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Heritage Christian University

#1618 in US ranking Florence, AL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$28,765
Tuition & fees
$12,710
Avg. aid
$6,603
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
90%
ACT range
18–19

Outcomes

Graduation rate
67%

What is the history of Heritage Christian University?

Heritage Christian University is a private Christian institution in Florence, Alabama, whose academic identity centers on biblical education and preparation for ministry. It began in 1968 as International Bible College and later adopted the Heritage Christian University name as its academic offerings developed.

Its history matters to applicants because it is a specialized religious institution, not a broad-based university with an extensive range of unrelated majors. Students comparing programs should check the current catalog for the degree level and course sequence that match their goals.

What are the faculties and departments at Heritage Christian University?

Heritage Christian University organizes its academic offerings around biblical studies and ministry rather than a large collection of separate colleges or professional schools. Its degree offerings include undergraduate and graduate study in these fields.

Prospective students should distinguish a degree's title from its curriculum: two programs in biblical studies may differ substantially in their requirements for languages, general education, preaching, or practical ministry. The current catalog is the appropriate place to compare required courses, available electives, and whether a program can be completed in a student's preferred format.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 8 to 1. That institution-wide measure does not establish the size or availability of any particular class.

What is the location of Heritage Christian University?

Heritage Christian University is in Florence, in northwest Alabama's Shoals region. Its location gives students access to the Florence-Muscle Shoals area rather than a large metropolitan campus setting.

Applicants planning to commute should consider travel time and transportation alongside tuition. Residential students may also want to assess how they would reach off-campus jobs, churches, and services. Muscle Shoals Regional Airport is nearby, but students traveling from farther away should compare its available flights with other regional airport options.

What is the mission and vision of Heritage Christian University?

Heritage Christian University describes its educational purpose in Christian and biblical terms, with an emphasis on preparing people for service and ministry. Its institutional identity is associated with the Churches of Christ; applicants should understand that this religious setting informs academic and campus life.

A prospective student should read the university's current mission statement and student policies alongside the academic catalog. Those documents provide a clearer picture of its stated values and expectations than the name of a degree alone. A mission statement expresses institutional aims; it is not evidence that a particular career or ministry outcome will follow from enrollment.

Heritage Christian University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Heritage Christian University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Small

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

Under 1,000

Religious affiliation

Protestant (Church of Christ)

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Primarily Men

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1971

Heritage Christian University Accreditation

Heritage Christian University is institutionally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, 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.

Heritage Christian University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree

Data 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.