
Carolina University is a private Christian university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It adopted its current name in 2020 after operating as Piedmont International University, a name that reflected its earlier identity as a Bible-focused institution.
The university traces its origins to Piedmont Bible Institute, founded in 1945. Its later development broadened its academic offerings beyond biblical and ministerial studies, and its combination with John Wesley University in 2018 added another chapter to that history. The Carolina University name signals a broader academic scope, but the institution retains an explicitly Christian mission. Applicants researching older records should recognize that references to Piedmont International University may concern the same institution under its former name.
Carolina University offers undergraduate and graduate study across religious studies and several nonreligious fields. Its academic offerings include biblical and theological studies alongside business, education, psychology, computer-related subjects, and other areas.
Students comparing programs should look beyond the university-wide list of fields to the specific credential, delivery format, and current catalog requirements. A subject appearing in institutional reporting does not necessarily mean that every degree level or course is available on campus every term. This distinction matters particularly for applicants seeking teacher preparation or another career with state-specific licensing rules.
The institution reported a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1 and employed both full-time and part-time instructors. That ratio describes enrollment relative to faculty; it does not tell a prospective student the size or format of a particular class.
Carolina University is based in Winston-Salem, a city in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region. Its campus is in an urban setting, so local transportation, employment, and off-campus housing options are relevant to the student experience.
Commuting is especially important here: institutional reporting indicates that roughly 85% of students commute. Students without a car should check the route and schedule for each required in-person class rather than assume that living elsewhere in Winston-Salem will make travel straightforward. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, subject to campus parking rules.
Piedmont Triad International Airport serves the region and may be useful for students traveling from farther away. Applicants to online programs should separately confirm whether their program requires campus visits, internships, or other in-person activities.
Carolina University describes its educational purpose in Christian terms while offering programs that extend beyond religious study. Its stated priorities connect academic learning with leadership, service, and preparation for professional life.
That identity is relevant to applicants evaluating the university's curriculum and campus expectations. A prospective student should read the current mission statement, student handbook, and requirements for their particular program to understand where religious commitments appear in coursework or community policies. A stated mission describes the institution's aims; it is not, by itself, evidence of a particular student outcome.
Name of the institution
Carolina UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (Christian non-denominational)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1947Carolina University is institutionally accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.