Pacific Islands University

What Pacific Islands University does

Pacific Islands University (PIU) is a private, non-profit Christian university founded in 1976 in Guam by Liebenzell Mission, a German missionary organization, in partnership with three Evangelical church fellowships planted in Western Micronesia. The institution is nationally accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) as a Category III institution, with Reaffirmation II Status granted on November 5, 2019 for a ten-year period, and is recognized by the US Department of Education for federal student aid administration. PIU offers Christ-centered higher education programs at the certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor's levels, including a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (120 credits), Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (120 credits), Associate and Diploma programs in Biblical Studies, and a Certificate in Basic English, delivered through on-campus instruction at the 172 Kinney's Road campus in Mangilao, Guam and through a Distance Education (DE) program using the PopuliWeb Learning Management System.

The business model is tuition-led with significant offsetting from federal student aid. Undergraduate tuition is priced at $273 per credit hour (~$3,276 per semester for 12 credits), supplemented by student services fees ($125/semester), technology fees, and dormitory housing ($1,200/semester). Revenue streams include tuition and fees (subscription/recurring), room and board for on-campus students, federal Pell Grant pass-through and Direct Loan administration (FAFSA school code 034383), and donations through the Rising Tide Fund and Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via website application, personal enrollment advisor support, rolling admissions with three start dates per year (August, January, May), and community referrals through churches and missionary networks. The student base is diversified across traditional undergraduates, adult learners and transfer students, international F-1 students, veterans utilizing GI Bill benefits, and church/ministry workers. PIU relies on its geographic presence in the Pacific region and TRACS-recognized accreditation as its primary competitive advantages; it has no disclosed venture or private equity backing.

Name

Pacific Islands University

Legal name

Pacific Islands University

Website

https://piu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Islands University is a private, non-profit Christian university in Guam that delivers TRACS-accredited certificate, associate, and bachelor's degree programs in Biblical and Liberal Studies through on-campus instruction and Distance Education, serving students across Micronesia and the broader Pacific region.

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

Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical studies degree
• Liberal arts education
• Distance education programs
• Theological education

Headquarters

HQ city

Hagåtña

HQ country

Guam

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from undergraduate tuition at $273 per credit hour. Additional fees include student services ($125/semester), technology fees, and application fees. Students typically take 12 credits per semester at $3,276.
2. Room and Board: On-campus dormitory housing generates $1,200 per semester. Revenue from full-time students prioritized for dorm occupancy.
3. Federal Student Aid Administration: PIU serves as pass-through for federal financial aid including Pell Grants and Direct Loans. Students receive aid packages that cover tuition costs, enabling access to higher education.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Donations through Rising Tide Fund (unrestricted), Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund (campus improvements), and other designated funds support operations and student financial support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pacific Islands University delivers accredited, Christ-centered higher education through certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor degree programs in Biblical Studies and Liberal Studies. Programs are offered both on-campus at its Mangilao, Guam campus and online through a distance education platform, with federal financial aid eligibility and Pell Grant coverage for qualifying students. The curriculum integrates a biblical worldview with field education and ministry practicum components to prepare students for Christian leadership, ministry, and community service.

Product overview

Pacific Islands University offers a Christ-centered higher education with degree programs at certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor levels. The academic portfolio includes Biblical Studies programs (Certificate, Diploma, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts) and Liberal Studies programs (Certificate in Basic English, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts). Programs are designed to prepare students with a biblical worldview for leadership and service. PIU offers both on-campus and distance education options, with Pell Grant and federal student loan eligibility for qualifying students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies A 120-credit hour undergraduate degree program providing a Bachelor of Arts curriculum in Biblical Studies with a minor in Liberal Studies, including six hours of Field Education and practicum requirements. Designed for students preparing for Christian ministry, church leadership, and mission work.
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies A 120-credit hour degree program designed for students seeking a broad, multi-disciplinary Christ-centered BA that prepares graduates for leadership and teaching roles in their communities.
• Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies A 60-credit hour degree program designed for Christian professionals, students planning future non-theological degrees, and those wishing to study Christian faith fundamentals along with General Education courses.
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies A 60-credit hour degree program for students seeking generalized education while fulfilling basic educational requirements, allowing exploration of educational and career opportunities.
• Diploma in Biblical Studies A 72-credit hour program providing students with a firm Bible background along with English and Field Education courses, with credits transferable to the Bachelor of Arts program.
• Certificate in Biblical Studies A 48-credit program providing a solid foundation in Bible and Theology, appropriate for students desiring a short intensive Bible program or for church ministry workers.
• Certificate in Basic English An accredited two-semester program (24 credit hours) designed for low-intermediate to advanced level speakers of other languages, offering an immersion experience in grammar, conversation, listening, reading, and writing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pell Grant recipients may have full tuition covered with expected net cost as low as $0-$11.50 per semester
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)coreOthers · 5 November 2019TRACS is the primary national accreditation body for Pacific Islands University. PIU was awarded Reaffirmation II Status as a Category III institution, valid for ten years. TRACS recognition by the US Department of Education enables PIU students to access federal financial aid including Pell Grants. Located at 15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551.
• Veterans Administration (VA)coreOthersPIU degree programs are approved for Veterans Administration education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill. VA education benefits administered by US Department of Veterans Affairs for qualified veterans and their dependents.
• Isles of the SeaminorOthersBible translation organization working in the Pacific that provides scholarship funding for students enrolled in Bible translation courses, especially those declaring a Bible translation minor at PIU.
• US Department of EducationcoreOthersPIU is approved to offer federal student aid including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, and Direct Loans. Federal School Code: 034383.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Master's University: Accredited Christ-centered institution with strong biblical/theological undergraduate programs and a comparable small-to-mid scale footprint. Competes for the same faith-driven student demographic.
• Simpson University: Private Christian university in California offering biblical studies and liberal arts degrees with a similar small-scale, mission-driven profile. Comparable Pell-eligible affordability positioning.
• Moody Bible Institute: Faith-based institution focused on biblical/theological education with undergraduate and graduate programs, similar in mission and theological focus to PIU. Both compete for Christ-centered higher-education students and share an accreditation-and-affordability positioning.
• William Jessup University: Small, faith-based accredited university offering Christian-centered undergraduate and graduate programs with similar theological emphasis. Closely comparable in size, mission, and Pell-eligible student base.

Broad incumbents

• Point Loma Nazarene University: Denominational (Nazarene) Christian university with broader program portfolio. Comparable as a faith-based accredited peer with a liberal arts core, though significantly larger in scale and scope.
• Oral Roberts University: Charismatic/Pentecostal-affiliated accredited Christian university with theological and liberal arts programs. Comparable as a faith-rooted accredited peer with a similar spiritual-formation positioning.
• Biola University: Larger accredited Christian university in California offering bachelor's and graduate theological degrees plus a broader liberal arts/professional portfolio. Comparable as a Christ-centered accredited peer, but with significantly greater scale and program breadth than PIU.
• Liberty University: Largest accredited Christian university with extensive online degree programs, including theological tracks. Serves the same mission-driven student base as PIU but with massive scale, program breadth, and Pell-eligible online offerings.

Emerging players

• Dallas Theological Seminary: Theological graduate school with online undergraduate and graduate theological tracks. Comparable theological curriculum focus but skews more graduate-level than PIU's undergraduate emphasis.

Regional players

• Hawai'i Pacific University: Pacific-region accredited private university based in Honolulu. Comparable as a Pacific-Islands-focused accredited private institution serving similar geographic student populations, though secular and broader in mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjJgLV5RdLtFdKlpzCgF2yQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PacificIslandsUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/piuguam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-islands-university

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Pacific Islands University