Life Pacific College

What Life Pacific College does

Life Pacific University is a private, nonprofit Christian institution of higher education affiliated with The Foursquare Church denomination, headquartered in San Dimas, California. Founded in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson as the Echo Park Evangelistic and Missionary Training Institute, the institution has evolved from a two-year Bible college into a regionally and biblically accredited university offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across biblical studies, ministry, theology, business, psychology, communications, and worship arts. Fall 2025 enrollment stands at 742 students (537 undergraduate, 205 graduate), supported by 110+ faculty and staff. A bicoastal footprint includes the San Dimas main campus and the LPU-VA extension campus in Christiansburg, Virginia (transitioning from brick-and-mortar in June 2026); programs are also delivered online through LPU Online and globally through LPU Global.

The institution operates three delivery platforms: a residential on-campus experience anchored by NAIA athletics, chapel life, and small 13:1–16:1 student-faculty ratios; online degree programs built on Canvas and Moodle learning management systems with Microsoft 365 integration; and Spanish-language pathways (programas hispanos) serving a 40% Hispanic/Latino student body. Curriculum is delivered alongside non-degree certificate programs in Biblical Foundations, Chaplaincy, Racial Reconciliation, NextGen leadership, and Spanish-language tracks, plus the McPherson Preaching Institute for clergy development. Technology infrastructure includes the LPU Mobile App (iOS/Android), a 3D virtual tour platform, Rave Guardian campus safety, Handshake career placement, and a library system with 750,000+ e-books and 93 databases.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees across traditional undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, online, and certificate programs (annual billing), supplemented by donations and planned gifts (ECFA-accredited fundraising), federal financial aid administration (Pell Grants, scholarships serving 97% of incoming undergraduates), and athletics-related income. The university distributes its offerings through personal admissions counselors, campus preview events, an online enrollment portal, the Foursquare Church partnership network, and dedicated Hispanic ministry channels. Strategic positioning emphasizes affordable biblically-centered education (ranked #11 Best Value and #5 Social Mobility by U.S. News), bilingual ministerial training, and alignment with Pentecostal/Foursquare ministerial credentialing pathways.

Name

Life Pacific College

Legal name

Life Pacific University

Website

https://lifepacific.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Life Pacific University is a private, nonprofit Christian university affiliated with The Foursquare Church, serving ~742 students through residential, online, and Spanish-language programs from its San Dimas, California campus, offering associate through doctoral degrees plus certificates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical theology programs
• Ministry leadership training
• Online seminary degrees
• Certificate ministry programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Dimas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs charged to students. The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees with tuition rates that vary by program level and delivery format (on-campus vs online).
2. Donations and Gifts: Charitable contributions from alumni, friends, churches, and organizations including online donations, planned gifts, stock donations, cryptocurrency, and employer matching programs. The university is a member of ECFA and emphasizes financial stewardship.
3. Financial Aid Administration: Administration of federal student aid including Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, and grants that support student enrollment
4. Athletics Revenue: NAIA intercollegiate athletics program generating revenue through student participation and campus engagement

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Life Pacific College delivers biblically integrated higher education through associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, plus continuing-education certificates and accelerated 4+1 pathways. Courses are delivered on campus in San Dimas, California and Christiansburg, Virginia, and fully online through the LPU Online and LPU Global platforms, with several programs offered in Spanish for Hispanic students. The institution also operates the McPherson Preaching Institute for preacher training and provides student services such as career placement, library access, and mobile campus engagement tools.

Product overview

Life Pacific University is a Christian higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs and certificates across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The institution operates primarily through three delivery models: traditional on-campus programs at its San Dimas, California location, online programs through the LPU Online platform, and global education via LPU Global. Academic programs span biblical studies, ministry, theology, business, psychology, communications, and worship arts. Graduate offerings include the Master of Divinity, various Master of Arts programs, and Doctor of Ministry degrees, with several programs available in Spanish for Hispanic students. The university also provides certificate programs for continuing education and professional development, along with the McPherson Preaching Institute for preacher training. Student services are supported through Canvas and Moodle learning management systems, Handshake career placement, and a dedicated mobile application for campus engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• McPherson Preaching Institute: MPI trains preachers with a Pentecostal ethos, emphasizing relevance and contemporary insight. Fosters a comprehensive community that is intercultural, intergenerational, and interdenominational.

