CCU Online Review: Colorado Christian University Programs (2026)

March 27, 2026

Colorado Christian University (CCU) is a private, nonprofit, faith-based university located in Lakewood, Colorado, founded in 1914 as Denver Bible Institute by Baptist minister Clifton LeFevre Fowler. After several name changes and a 1985 merger with Western Bible Institute, the university adopted its current name and earned university status in 1989. Today CCU operates two distinct academic divisions: the College of Undergraduate Studies for traditional residential students at the Lakewood campus, and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies for working adults completing degrees online. The online division, marketed as CCU Online, currently enrolls more than 6,500 adult learners and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

CCU’s positioning in the online education market is specific and worth understanding clearly. The university is not the cheapest option (Rio Salado College, University of the People, and Western Governors University all offer lower per-credit rates) and not the largest faith-based online provider (Liberty University and Grand Canyon University each enroll more than ten times CCU’s online population). What CCU offers instead is a Christ-centered curriculum with explicit Biblical worldview integration across every subject, smaller class sizes than the largest faith-based competitors, generous transfer credit policies that accommodate adult learners with prior credits, a substantial military discount that brings online undergraduate tuition to approximately $250 per credit hour, and a notable specialization in counseling and clinical mental health programs at the graduate and doctoral level.

This review covers CCU Online’s accreditation status, program catalog, tuition structure, transfer credit and prior learning policies, military and veteran benefits, financial aid options, the realistic strengths and limitations of the academic experience, and which adult learner profiles benefit most from enrolling at CCU versus alternative online universities. For the broader framework on earning an accredited online degree as an adult learner, see: The Complete Guide to Earning an Accredited Online Degree as an Adult Learner.

Accreditation and Institutional Standing

Colorado Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the seven regional accreditors recognized by the US Department of Education. HLC accreditation is institutional accreditation rather than programmatic accreditation, meaning it covers CCU as a whole rather than specific degree programs. Regional accreditation is the strongest form of institutional accreditation in the United States and is required for most federal financial aid eligibility, transfer credit acceptance at other regionally accredited institutions, and recognition by employers. To verify CCU’s HLC accreditation status, see the HLC institution database at: hlcommission.org.

Within CCU’s program catalog, certain degrees hold programmatic accreditation in addition to institutional HLC accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program holds Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation, which is the standard programmatic accreditation for baccalaureate nursing programs. Counseling programs at CCU are designed to meet state licensure requirements and aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards, though specific CACREP accreditation status varies by program and should be verified directly with the university for current details.

CCU has been ranked in the top two percent nationwide by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for nearly a decade, an organization that evaluates universities on the rigor of their general education curricula. The university has also received recognition from US News & World Report, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the National Council on Teacher Quality (which graded the Elementary Education program A+), and Niche.com. These external recognitions are relevant for adult learners who want documented signals of institutional quality beyond marketing materials.

Online Program Catalog

CCU Online offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, with programs distributed across business, education, counseling and psychology, nursing and healthcare, criminal justice, biblical studies, theology and ministry, information technology and cybersecurity, and liberal arts. The catalog depth is substantial for a university of CCU’s size and exceeds what most regional faith-based universities offer.

Bachelor’s degree programs

The bachelor’s program catalog includes Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN completion), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (multiple emphases including Accounting, Management, Marketing, and Project Management), Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with optional Reading Emphasis.

Master’s degree programs

Graduate programs cover Master of Business Administration (MBA) with multiple concentrations, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Cyber Security, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Human Resource Management, Master of Science in Psychology, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in School Counseling, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Executive Leadership in Christian Ministry, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in Special Education, Master of Education in TESOL, and Master of Arts dual-degree options including Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling.

Doctoral programs

CCU offers a smaller selection of doctoral programs that are notable for the university’s size. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) serves nurses pursuing advanced practice and leadership roles. The Doctor of Education (EdD) supports working education professionals. The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision is a particularly distinctive program because it positions counseling graduates for academic, clinical supervisory, and counselor educator roles, and is one of the few faith-based PhD options in this specialization.

Notable program features

Several CCU online programs include features that distinguish them from generic online degree offerings. The RN to BSN program accepts up to 87 transfer credits for registered nurses, which means licensed nurses can complete the bachelor’s degree in approximately one year of five-week course blocks while maintaining clinical employment. The Cyber Security MS includes optional Cyber Policy or Cyber Defense specializations and is designed for CISSP certification preparation, completing in 15 months. The Elementary Education BA includes 850 hours of internships through partnerships with school districts including Jeffco Public Schools.

