Highlands College

What Highlands College does

Highlands College is a private nonprofit biblical higher education institution founded in 2011 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. It operates as a ministry-focused undergraduate college and adult-learner training organization, branded as "America's Ministry Leadership University." Its core offering is a four-year undergraduate ministry leadership degree built on a four-pillar model: Academic Instruction, Ministry Training, Character Formation, and Spiritual Development. Academic delivery is organized through a portfolio of schools including the School of Ministry, School of Worship, School of Media, and the forthcoming Dunn School of Business (launching Fall 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership). The institution also runs the Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI), a separate sub-brand delivering certificate programs in Biblical Studies & Theological Studies, Christian Leadership, and Ministry Training to adult learners across multiple U.S. campuses.

The underlying technology stack is conventional higher-education infrastructure: Blackboard LMS for coursework, Microsoft 365 with MFA authentication via Microsoft Authenticator for identity, CampusNexus as the proprietary student portal, Authorize.net for payment processing, HC Engage (Campus Labs) for student engagement, and Managed Missions for cross-cultural mission trip administration. No proprietary AI/ML systems, mobile applications, or developer-facing APIs are disclosed. Auxiliary services include the Center for Ministry Placement, which connects graduates to churches and ministries, plus a Student Success Department offering tutoring, financial coaching, and residential life support.

The business model is a hybrid of tuition-and-fees revenue and donor-funded giving. Undergraduate students pay tuition for degree-seeking enrollment, with Endowed Student Scholarships providing full-tuition coverage for qualifying students across all four years. A parallel donor-based revenue stream runs through the Overflow donation platform, funding scholarships and operations. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and church-centered: recruitment flows through partnerships with Church of the Highlands (the founding and parent church) and the Association of Related Churches (ARC), complemented by Discovery Day campus visits, an annual Highlands College Leadership Conference (nearly 1,350 attendees from 250+ businesses across 21 states), and direct admissions via the website. To date, 1,400+ graduates have been placed in 375 churches and ministries across 36 states, 23 countries, and 1 U.S. territory.

Name

Highlands College

Legal name

Highlands College

Website

https://highlandscollege.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Highlands College is a private nonprofit biblical higher education institution in Birmingham, Alabama, founded in 2011, offering four-year undergraduate ministry leadership degrees and adult certificate programs through its Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI), serving church-led students and placing graduates into churches and ministries nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biblical Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Biblical higher education
• Ministry leadership training
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Professional certificate programs
• Religious education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Traditional undergraduate and HCLI certificate programs charged tuition for degree-seeking students. Financial support available through scholarships and grants.
2. Donations and Giving: Donor-funded scholarships and operational support through Overflow donation platform. Endowed student scholarships provide full-tuition coverage for qualifying students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Highlands College is a biblical higher education institution offering a four-year undergraduate ministry leadership degree program built on four pillars: Academic Instruction, Ministry Training, Character Formation, and Spiritual Development. It also offers adult certificate programs through the Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI) in Biblical & Theological Studies, Christian Leadership, and Ministry Training, with a new Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership launching Fall 2026 under the Dunn School of Business.

Product overview

Highlands College is America's Ministry Leadership University offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs built on four pillars: Academic Instruction, Ministry Training, Character Formation, and Spiritual Development. The undergraduate program provides four-year ministry leadership degrees through its academic schools (Dunn School of Business, School of Media, School of Ministry, School of Worship). The Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI) serves as a separate sub-brand offering adult certificate programs in Biblical Studies & Theological Studies, Christian Leadership, and Ministry Training. The college provides auxiliary services including the Center for Ministry Placement, Student Success Department, Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips, and event programs like Discovery Day and the annual Leadership Conference. A new Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership degree and associated Dunn School of Business will launch in Fall 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dunn School of Business: Academic school for Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership and Business Leadership Minor
• School of Media
• School of Ministry
• School of Worship
• In-Residence Program
• Center for Ministry Placement
• Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI)

