Horizon University

What Horizon University does

Horizon University is a private, non-profit Christian university headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, operating under the oversight of Horizon Christian Fellowship. Founded in 1993 as Horizon Bible Institute in California, it was rebranded as Horizon University in 2013 upon receiving accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), which has been reaffirmed through 2028. The institution offers Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees along with certificate and diploma programs in Biblical Studies, Leadership & Ministry, Organizational Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Chaplaincy, and TESOL, serving working adults and ministry professionals seeking biblically integrated higher education.

The university operates on a hybrid delivery model combining on-campus instruction in Indianapolis with fully online programs delivered through the Populi learning management system. Undergraduate tuition is $265 per credit hour ($795 per 3-credit course) and graduate tuition is $400 per credit hour, with annual application, registration, and online access fees. The institution is authorized to enroll students in all 50 states for undergraduate programs and 49 states for online distance learning through M-SARA reciprocity. The supporting technology stack includes Populi for student information and course management, TWENEL for library access, and Libib for cataloging a print collection of approximately 7,500 items focused on Christian theology.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition (recurring per-credit billing) supplemented by tax-deductible donations under its 501(c)(3) status. The institution has 26 employees and reported retention rates of 100% for part-time bachelor's cohorts (Fall 2023) and graduate completion rates of 67-75%. Growth has been steady through product expansion (graduate programs in 2020) and geographic reach (M-SARA membership), but no funding rounds, acquisitions, or large-scale capital events are evident. The competitive position rests on ABHE accreditation, articulation agreements with Azusa Pacific, Bethel Seminary, and Southern California Bible College, and affiliation with Calvary Chapel Bible College through the CCBCHU diploma program.

Name

Horizon University

Legal name

Horizon University

Website

https://horizonuniversity.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Horizon University is a private, non-profit Christian university in Indianapolis offering accredited online and on-campus Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in Biblical Studies, ministry, counseling, and TESOL, targeting working adults and ministry professionals nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAKAM

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAG

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAKAF

Missionary Training Colleges & Schools

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Religious & Theological Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHALAK

Online Nonprofit Universities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Distance & Online Universities

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Theological degree programs
• Ministry education
• Online Bible college
• Biblical studies degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate degree programs at $265 per credit hour. Students typically complete 60-126 credits depending on degree level. Additional fees include $50 application fee, $50 term registration, and $50 online access fee per term.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs (MA, MDiv) generate revenue at $400 per credit hour plus a one-time $300 Logos subscription fee. MA programs require 40 credits; MDiv programs require 80 credits.
3. Certificate Programs: Standalone certificate programs available for non-degree seeking individuals or as part of degree programs. Tuition based on credit hour rate.
4. Course Auditing: Non-credit course auditing option at $120 per course plus $25 application fee and $50 online access fee per semester for personal enrichment.
5. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible contributions from donors supporting the university's educational mission. The university is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with federal tax ID 26-1901554.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Horizon University is a private nonprofit Christian university that delivers accredited Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs in Biblical Studies, Leadership and Ministry, Organizational Leadership, Biblical Counseling, TESOL, and Chaplaincy, alongside certificate programs and a Diploma in Biblical Studies. Courses are offered both on its Indianapolis campus and online through the My Horizon (Populi) portal. Revenue is generated primarily from per-credit tuition ($265 undergraduate, $400 graduate) and charitable donations to the 501(c)(3) institution.

Product overview

Horizon University is a Christ-centered educational institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs and certificate offerings. The university operates as a unified educational platform providing both undergraduate and graduate programs primarily delivered online. Core offerings include Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies, Leadership and Ministry, Organizational Leadership, Biblical Counseling, TESOL, and Chaplaincy (126 credits each); Master of Arts degrees in Biblical Studies and Leadership and Ministry (40 credits each); Master of Divinity degrees in Biblical Studies and Leadership and Ministry (80 credits); an Associate of Arts in Biblical Studies (60 credits); certificate programs in Chaplaincy, Biblical Counseling, and TESOL; and a Diploma in Biblical Studies (58 credits) through its CCBCHU on-campus program. Educational delivery occurs through online learning via the My Horizon portal and an on-campus experience, supported by the TWENEL online library system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCBCHU (Calvary Chapel Bible College of Horizon U): On-campus diploma program offering transformational experience in biblical studies without general studies requirements.