Tuition and Cost Structure

CCU’s online tuition is positioned in the mid-tier of the online faith-based university market: more expensive than the lowest-cost options but less expensive than the most aggressive marketing-driven competitors. The tuition structure for the online College of Adult and Graduate Studies differs substantially from the on-campus traditional undergraduate program.

Online undergraduate tuition

Program Category	Standard Per-Credit Rate	Military Discount Rate	In-State Same as Out-of-State
Online associate and bachelor’s degrees	Approximately $469	Approximately $250	Yes
Online graduate programs (most)	Approximately $569 to $590	Discounts available	Yes
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)	Approximately $595	Discounts available	Yes
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education MEd	Approximately $533	Discounts available	Yes

CCU’s tuition is the same for in-state Colorado residents and out-of-state students, which is a meaningful advantage for online learners outside Colorado who would otherwise pay out-of-state premiums at public universities. Tuition rates are subject to annual change, and the figures above reflect rates effective for Summer 2025 through Spring 2026 semesters. Adult and graduate students should confirm current rates directly with CCU Student Financial Services before enrolling.

Tuition guarantee for undergraduates

CCU offers a tuition guarantee for undergraduate students in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies: the per-credit rate is locked in for up to six years with continued progress toward a degree. This protects students from mid-program tuition increases and is particularly valuable for adult learners completing degrees over multiple years while working. Few competitors at CCU’s price tier offer comparable rate-locking.

Resource fee and course materials

CCU charges a resource fee per credit hour that covers most technology resources, textbooks, and course materials for students in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Most textbooks are delivered as digital ebooks accessible through the Brightspace learning management system, and physical books are mailed when ebooks are not available. This embedded materials model is convenient for online students but means students cannot opt out of the materials fee even if they prefer to source physical textbooks elsewhere. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members and their dependents enrolled in undergraduate programs are exempt from the technology portion of the resource fee.

Military and Veteran Benefits

CCU has been recognized as a military-friendly institution by GI Jobs annually since 2012, and the university’s military and veteran benefits are among the strongest available at faith-based online universities. For service members, veterans, and military family members, CCU’s military discount and Yellow Ribbon participation can substantially reduce or entirely eliminate out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Military discount

Active Duty service members, Reserve members, National Guard members, and their dependents pay a discounted online undergraduate tuition rate of approximately $250 per credit hour, compared to the standard $469 per credit. This is nearly a 50 percent discount and brings CCU’s online undergraduate cost in line with substantially less expensive competitors. The military discount applies to undergraduate programs in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon participation

CCU is GI Bill approved and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows institutions to contribute funds (matched dollar-for-dollar by the VA) toward tuition and fees that exceed the maximum GI Bill annual benefit. For eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients, Yellow Ribbon participation can result in 100 percent tuition coverage with zero out-of-pocket costs. Specific Yellow Ribbon coverage levels and eligibility requirements should be confirmed with CCU’s Veterans Services office before enrollment. For authoritative VA guidance on GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs, see: va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11.

Tuition Assistance acceptance

CCU is approved for military Tuition Assistance (TA) through all branches of service. Active Duty service members can use TA to cover up to $250 per credit hour ($4,500 per fiscal year ceiling for most branches), which combined with CCU’s discounted military rate often produces zero out-of-pocket cost for active duty undergraduate education. Service members should coordinate TA usage with their education services officer (ESO) before enrolling at CCU.

Military credit acceptance

CCU accepts undergraduate credits earned through military training and education programs registered with the American Council on Education (ACE). This includes credits from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), the Joint Services Transcript (formerly AARTS for Army, SMARTS for Sailor/Marine), and other ACE-registered training programs. Military credit transcript review and posting are provided at no cost. For service members with substantial military education and training history, CCU’s military credit acceptance can significantly reduce time and cost to degree completion.

Transfer Credit and Prior Learning

CCU’s transfer credit policy is genuinely generous and is designed specifically for the adult learner population that the College of Adult and Graduate Studies serves. Adult learners with prior college credits, military training, professional certifications, or substantial work experience can often transfer in a meaningful percentage of degree requirements, reducing both time and cost to completion.

Standard transfer credit acceptance

CCU accepts transfer credits on a per-credit basis from any regionally or nationally accredited institution. The minimum acceptable grade for transferred coursework is C-minus or higher. Transfer credit limits vary by specific degree program: some programs accept up to 87 credits toward a 120-credit bachelor’s degree, which means students with substantial prior college credits can complete a CCU bachelor’s degree in as little as one year of focused study.