Products and services

• Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies
• Associate of Arts in General Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Theology & Ministry
• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Arts in Media & Communications
• Bachelor of Arts in Worship Arts & Media
• Bachelor of Arts in Ministry & Leadership
• Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Counseling
• Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies
• Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Divinity
• Maestría en Liderazgo (Spanish Master of Arts in Leadership)
• Doctor of Ministry
• Doctorado en Ministerio (Spanish Doctor of Ministry)
• Certificate in Biblical Foundations
• Certificate in Racial Reconciliation
• Certificate in Chaplaincy
• Capellanía Certificate (Spanish)
• NextGen Certificate
• Fundamentos Bíblicos Certificate (Spanish)
• DMin Essentials of Biblical Exegesis
• LPU Online
• LPU Global
• McPherson Preaching Institute (MPI)
• 4+1 Accelerated Degree Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of graduates seeking employment are employed
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foursquare Chaplains InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Partnership agreement signed during Foursquare Connection 2026 in San Antonio creating a 50% tuition scholarship for applicants endorsed or approved by Foursquare Chaplains International pursuing the Master of Divinity at LPU. This partnership supports chaplaincy training and professional development within the Foursquare denomination.
• Foursquare ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Life Pacific University is the premier higher education institution of the Foursquare Church denomination. The university offers opportunity for students to pursue ministerial license through the denomination. Partnership includes President's Church Network connecting LPU with local churches. Three new church partnership agreements signed at Foursquare Connection 2026.
• LPU-VA (Ignite Leadership Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019LPU East initially began as Ignite Leadership Academy and was welcomed to the LPU family in 2019, creating a bicoastal institution. Located in Christiansburg, Virginia, the Virginia campus serves students on the East Coast. The East Branch Campus announced transition from brick-and-mortar operations in June 2026.
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)coreOthersWASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) provides regional accreditation recognized by U.S. Department of Education and Council on Higher Education Accreditation. LPU is compliant with WASC standards.
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)coreOthersABHE Commission on Accreditation grants certificates and degrees at Associate, Baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctoral levels. Recognized by CHEA and USDE.
• Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)minorOthersECFA membership demonstrates commitment to financial integrity and God-honoring ethical practices in fundraising and financial management.
• The Association of Theological SchoolsminorOthersLife Pacific University Seminary (LPUS) is an Associate Member of ATS but not yet an Accredited Member. Pursuing COA accreditation with hopes of receiving initial accreditation in 2027.
• America's Christian Credit UnionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlumni benefit partnership providing college tuition savings plan for children of alumni through America's Christian Credit Union.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oral Roberts University: Large private Pentecostal university in Tulsa, Oklahoma founded by Oral Roberts. Comparable on Pentecostal theological identity, Foursquare-adjacent charismatic heritage, and comprehensive undergraduate/graduate/seminary offerings, though significantly larger and broader in scope.

Direct peers

• Simpson University: Private Christian university in Redding, California affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Comparable on size, California location, faith-based mission, and A.A./B.A./M.A./M.Div. program structure relevant to LPU's bicoastal model.
• Hope International University: Private Christian university in Fullerton, California affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Comparable on size, faith-based mission, undergraduate/graduate programs, and California-market competition.
• Point Loma Nazarene University: Private Wesleyan-Holiness Christian university in San Diego, California. Comparable in size, mission, undergraduate/graduate portfolio, and faith-based residential experience, though Wesleyan rather than Pentecostal in theology.
• The Master's University: Private Christian university in Santa Clarita, California with a Bible-college heritage and conservative evangelical/Pentecostal-adjacent identity. Comparable on program mix, California location, and faith-based residential experience.
• Biola University: Private, non-denominational evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. Comparable to LPU in size, faith-based undergraduate/graduate programming, regional accreditation, and California-market competition for Christian students.
• Vanguard University: Private Pentecostal (Assemblies of God) Christian university in Costa Mesa, California. Closest theological and denominational peer to LPU's Foursquare identity, with overlapping undergraduate, seminary, and Hispanic ministry programming.
• Fresno Pacific University: Private Christian university in Fresno, California affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren. Comparable on size, California regional market, faith-based mission, undergraduate/graduate programs, and commitment to serving Hispanic and underrepresented student populations in the Central Valley.
• William Jessup University: Private Christian university in Rocklin, California, with Pentecostal/evangelical roots. Comparable on faith-based mission, California regional market, undergraduate/graduate programs, and Foursquare-adjacent denomination ties.
• Azusa Pacific University: Private Christian university in the greater Los Angeles area offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs from a Christian worldview. Directly comparable to LPU on region, faith-based mission, denominational heritage, and program portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LifePacific
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCoFaPPOHDhOYmDx_WXlF_WQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/705542156
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/life-pacific-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/lpuniversity

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Life Pacific College