Elim Bible Institute and College

What Elim Bible Institute and College does

Elim Bible Institute and College (operating as Elim Bible College, DBA "EBC") is a private, nonprofit Christian higher education institution founded in 1924 by Ivan Q. Spencer in Lima, New York, approximately 20 minutes south of Rochester. It serves primarily traditional college-age students (18-24) seeking Christ-centered higher education and spiritual formation, plus secondary segments including transfer students, international learners, working adults completing certificates, and non-degree-seeking Christians pursuing spiritual enrichment. The institution operates on a single residential campus and globally through 100% online distance education.

The institution delivers three bachelor's degrees (Theology, Psychology, Business Management), two associate degrees (Biblical and Theological Studies, Business Administration), the multi-track Launch one-year certificate, and a portfolio of one-year certificates covering ministry specialties (Pastoral, Worship Leadership, Missions, Youth Ministry), business specialties (Business Administration, Accounting, Nonprofit Management, Marketing Strategies), Vocational Trades, and a non-degree Spiritual Enrichment Certificate. Curriculum is distinguished by more than twice the Bible-focused credit concentration of comparable Christian colleges, an average class size of 13 with a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and required hands-on ministry components including a 3-week NYSUM urban ministry internship in New York City. Technology is commodity: Populi college management system for admissions, student records, and library; Zoom for virtual instruction; BoxCast for livestreamed ceremonies; Cloudflare for security; and Flywire for international payments. The institution holds TRACS accreditation (reaffirmed Category II through January 1, 2033), an NYSED absolute charter, ECFA charter membership, Title IV federal student aid eligibility, GI Bill approval, NYS TAP/ETA authorization, and NC-SARA participation.

Revenue is generated primarily from tuition ($9,980/year residential plus $3,900 housing and $4,500 food, with 100% financial aid participation and an out-of-pocket cap of $13,900/year) and distance education fees ($333/credit for domestic, with up to 58% international discounts), supplemented by charitable donations and legacy planned giving channels. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through a three-person admissions team employing phone, email, and campus-visit outreach, with event-driven GTM via Discovery Days and Open House, plus a referral layer from 12 articulation partner institutions and the NYSUM ministry partnership. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward transfer-student capture from closing competitor institutions (Valley Forge, Alliance University), international distance education expansion, and target-segment pricing innovation (the Pastor's Kid Full-Tuition Scholarship launching Fall 2026).

Name

Elim Bible Institute and College

Legal name

Elim Bible College

Website

https://elim.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Founded 1924, Elim Bible Institute and College is a private nonprofit Christian college in Lima, New York. It offers accredited associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs in theology, ministry, business, and psychology to residential students and global distance learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Higher Education

NAICS

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

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical degree programs
• Theological certificate programs
• Ministry training education
• Distance bible learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima, ny

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition charges for on-campus and distance education programs. On-campus full-time tuition is $9,980/year, with additional fees for housing and food.
2. Housing and Food Services: On-campus residential students pay for housing ($3,900/year) and food ($4,500/year) as part of the total cost of attendance.
3. Donations and Charitable Giving: Accepts donations from alumni and supporters through the Give section of the website. Legacy giving and planned giving programs available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elim Bible Institute and College is a private nonprofit Christian institution of higher education that delivers biblical and ministry-focused degree and certificate programs. It offers residential instruction on its New York campus as well as distance-learning formats, awarding bachelor's, associate's, and certificate credentials rooted in biblical studies and Christian service. The institution traces its founding to 1924 and operates as an accredited faith-based college preparing students for ministry, missions, and lay Christian leadership.

Product overview

Elim Bible Institute and College offers a portfolio of higher education programs centered on Christian ministry and biblical studies. The institution provides three bachelor's degrees (Theology, Psychology, Business Management), two associate degrees (Biblical and Theological Studies, Business Administration), multiple one-year certificate programs (Ministry, Worship Leadership, Missions, Business Administration, Accounting, Nonprofit Management, Marketing Strategies, Vocational Trades, Spiritual Enrichment), and the Launch one-year certificate program with multiple tracks. Programs are delivered through traditional on-campus residential learning in Lima, NY and 100% online distance education formats. The institution also operates practical ministry programs including weekly student ministry placements, the NYSUM urban internship in NYC, and the Servant outreach ministry. International students can access reduced-tuition distance education programs without visa requirements. The offering functions as a unified Bible college with degree programs as the core academic products and certificate programs as specialized ministry and vocational training modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% graduation rate (150% of expected completion time)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner25+ year partnership providing Elim students with a 3-week intensive urban ministry internship in New York City. Students complete pre-trip training at Elim, then serve under NYSUM Ministry Director supervision in NYC ministry settings.
• Davis CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Davis College degree programs.
• Evangelical Theological SeminaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Evangelical Theological Seminary degree programs.
• Houghton UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Houghton University degree programs.
• Kingswood UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Kingswood University degree programs.
• Lancaster Bible CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Lancaster Bible College degree programs.
• Northeastern SeminaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Northeastern Seminary degree programs.
• Northpoint Bible College and Graduate SchoolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Northpoint Bible College degree programs.
• Ohio Christian UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Ohio Christian University degree programs.
• Regent UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Regent University degree programs.
• Roberts Wesleyan UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Roberts Wesleyan University degree programs.
• Southwestern Christian UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArticulation agreement partner - credits transfer to Southwestern Christian University degree programs.
• University of Valley ForgeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLongstanding partnership with articulation agreement. Currently offering 25% tuition discount and expedited transfer process for students from closing University of Valley Forge.
• PhilanthroCorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegacy giving partner helping Elim supporters with planned giving and estate planning for long-term charitable donations.
• Florida Step Up For StudentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized as Eligible Postsecondary Institution with Florida Step Up For Students, providing up to $8,000 for homeschool families to apply toward college credits at Elim.
• White Glove Moving & StorageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor offering $1,000 scholarship for academic expenses. Essay topic: 'The Most Challenging Move I Experienced and What It Taught Me.' Open to high school seniors and college students in NY or NJ.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/elim-bible-institute-and-college

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Elim Bible Institute and College