CCCU member transfer agreements

CCU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), and undergraduate credits from other CCCU member institutions are accepted directly. The CCCU includes more than 180 member institutions globally, which means students who began their studies at another faith-based university (Liberty, Grand Canyon, Indiana Wesleyan, Bethel, Cedarville, Wheaton, and many others) can transfer credits to CCU smoothly.

StraighterLine partnership

CCU is a StraighterLine partner school. StraighterLine offers self-paced, low-cost online courses (substantially less than traditional college tuition) that are pre-approved for transfer to CCU. For adult learners who need to complete general education prerequisites efficiently, StraighterLine can provide gen ed credits at a fraction of CCU’s per-credit rate. Students complete StraighterLine courses, request transcripts, and CCU applies the credits toward the degree program. For background on credit transfer strategies generally, see: Best Online Universities With Generous Transfer Credit Policies.

CLEP and DSST exam credit

CCU awards credit for College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) exams. Both are standardized tests that allow students to demonstrate college-level knowledge in specific subjects and earn credit without taking the corresponding course. For adult learners with substantial general knowledge in specific areas, CLEP and DSST credit can accelerate degree completion at minimal cost (each exam costs approximately $90 to $100). CCU’s specific CLEP and DSST credit award policies and minimum scores should be verified with the CCU Registrar before testing.

Prior learning assessment

CCU offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) opportunities for adult learners to earn credit for college-level learning gained through work experience, professional training, certifications, or other non-collegiate sources. PLA typically involves portfolio submission demonstrating learning outcomes equivalent to specific college courses. PLA credit is reviewed by faculty and awarded on a course-by-course basis, with limits varying by degree program.

The Academic Experience

CCU Online’s academic structure is designed for adult learners managing work, family, and education commitments simultaneously. The course pacing, faculty interaction model, and Christ-centered curriculum integration are distinctive features that prospective students should understand before enrolling.

Five-week course blocks

CCU Online courses are delivered in five-week blocks rather than traditional 15-week or 16-week semesters. The accelerated pacing allows students to focus on one course at a time and complete more credits per calendar year, but it also requires sustained effort during the active block: a five-week course covers the same material as a traditional semester course, compressed into one-third the time. Students typically take one or two courses per block, with multiple blocks running per year through year-round enrollment.

This format is the same accelerated structure used by Liberty University, Grand Canyon University, and other large faith-based online universities. It is well-suited for disciplined adult learners who can dedicate sustained time during each block, but it can be challenging for students managing unpredictable work schedules or family demands. Students who need more flexible pacing within a course often find traditional 8-week or 16-week formats easier to navigate.

Christ-centered curriculum integration

CCU explicitly integrates Christian faith and biblical worldview across every academic discipline. This is not a separate religion course requirement; it is a curriculum philosophy that affects how subjects are taught throughout the program. A business ethics course at CCU draws explicitly from Christian ethical frameworks. A psychology course addresses faith integration alongside psychological theory. A counseling program emphasizes Christian counseling principles in addition to general counseling theory and practice.

This integration is the university’s central differentiator and the primary reason students choose CCU over secular alternatives. For adult learners who want their faith to be part of their educational experience, this is meaningful and valued. For learners who prefer separation between faith and academic content, this is a significant consideration that may make CCU a poor fit. Prospective students should evaluate whether the explicit faith integration aligns with their preferences before enrolling.

Brightspace learning platform

CCU uses the Brightspace by D2L learning management system for online courses. Brightspace is one of the major LMS platforms used in higher education and supports asynchronous coursework, discussion forums, video lectures, assignment submission, and grade tracking. Students access course materials, including embedded digital textbooks, through Brightspace. The platform is mobile-accessible, which is important for working adults who may need to engage with coursework on smartphones or tablets during available time windows.

Student support

CCU emphasizes individual student support through enrollment counselors, academic advisors, and faculty access. Student reviews on Niche and similar platforms consistently mention the supportive faculty and staff as a strength, with frequent comments about responsive professors, helpful enrollment counselors, and a sense of community despite the online format. The smaller scale of CCU’s online program (6,500 adult students versus 100,000+ at the largest faith-based competitors) appears to support more personalized relationships with faculty and staff.

Financial Aid Beyond Military Benefits

Beyond military benefits, CCU participates in standard federal and state financial aid programs available to adult learners. Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the foundation for all federal aid eligibility.