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (BABS)

Quantifiable outcome

• 67-75% of students complete degrees within 4-6 years of enrollment
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Southern California Bible College and SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007In 2007, Horizon University established an articulation relationship with Southern California Bible College and Seminary, expanding graduate school pathway options for graduates.
• Bethel Seminary San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005In 2005, Horizon University (then HCSD) established the same graduate acceptance relationship with Bethel Seminary in San Diego that it had with Azusa Pacific. This provides graduates with pathway options for continued theological education.
• Azusa Pacific University - Haggard Graduate School of TheologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2000In April 2000, Horizon University (then HBI) established an articulation relationship with Azusa Pacific University's Haggard Graduate School of Theology. Graduates of Horizon programs are accepted into their accredited graduate program. Several students have taken advantage of this relationship to obtain graduate degrees.
• Calvary Chapel Bible College (CCBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorizon University has a special relationship with Calvary Chapel Bible College. Students who have completed classes at CCBC can transfer credits into Horizon programs. CCBCHU (Calvary Chapel Bible College of Horizon U) operates as an on-campus diploma program at the Horizon Christian Fellowship campus.
• Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABHE is the institutional accreditor for Horizon University, granting degrees at Associate, Baccalaureate, and Graduate levels. ABHE is recognized by CHEA and U.S. Department of Education.
• Midwestern State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (M-SARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerM-SARA membership grants reciprocity for enrollment of students in Horizon University's online distance learning programs. Covers 49 states (excluding California) through National Council for SARA.
• Horizon Christian FellowshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorizon University operates under the oversight of Horizon Christian Fellowship, Indianapolis. The church provides campus facilities and spiritual leadership for the institution.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Piedmont International University: ABHE-accredited evangelical Christian university offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in biblical studies, ministry, and education. Comparable to Horizon in size, faith-based mission, and target student population.
• Calvary Chapel Bible College: Bible college within the Calvary Chapel network with which Horizon has a credit-transfer and on-campus diploma partnership (CCBCHU). Operates within the same theological ecosystem and feeds students into Horizon's degree programs, making it the closest network peer.
• Moody Bible Institute: Chicago-based Christian college and seminary accredited by ABHE and HLC, offering biblical, theological, and ministry degrees online and on campus. Highly comparable to Horizon as a faith-based institution targeting ministry-bound students with online and on-campus delivery.
• Bob Jones University: Private Christian liberal arts university offering online and residential programs in biblical studies, ministry, and related fields. Comparable to Horizon as a faith-based institution with strong online presence and similar theological orientation.
• The Master's University: Fundamentalist Christian university offering biblical studies, theology, and ministry degrees both online and on campus. Comparable to Horizon in faith-based positioning, ABHE accreditation, and a focus on preparing students for ministry vocations.
• Tennessee Temple University: Small Christian university historically focused on ministerial training with biblical and theological programs. Comparable to Horizon as a small, faith-based institution with a similar degree portfolio and student target.
• Maranatha Baptist University: ABHE-accredited Baptist institution offering biblical studies, missions, pastoral studies, and related programs. Closely comparable to Horizon in faith-based positioning, accreditation, and ministry-focused curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest private nonprofit online university in the U.S., with extensive online undergraduate and graduate programs in religion, biblical studies, and ministry. Comparable to Horizon in online Christian higher education, but at vastly larger scale and broader offerings.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Major evangelical seminary offering fully online MA, MDiv, and ThM programs at national scale. Comparable to Horizon's graduate theological offerings (especially MDiv), but at a much larger, more established scale with a stronger brand.
• Biola University: Larger Christian university (WASC / TRACS accredited) with a robust online program in biblical and theological studies. Comparable to Horizon in faith-based degree offerings and online delivery, but at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/horizon-university

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Horizon University