Products and services

• Undergraduate Ministry Leadership Degree Program Four-year immersive undergraduate ministry leadership degree program for college-age students, built on four pillars (Academic Instruction, Ministry Training, Character Formation, Spiritual Development) and offered across academic schools (Dunn School of Business, School of Media, School of Ministry, School of Worship).
• Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership A four-year degree launching Fall 2026 that integrates biblical worldview, organizational leadership, financial stewardship, strategic communication, ethics, entrepreneurship, and practical leadership experience for business students.
• Dunn School of Business The first named academic school at Highlands College, housing the Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership degree and Business Leadership Minor, equipping business students with biblical wisdom and practical excellence for leadership in ministry.
• School of Ministry Academic school providing ministry-focused education and training within the four-pillar model of Academic Instruction, Ministry Training, Character Formation, and Spiritual Development.
• School of Worship Academic school providing worship ministry education and training within the comprehensive ministry leadership curriculum.
• School of Media Academic school focused on media ministry training within the comprehensive ministry education model at Highlands College.
• In-Residence Program Program that brings nationally recognized leaders to campus to invest directly in Highlands College students through teaching, mentoring, and meaningful conversation.
• Highlands College Leadership Institute (HCLI) Leadership program designed for adults offering certificates in Biblical Studies & Theological Studies, Christian Leadership, and Ministry Training across multiple U.S. campus locations.
• Biblical Studies & Theological Studies Certificate Certificate program offered through HCLI for adults seeking to learn and grow in biblical and theological foundations.
• Christian Leadership Certificate Certificate program offered through HCLI for adults seeking leadership development grounded in Christian principles.
• Ministry Training Certificate Certificate program offered through HCLI for adults seeking to be equipped for ministry service.
• Center for Ministry Placement Career services department that equips students and mobilizes graduates into impactful ministries worldwide, providing professional development, strategic connections, and ongoing support to ensure graduates are fully prepared, placed, and thriving.
• Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips Short-term international mission trips for current students providing life-changing experiences in cross-cultural ministry, partnering with local churches and strategic ministry organizations.
• Campus Housing (The Village at Highlands College) On-campus student housing expansion project, with Phase I completed, providing residential life options for undergraduate students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,400 graduates placed in 375 churches across 36 states, 23 countries, and 1 U.S. territory

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Church of the HighlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch of the Highlands is the parent and founding church of Highlands College. Students receive hands-on ministry training through Church of the Highlands ministries. Chancellor Chris Hodges leads both the church and college. The partnership provides real-world ministry experience and placement pathways.
• Association of Related Churches (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARC is a church planting network that partners with HC for student recruitment and ministry placement. Multiple alumni were connected to churches through ARC Conference. ARC church plants provide placement opportunities for graduates.
• Birmingham Cross-Cultural Community Center (BCCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based nonprofit partner of Church of the Highlands providing services to refugees in Birmingham area. HC partners with BCCC for cross-cultural ministry experiences and Serve Day activities.
• GrowLeadercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowLeader is a church leadership network that hosts annual conference in Birmingham. HC students and alumni participate in GrowLeader Conference. Alumni are connected to churches through GrowLeader relationships.
• IllumiNationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible translation organization partnering with MOTION Student Conference. Students contributed $158,147.23 toward translating the Bible into different languages through this partnership.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Biola University: Private evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, CA with a Talbot School of Theology and robust undergraduate ministry programs. Comparable to Highlands College as a faith-based residential institution focused on integrating biblical worldview with academic and vocational training.
• Regent University: Christian university in Virginia Beach, VA offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong emphasis on leadership, ministry, and theological training. Directly comparable in mission and target student to Highlands College, particularly around church-leadership and ministry-track degrees.
• Wheaton College: Highly selective evangelical Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, IL with strong ministry-preparation and graduate-school placement outcomes. Comparable to Highlands College in evangelical identity, residential undergraduate model, and ministry-leader formation, though with a stronger liberal-arts curriculum.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-based biblical higher education institution focused on Bible-centered ministry training with undergraduate, graduate, and distance programs. Directly comparable to Highlands College in its biblical/theological core and ministry-vocation mission, though older and with a broader denominational heritage.
• Anderson University (Indiana): Private Christian university affiliated with the Church of God, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong ministry/School of Theology. Comparable to Highlands College in evangelical residential model and church-connected leadership training.
• Oral Roberts University: Faith-based university in Tulsa, OK offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong ministry/charismatic leadership identity. Directly comparable to Highlands College as a Christian university centered on training ministry leaders, with similar emphasis on spiritual formation and church-connected career outcomes.
• Dallas Baptist University: Private Christian university in Dallas, TX with undergraduate ministry, worship, and church leadership programs alongside a College of Business. Comparable to Highlands College in evangelical identity, ministry leadership focus, and the recent expansion into business education.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Fort Worth-based Baptist seminary offering graduate-level ministry and theological degrees, including a PhD and DMin. Comparable to Highlands College as a faith-based institution training church leaders, though at graduate rather than undergraduate level and denominational in focus.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: One of the largest evangelical Christian universities in the US, offering extensive online and residential programs including ministry degrees and a seminary. Comparable to Highlands College in mission (Christian higher education, church leadership training) but far larger in scale and broader in academic scope.

Emerging players

• Bryan College: Small Christian liberal arts college in Dayton, TN offering undergraduate programs with a Bible-and-ministry focus. Comparable to Highlands College in faith-based undergraduate ministry training, though smaller in scale and more academically oriented than HC's church-placement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/highlandscollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/highlandscollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Highlands College