Federal Pell Grant

CCU undergraduate students who qualify for Federal Pell Grant support can use Pell to offset CCU tuition. The maximum Pell Grant for the current award year is $7,395, which combined with CCU’s per-credit tuition can substantially reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for low-to-moderate income adult learners. Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. For authoritative Pell guidance, see: studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell. Adult learners should file the FAFSA annually using CCU’s school code (the code is available from CCU’s financial aid office).

Federal student loans

CCU participates in the Federal Direct Loan program, including Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans for undergraduates and Unsubsidized Direct Loans plus Graduate PLUS Loans for graduate students. Federal loans should be borrowed cautiously and only after exhausting grant aid, scholarships, and employer tuition benefits. Borrowing should be planned with realistic post-graduation salary expectations to ensure manageable repayment.

Institutional scholarships

CCU offers institutional scholarships for both traditional undergraduates and adult learners, though the scholarship landscape is more limited for adult learners than for traditional 18-22 year old residential students. Scholarships specifically for adult learners include programs based on academic merit, service involvement, ministry roles, and specific program participation. Adult learners should ask CCU enrollment counselors about scholarships during the application process, as not all opportunities are widely advertised.

Employer tuition benefits

CCU accepts employer tuition reimbursement and tuition assistance from any employer. For working adults whose employers offer tuition benefits (Walmart’s Live Better U, Amazon Career Choice, Target, Chipotle, Starbucks, Disney Aspire, and many other corporate programs), CCU enrollment is compatible with the employer benefit. CCU’s enrollment counselors can help coordinate tuition benefit usage with billing schedules. For broader context on using employer tuition benefits with online programs, see: Employer Tuition Reimbursement Explained.

Who Benefits Most From CCU Online

CCU’s positioning, pricing, and academic structure produce a clear pattern of which adult learners benefit most from enrolling and which would likely be better served by alternative programs.

Strong fit profiles

Adult learners who actively want Christian faith integration in their academic experience benefit most from CCU. The explicit biblical worldview integration is meaningful and well-developed, and students who value this dimension report strong satisfaction. Counseling and ministry students particularly benefit because CCU’s clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and counselor education programs are specifically designed to integrate Christian counseling principles with general counseling theory and practice.

Active duty service members, veterans, and military family members benefit substantially from the combination of military discount, GI Bill approval, Yellow Ribbon participation, and military credit acceptance. The total cost reduction for military-affiliated students at CCU often produces zero out-of-pocket cost when benefits stack appropriately. CCU’s military-friendly designation since 2012 reflects a sustained institutional commitment rather than recent marketing positioning.

Adult learners with substantial prior college credits or military training benefit from CCU’s generous transfer credit policy, the StraighterLine partnership for affordable gen ed completion, CLEP and DSST credit acceptance, and Prior Learning Assessment options. Students with 60+ existing credits can often complete a CCU bachelor’s degree in 1-2 years of focused part-time study. Registered nurses pursuing RN to BSN benefit from the 87-credit transfer ceiling, which positions the program as one of the fastest paths to BSN completion.

Less strong fit profiles

Adult learners who prefer secular education without explicit faith integration are likely better served by Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University Online, University of Maryland Global Campus, or Arizona State University Online. CCU’s curriculum design assumes faith integration is desired, and students who would prefer to bracket faith from academic content may find the integration constant rather than optional.

Cost-sensitive adult learners without military benefits should compare CCU’s $469 per credit online undergraduate rate against substantially lower-cost alternatives. Western Governors University at approximately $4,000 per six-month term (effectively $200 to $300 per credit at typical pacing), University of the People at near-zero tuition, Rio Salado College at approximately $97 per credit for in-state Arizona residents, and various community college transfer pathways may produce lower total degree costs for non-military students.

Students seeking specific licensure-track programs should verify program-specific accreditation status with CCU before enrolling. Counseling licensure varies by state and requires alignment between specific program accreditation and the licensure board’s requirements. Nursing programs require CCNE or ACEN accreditation for licensure in most states. Education licensure programs require state-specific approval. CCU’s institutional HLC accreditation is necessary but not sufficient for licensure-track programs; verify the specific program-level credentials.

Honest Limitations

Beyond fit considerations, several limitations of CCU Online deserve direct treatment for adult learners weighing the decision.

