Apostolic Bible Colleges: The Complete 2026 List and Comparison
Quick answer: The main Apostolic Pentecostal Bible colleges in North America are Urshan University (Missouri), Christian Life College (California), Indiana Bible College (Indiana), Texas Bible College (Texas), Apostolic Bible Institute (Minnesota), Northeast Christian College (New Brunswick, Canada), North Texas Christian College, Florida Apostolic Bible Center, Genesis Institute (Alberta, Canada), W.L. Bonner College (South Carolina), and Aenon Bible College (Indianapolis). Only Urshan University and Christian Life College hold regional accreditation, which matters most for financial aid and transferring credits.
Choosing a Bible college is one of the biggest decisions a young Apostolic will make. It shapes your ministry, your friendships, your career, and for a lot of people, who they marry. But it's surprisingly hard to find all the options in one place.
So we put together the full list: every Apostolic Bible college we could confirm is open today, across the UPCI, PAW, COOLJC, and other fellowships, compared on the things students and parents actually ask about.
What to look for in an Apostolic Bible college
- Cost: Bible colleges are usually much cheaper than a state university, but prices vary a lot. Ask about scholarships, work-study, and church sponsorships.
- Accreditation: a regionally accredited school can offer federal financial aid (like Pell Grants and student loans), and its credits are much more likely to transfer to other colleges. If you might want a non-ministry career later, this matters.
- Degrees beyond ministry: some schools offer business, counseling, leadership, or human services degrees, or partner with a state college so you can earn both.
- Music and worship: several schools are known for their choirs, music programs, and worship teams.
- Online options: most schools now offer online or hybrid classes if you can't move.
- Campus life and standards: every school on this list teaches holiness, but dorm rules, curfews, and dress codes vary. Ask for the student handbook before you apply.
- Ministry opportunities: weekend ministry trips, campus church, outreach, and connections with pastors can open doors after you graduate.
Quick comparison
| School | Location | Fellowship | Regional accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urshan University | Wentzville, MO | UPCI | Yes (HLC) |
| Christian Life College | Stockton, CA | UPCI-endorsed | Yes (WSCUC) |
| Indiana Bible College | Indianapolis, IN | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| Texas Bible College | Lufkin, TX | UPCI (Texas District) | Ask school |
| Apostolic Bible Institute | Twin Cities, MN | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| Northeast Christian College | Fredericton, NB, Canada | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| North Texas Christian College | Euless, TX (plus online) | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| Florida Apostolic Bible Center | Seffner (Tampa), FL | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| Genesis Institute | Edmonton, AB, Canada | UPCI-endorsed | Ask school |
| W.L. Bonner College | Columbia, SC | COOLJC | Ask school |
| Aenon Bible College | Indianapolis, IN | PAW | Ask school |
| Apostolic Holiness Christian College | Campus and distance | AFFO | Ask school |
"Ask school" means we couldn't confirm regional accreditation from public sources. Some of these schools hold other accreditation, endorsements, or degree partnerships with accredited colleges, so ask each one directly.
The full list of Apostolic Bible colleges
Urshan University
Wentzville, Missouri · Owned and operated by the UPCI · Founded 1968
- Accreditation
- Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (since 2020)
- Degrees
- Associate and bachelor's degrees, including Christian Ministry, Organizational Leadership, and Human Services
- Cost
- About $8,756 a year in tuition and fees (2024–25 federal data)
- Online
- Yes, with 8- and 16-week online courses
- Good to know
- Formerly Gateway College of Evangelism, then Urshan College. Moved to a new campus in Wentzville in 2019. Shares a campus with Urshan Graduate School of Theology.
Official website · (314) 838-8858
Christian Life College
Stockton, California · UPCI-endorsed, independently owned
- Accreditation
- Regionally accredited by WSCUC (since 2019), the first UPCI-endorsed college to earn regional accreditation
- Degrees
- Bible and Theology, Business Administration, and General Ministry
- Online
- Yes, through CLC Distance Education
- Good to know
- Active student associations and a creative arts association, plus weekly chapel
Official website · (209) 476-7840 · Instagram @christianlifecollege
Indiana Bible College
Indianapolis, Indiana · UPCI-endorsed
- Programs
- Biblical Studies, Christian Leadership, Missiology, and Worship Studies (with a focus on musicianship and technology)
- Online
- Yes, plus a Spanish-language program (IBC en Español)
- Degree partnership
- Offers an IWU partnership program; ask IBC how it works for earning an accredited degree
- Good to know
- Well known for music and worship, and hosts an annual Music Fest. Strong campus life with chapel, prayer meetings, and student government.
Official website · (317) 554-8069 · Instagram @indianabible.college
Texas Bible College
Lufkin, Texas · Owned and operated by the Texas District UPCI
- Programs
- Theology, Missiology, Christian Counseling, and Music Ministry
- Online
- Yes, through TBC Online
- Degree partnership
- Has a connection with Angelina College; ask TBC about earning college credit alongside Bible college
- Good to know
- Lists its core values as "His Spirit, Diligence, Humility"
Official website · (936) 633-7799
Apostolic Bible Institute (ABI)
Twin Cities (St. Paul area), Minnesota · UPCI-endorsed · Founded 1937
- Programs
- Degree programs on campus, plus online certificates like the Church Revitalization Certificate
- Online
- Yes
- Good to know
- The oldest Bible college in the movement that became the UPCI. Known for prayer, worship, and music, with a campus church where students serve.
