Holmes Bible College

What Holmes Bible College does

Holmes Bible College is a private Christian higher education institution located at 4901 Old Buncombe Road in Greenville, South Carolina, founded in 1898 as the Altamont Missionary and Bible Institute and recognized as the oldest known continuously operating Pentecostal college in the world. The college offers degree programs including a 2-year Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry (63 credit hours), a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Bible and Theology or Christian Ministry (80 credit hours, with concentrations in Pastoral Studies, Church Education/Youth Ministry, or Missions), a 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology (Pre-Seminary, including biblical languages), and a Bachelor of Practical Theology through the BEAM program launching January 2026 for non-traditional adult learners. Educational delivery combines on-campus residential programs (two dormitories, cafeteria, student center, Holmes Memorial Church) with online and hybrid courses managed by a dedicated Director of Online Studies. The college requires at least 200 hours of supervised ministry internship for degree completion.

The institution operates a nonprofit model funded primarily through donations from alumni, friends, churches, and ministry partners, supplemented by student tuition. Students pay only approximately 19% of actual education costs through the Rev. N.J. Holmes Ministry Scholarship and other subsidies, with a $35 application fee, $5 official transcript fee, installment plans, and a work-study program offering tuition discounts in exchange for 10 hours of weekly service. The college serves four primary student segments: traditional residential undergraduates, non-traditional adult learners (BEAM), international students (with TOEFL and financial sponsorship requirements), and veteran students (with Title 38 benefits accommodation). Leadership is led by President Kevin D. Sneed (M.A., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) and VP of Academic Affairs Ken L. Young. Marketing is conducted through the college website, Constant Contact email newsletter, public events, and free introductory Bible classes, with no third-party distribution channels.

Name

Holmes Bible College

Legal name

Holmes Bible College

Website

https://holmes.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Holmes Bible College, founded in 1898 in Greenville, SC, is a private Pentecostal college offering associate and bachelor degrees in Bible, theology, and ministry, plus a 2026 BEAM program for non-traditional adult learners, with below-cost tuition subsidized by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Higher Education

NAICS

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

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF)

Keywords

• Christian higher education
• Biblical studies degrees
• Ministerial training programs
• Theological education
• Pentecostal college

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay approximately 19% of actual education costs. Revenue generated from tuition fees, application fees ($35), and various course fees including auditing fees. The college also offers installment payment plans with $25 service charges.
2. Donations and Gifts: Substantial portion of operational funding comes from alumni, friends, churches, and ministry partners. Students receive the 'Rev. N.J. Holmes Ministry Scholarship' which helps keep tuition costs attractive.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Holmes Bible College is a private Pentecostal Bible college founded in 1898 in Greenville, South Carolina, offering Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Arts degree programs in Christian Ministry, Bible and Theology, and Pre-Seminary studies. It supplements these degrees with online courses, a work-study tuition aid program, and the BEAM non-traditional degree program delivered in-person, online, and hybrid formats. Students pay approximately 19% of actual education costs through alumni gifts and scholarships.

Product overview

Holmes Bible College offers a single unified educational platform centered on Bible-based higher education and ministerial training. The institution provides multiple degree pathways including a 2-year Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry, 4-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Bible and Theology or Christian Ministry (with concentrations in Pastoral Studies, Youth Ministry, or Missions), and a 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology (Pre-Seminary). The portfolio includes the BEAM Program for non-traditional adult learners, free introductory Bible courses, and online/distance learning options. Financial support is provided through a work-study program and various scholarship opportunities. The college integrates practical ministry training with academic instruction, requiring internships and providing theological education from a Pentecostal perspective.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BEAM Program (Biblical Education for Adults in Ministry) A non-traditional degree program designed for bi-vocational students and ministers to complete a Bachelor of Practical Theology (Th.B.) degree, with classes offered in in-person, online, and hybrid formats.
• Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry A two-year associate degree requiring 63 credit hours, covering general studies, pastoral foundation studies, Bible courses, and theology, for students seeking entry-level ministry preparation.
• Bachelor of Science in Bible and Theology / Christian Ministry A four-year bachelor's degree requiring 80 credit hours with concentrations in Pastoral Studies, Church Education/Youth Ministry, or Missions.
• Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology (Pre-Seminary) A four-year bachelor's degree with a pre-seminary focus, including biblical languages (Greek), theology, and practical ministry with internship requirements.
• Free Survey of the Bible Class A free introductory Bible course that allows prospective students to experience the college's educational approach before formal enrollment.
• Online Courses Distance-learning courses available for students who cannot attend on-campus classes, enabling flexible Bible college education delivery.
• Work-Study Program A financial aid program where students perform 10 hours of weekly campus service in exchange for tuition fee discounts.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Regent University: A larger Christian university in Virginia Beach with a strong College of Theology and online seminary programs. Overlapping audience but with significantly broader online and graduate offerings.
• Liberty University: The largest private Christian university in the US with strong online Bible/theology programs. Competes with Holmes for the same ministerial candidates, especially in online and veteran student segments.
• Bob Jones University: A large private Christian university in Greenville, SC with broad theological/theology programs. Geographically adjacent and mission-aligned but significantly larger and more comprehensive.
• Oral Roberts University: A larger Pentecostal university in Tulsa, Oklahoma offering theology and ministry degrees. Comparable in theological tradition but much larger scale and broader academic portfolio.

Direct peers

• Lee University: A private Pentecostal-affiliated university in Cleveland, Tennessee (Church of God) offering Bible/theology degrees. Directly comparable denomination, similar residential education model, and overlapping ministerial training focus.
• Columbia International University: A private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina with Bible/theology and ministerial programs. Comparable geographic Southeast US base and evangelical/Pentecostal-friendly curriculum.
• Moody Bible Institute: A historic evangelical Bible college and theological seminary in Chicago. Directly comparable mission, Bible-focused curriculum, and traditional undergraduate ministry training.
• Southeastern University: A private Christian university affiliated with the Assemblies of God (Pentecostal) in Lakeland, Florida. Closely comparable denomination, residential model, and ministerial degree programs.
• Toccoa Falls College: A private Christian college in Toccoa Falls, Georgia offering Bible, theology, and ministry degrees. Comparable size, mission, and Christian higher education positioning.

Emerging players

• Central Bible College (formerly CBC, now merged into Evangel University): A Pentecostal-affiliated institution in Springfield, Missouri (Assemblies of God). Comparable Pentecostal theological tradition and ministerial training focus following the CBC merger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HolmesBibleCollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Holmes Bible College