Tuition is not the cheapest option in the online faith-based market. Adult learners without military benefits will pay substantially more per credit at CCU than at Western Governors, University of the People, or community college transfer pathways. Cost matters, and CCU’s pricing requires either willingness to pay the premium or military benefit eligibility.
The five-week course block format is intense and not suitable for all adult learners. Students with unpredictable work schedules, family caregiving responsibilities, or chronic time constraints may struggle with the compressed pacing. Traditional 8-week or 16-week formats at competitor schools may be more sustainable for some learners.
Class scheduling and faculty responsiveness, while generally praised, is not perfect. Some student reviews mention occasional difficulty contacting professors and slow response times during peak periods. The supportive culture is real but not universally consistent.
Doctoral program selection is limited compared to large research universities. CCU offers DNP, EdD, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, but does not offer the broader doctoral catalog available at universities with larger graduate divisions.
Program-specific accreditation status varies. Some programs hold programmatic accreditation (CCNE for nursing) while others rely on institutional HLC accreditation alone. Licensure-track students must verify specific program credentials match their state’s licensure requirements.
The faith integration that defines CCU is also a limitation for students who would prefer to attend a Christ-centered institution but bracket the explicit integration from specific subjects. The integration is curriculum-wide, not optional, and students should expect biblical worldview content across all coursework.
CCU’s brand recognition is lower than the largest faith-based online universities (Liberty, Grand Canyon) and substantially lower than the largest secular online universities (SNHU, ASU, WGU). For students who value brand recognition with employers or in graduate school admissions, CCU may require more explanation than better-known alternatives.

Application and Enrollment Process

CCU’s application process for adult learners in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies is streamlined compared to traditional residential admissions, and is designed to enable enrollment within weeks rather than months.

Application requirements

Bachelor’s degree applicants need a high school diploma, homeschool diploma, or GED equivalent, plus official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. CCU does not require SAT or ACT scores for adult learners in the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Master’s program applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA (typically 2.0 to 2.49 for conditional admission, with higher GPAs for full admission). Doctoral programs require additional materials including statements of purpose and references.

Enrollment counselor support

Each prospective student is assigned a CCU enrollment counselor who guides the application process, transcript evaluation, transfer credit posting, financial aid coordination, and program selection. Enrollment counselors are typically responsive and provide substantial support during the pre-enrollment process. Students should use the enrollment counselor to confirm transfer credit estimates, financial aid eligibility, and realistic completion timelines before committing to enrollment.

Year-round start dates

CCU offers multiple start dates throughout the year through the five-week block format. Adult learners can typically enroll and begin coursework within four to six weeks of initial application, which is faster than most traditional university enrollment timelines. The flexible start dates accommodate working adults whose timelines may not align with traditional fall and spring semester start dates.

Final Assessment

Colorado Christian University Online is a genuine, regionally accredited, faith-based online university with a substantial program catalog, strong military benefits, generous transfer credit policies, and explicit Christian curriculum integration. For adult learners who want their faith to be part of their educational experience and who fit one of the strong-fit profiles described above, CCU is a legitimate and well-positioned choice.

CCU’s competitive position is specific. The university is not the largest, not the cheapest, and not the most aggressively marketed faith-based online provider. What CCU offers instead is a smaller-scale, more personally supportive academic environment with a curriculum philosophy that takes biblical worldview integration seriously across every subject, combined with practical features (military discounts, transfer-friendly policies, year-round enrollment, established accreditation) that serve working adult learners specifically. The 6,500+ enrolled online adult students represent a meaningful population of learners who have actively chosen this combination.

The honest comparison is against alternative online universities that adult learners typically consider. Against Liberty University and Grand Canyon University, CCU offers more personal scale and arguably stronger curriculum-faith integration but substantially smaller brand recognition. Against secular alternatives like Western Governors University, Southern New Hampshire University Online, and Arizona State University Online, CCU offers explicit faith integration but higher tuition and lower brand recognition. Against the lowest-cost online options like University of the People and Rio Salado College, CCU offers substantially more program selection and traditional academic structure but significantly higher cost without military benefits.

For adult learners considering CCU, the decision should rest on a clear answer to three questions: Is explicit Christian faith integration a positive or neutral feature of an educational experience for you? Do you have military benefits or substantial prior credits that make CCU’s effective cost competitive? And does your specific target program at CCU hold the programmatic accreditation needed for your career path? Affirmative answers to all three suggest CCU is a strong fit. Negative answers to one or more suggest looking at alternative programs in the broader online university market.

To explore CCU programs and other online options matched to your goals and benefit eligibility, start here: See Your Best-Fit Online Programs in 60 Seconds. For the complete framework on earning an accredited online degree as an adult learner, see: The Complete Guide to Earning an Accredited Online Degree as an Adult Learner.