Official website · (651) 739-7686 · Instagram @apostolicbible
Northeast Christian College
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada · UPCI-endorsed
- Programs
- Theology, with both theological and practical ministry training
- Online
- Distance learning available
- Good to know
- Weekend ministry program and ministry trips, with instructors active in ministry across Canada
Official website · (506) 453-1590 · Instagram @ncc4ministry
North Texas Christian College
Euless, Texas · UPCI-endorsed
- Programs
- Associate and bachelor's degree plans, a Church Planting Certificate, and dual credit for high school students
- Online
- Online and hybrid classes
- Degree partnership
- Partners with Dallas Christian College for a pathway to accredited master's degrees
Official website · (702) 900-6822 · Instagram @ntccollege
Florida Apostolic Bible Center
Seffner (Tampa), Florida · On the 26-acre New Life Tabernacle campus
- Programs
- A UPCI-approved associate degree program, a Church Planting Certification, and a Christian Education Certification
- Format
- Hybrid, including a 15-month program
- Good to know
- A newer school working toward full accreditation as a four-year program
Official website · (813) 740-1868
Genesis Institute of Theology, Evangelism & Leadership
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada · UPCI-endorsed
- Programs
- Certificate of Biblical Studies, Diploma of Christian Ministry, Bachelor of Practical Theology, and music certificates and diplomas
- Good to know
- Also offers LEAD training for local ministerial license and Spanish-language programming
Official website · Instagram @genesistheology
W.L. Bonner College
Columbia, South Carolina · Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC) · Founded 1995
- Programs
- Bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs in religious studies and Christian ministry
- Cost
- About $5,400 a year in tuition and fees (2024 federal data)
- Good to know
- Founded by Bishop William L. Bonner. A small school with a close-knit feel.
Official website · (803) 401-5798 · Instagram @wlbonnercollege
Aenon Bible College
Indianapolis, Indiana · Official school of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) · Founded 1941
- Programs
- Ministerial and ordination licensing, the Pastor's Academy, and minister and lay worker certifications
- Online
- Yes, with in-person, virtual, evening, and weekend options
- Good to know
- Reaches students through many satellite institutes around the world
Official website · (317) 549-0255
Apostolic Holiness Christian College
Apostolic Faith Fellowship Organization (AFFO)
- Format
- Classroom instruction and distance learning
- Good to know
- Founded by and part of the AFFO, an "old school" holiness fellowship
Official website · Contact page
Graduate school and other training options
- Urshan Graduate School of Theology (Wentzville, MO): the UPCI's graduate seminary, accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission. Offers master's degrees and a Doctor of Ministry.
- Church of Christ Bible Institute (New York City): run by COOLJC.
- Centro Teológico Ministerial: a UPCI-endorsed Spanish-language Bible college.
- Christian Service Training Institute (CSTI): UPCI-endorsed ministry training online and through satellite campuses.
- Purpose Institute: ministry training taught through local Apostolic trainers in churches around the world.
Bible college is where a lot of Apostolic couples meet
Ask around and you'll hear it again and again: "We met at Bible college." Spending a few years in classes, choir, and ministry with other young Apostolics who are serious about God is one of the best ways to find lifelong friends, and often a spouse. (Bible college is #6 on our list of 10 places Apostolic singles actually meet.)
If you're not heading to Bible college, or you graduated and everyone scattered back home, One Accord helps you stay connected and meet Apostolic singles from every school and district. It's the only 100% free dating app for Apostolic singles.
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Download One Accord freeFrequently asked questions
What are the Apostolic Pentecostal Bible colleges?
The main Apostolic Bible colleges in North America are Urshan University, Christian Life College, Indiana Bible College, Texas Bible College, Apostolic Bible Institute, Northeast Christian College, North Texas Christian College, Florida Apostolic Bible Center, Genesis Institute, W.L. Bonner College, Aenon Bible College, and Apostolic Holiness Christian College.
Which Apostolic Bible colleges are accredited?
Urshan University (Higher Learning Commission) and Christian Life College (WSCUC) are regionally accredited, and Urshan Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission. Several other schools offer degree partnerships with accredited colleges.
What is the oldest Apostolic Bible college?
Apostolic Bible Institute in Minnesota, founded in 1937, is the oldest Bible college in the movement that became the UPCI. Aenon Bible College, the PAW's school, was founded in 1941.
How much does Apostolic Bible college cost?
Costs vary by school. Based on recent federal data, Urshan University's tuition and fees are about $8,756 a year and W.L. Bonner College's are about $5,400 a year. Ask each school about scholarships, work-study, and housing costs.
Can I go to Apostolic Bible college online?
Yes. Urshan University, Christian Life College, Indiana Bible College, Texas Bible College, Apostolic Bible Institute, North Texas Christian College, Aenon Bible College, and others offer online or hybrid classes.
Which Apostolic Bible college is best for music?
Indiana Bible College is especially known for its worship studies and music, and Texas Bible College offers a Music Ministry program. Apostolic Bible Institute and Genesis Institute also offer music programs.
Information comes from each school's website, the UPCI Office of Education & Endorsement, accreditor directories, and federal college data, checked November 4, 2026. Details change, so confirm costs, programs, and accreditation with each school. Know an Apostolic Bible college we missed, or see something out of date? Let us know and we'll update it.