donor engagement through annual events such as the 12th Annual Benefit Golf Outing. Student recruitment operates through SVD vocation networks, parish connections, and international seminary partnerships across 20+ countries.
Divine Word College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Divine Word College
- Legal name
- Divine Word College
- Website
- https://dwci.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Divine Word College is a private Catholic seminary in Epworth, Iowa, owned by the Society of the Divine Word, offering undergraduate degrees, a Pre-Theology Certificate, and a CEA-accredited ESL program to prepare students for Catholic missionary service globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Divine Word College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education / Religious Seminary
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious Organizations (8131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)
Keywords
Where Divine Word College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Epworth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Divine Word College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Giving: Divine Word College relies significantly on charitable donations from benefactors. The college offers multiple giving vehicles including annual fund contributions, monthly donor programs, planned gifts, family trusts, IRA qualified charitable distributions, and donor-advised fund contributions. The endowment generates scholarship assistance exceeding $1 million annually for students.
- Tuition and Fees: The college generates revenue through tuition and fees for its academic programs. The Good Neighbor Scholarship offers two-year degree tuition-free, indicating substantial scholarship funding. ESL program tuition is $3,500-$4,000 per 8-week term. Most seminary students receive significant scholarship assistance as the institution prioritizes accessibility for missionary formation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Per term | Full-Time ESL Program 8-week term |
| Unit Pricing | Per term | Part-Time ESL Program per contact hour |
| Subscription | Per term | Full-Time Summer ESL 6-week term |
| Subscription | Per term | On-campus Room and Board 8-week term |
| Subscription | Per term | On-campus Summer Room and Board 6-week term |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Divine Word College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Divine Word College is a Roman Catholic seminary college providing undergraduate liberal arts education combined with spiritual and missionary formation for Catholic missionaries. It offers BA and AA degrees in Theology & Mission, Philosophy, Intercultural Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies, a Certificate in Pre-Theology for priesthood candidates, an ESL program (IELI), and a Core Curriculum integrated with spiritual formation services. The college is operated by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and serves students from more than 20 countries.
Product overview
Divine Word College is a Roman Catholic seminary that offers a unified portfolio of educational and formation programs preparing men and women for missionary service. The core academic offerings include Theology & Mission (BA/AA), Philosophy (BA), Intercultural Studies (BA/AA), and Interdisciplinary Studies (AA) degree programs, supplemented by a Certificate in Pre-Theology for priesthood candidates. The Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) provides ESL instruction from beginner to advanced levels. All academic programs are integrated with spiritual formation services, daily liturgies, and an intercultural community environment. The 51-credit Core Curriculum provides the liberal arts foundation across all degree programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Intensive English Language Institute (IELI): CEA-accredited English language program offering intensive 8-level instruction from beginner to advanced, with small classes, one-on-one tutoring, and cultural field trips.
Products and services
- Theology & Mission Program Undergraduate degree program combining academic knowledge with critical thinking and spiritual development to help students connect traditional Church teachings with modern-day ministry issues. Offers BA (36 credits) and AA (18 credits) degrees.
- Philosophy Program
- Intercultural Studies Program
- Interdisciplinary Studies Program
- Certificate in Pre-Theology
- Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) CEA-accredited intensive English language program for all levels (beginner to advanced) with 8-week terms, small classes, one-on-one tutoring, and cultural field trips. Supports students preparing for ministry, community engagement, or continued education.
- Core Curriculum
- Spiritual Formation Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% retention rate (Fall 2021-2024)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Divine Word College
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Divine Word College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Divine Word College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Catholic Theological Union (CTU)coreDivine Word College maintains a direct pathway partnership with Catholic Theological Union in Chicago for graduate theological studies. The Pre-Theology Certificate program specifically prepares students for admission to CTU's Master of Divinity Program. The USCCB Program of Priestly Formation requirements for priesthood candidates align with CTU's program standards.
- Society of the Divine Word (SVD)coreDivine Word College is owned and operated by the Society of the Divine Word, the largest missionary congregation of men in the Catholic Church. The SVD provides institutional support, missionary placement for graduates, and the spiritual framework (charism) for the college's formation programs. Nearly 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries serve in 80+ countries.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Divine Word College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kenrick-Glennon Seminary: Archdiocesan seminary in St. Louis, Missouri providing priestly formation. Comparable as a U.S. Catholic seminary offering philosophy and pre-theology programs with residential formation.
- Sacred Heart Major Seminary: Catholic seminary in Detroit offering pre-theology, theology, and graduate ministry programs. Comparable as a Catholic seminary combining philosophy, theology, and spiritual formation.
- Catholic Theological Union: Chicago-based Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry that serves as DWC's downstream graduate pathway partner. Directly comparable as a Roman Catholic institution offering theological degrees, formation programs, and ESL pathways for international candidates.
- Pontifical College Josephinum: Pontifical seminary in Columbus, Ohio operated under Vatican authority. Comparable as a Catholic seminary providing philosophical and theological formation for priesthood candidates.
- University of Saint Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary): Major diocesan seminary and graduate school of theology in Illinois. Directly comparable as a U.S. Catholic seminary providing priestly formation aligned with USCCB Program of Priestly Formation standards.
- St. Mary's Seminary and University: Catholic seminary in Baltimore offering pre-theology, theology, and Master of Divinity programs. Directly comparable as a U.S. Catholic seminary producing ordained priests and lay ministers.
- Mount Saint Mary's Seminary: Catholic seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland operated by the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. Comparable as a Catholic seminary combining pre-theology, philosophy, theology, and spiritual formation.
- Borromeo Seminary: Catholic seminary in Ohio providing priestly formation for the Diocese of Cleveland. Comparable as a Catholic seminary offering pre-theology and theology programs.
- Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary: Catholic seminary in Massachusetts focused on later-life vocations. Comparable as a Catholic seminary offering priestly formation aligned with USCCB standards.
Broad incumbents
- The Catholic University of America: National Catholic university in Washington, D.C. with pontifical status and seminary programs. Comparable as a Catholic higher education institution offering theology, philosophy, and graduate ministry degrees, though operating at much larger scale across multiple disciplines.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Divine Word College social profiles
Digital presenceDivine Word College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Divine Word College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Divine Word College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Divine Word College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Divine Word College 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 Divine Word College
What does Divine Word College do?
Divine Word College is a Roman Catholic seminary college providing undergraduate liberal arts education combined with spiritual and missionary formation for Catholic missionaries. It offers BA and AA degrees in Theology & Mission, Philosophy, Intercultural Studies, and Interdisciplinary Studies, a Certificate in Pre-Theology for priesthood candidates, an ESL program (IELI), and a Core Curriculum integrated with spiritual formation services. The college is operated by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and serves students from more than 20 countries.
Is Divine Word College a public or private company?
Divine Word College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Divine Word College founded?
Divine Word College was founded in 1964. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Divine Word College based?
Divine Word College is headquartered in Epworth, United States, in the North America region.
How does Divine Word College make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Giving is the primary driver. The others are tuition and Fees.
Who are Divine Word College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Catholic Theological Union, Pontifical College Josephinum, University of Saint Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary), St. Mary's Seminary and University, Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, Borromeo Seminary and Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. The Catholic University of America is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Divine Word College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Divine Word College.
What industry is Divine Word College in?
Divine Word College's product category is Higher Education / Religious Seminary. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAKAB, Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies), with a secondary code of EDAHAKAM, Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.