
Colorado Christian University (CCU) traces its origins to the Denver Bible Institute, founded in 1914. Its history helps explain why Christian studies remain part of an institution that now offers programs across business, education, health care, the arts, and other fields.
The university's present identity emerged through later institutional changes, including the 1985 combination of Rockmont College and Colorado Baptist University to form Colorado Christian College. It adopted the Colorado Christian University name in 1989. Today, CCU serves both traditional undergraduates and adults pursuing undergraduate or graduate credentials, including online students.
CCU organizes its academics chiefly through the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. The distinction matters to applicants: programs for residential undergraduates and programs designed for working adults can differ in format, scheduling, admissions procedures, and price.
Its offerings span Christian studies and theology, business, education, nursing and other health-related fields, psychology, communication, music, and the sciences. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees as well as selected associate and graduate credentials. Some fields, particularly nursing and teacher preparation, may have separate admission steps or requirements beyond admission to the university.
Applicants should compare the catalog requirements for the exact program and delivery format they want. A subject offered online or through the adult college does not necessarily have the same course sequence or campus experience as a residential undergraduate major.
CCU's main campus is in Lakewood, Colorado, immediately west of Denver. Its suburban setting gives residential students a defined campus while placing internships, employers, cultural venues, and public services in a larger metropolitan area.
Commuting arrangements depend on a student's schedule and where classes meet; online enrollment is a separate experience from attending the Lakewood campus. Students bringing a car should check current parking rules and costs. Denver International Airport is the region's principal airport, although travel between the airport and Lakewood requires additional ground transportation.
Colorado Christian University describes its educational mission in explicitly Christian terms. It seeks to combine academic study with spiritual formation and service, rather than treating faith as separate from the curriculum or campus experience.
CCU identifies with evangelical Christianity. Prospective students should expect its religious commitments to shape institutional policies, chapel and other campus programming, and parts of the academic experience. Reading the current student handbook and the requirements of a proposed major is more useful than assuming that every class or student activity addresses faith in the same way. The university's stated aims describe its priorities; they are not, by themselves, measures of student outcomes.
Name of the institution
Colorado Christian UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1914Colorado Christian University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 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
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 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.