

Warner University is a private Christian university in Lake Wales, Florida. It was founded in 1968 as Warner Southern College and later adopted the Warner University name, reflecting an identity that extends beyond its original undergraduate college.
The institution's history is tied to the Church of God movement based in Anderson, Indiana. That connection remains relevant to its mission, campus life, and approach to education. For prospective students, Warner's history is less about a long list of name changes than about the continuity of its Christian affiliation as its academic offerings have developed.
Warner University offers programs in the liberal arts and sciences, professional fields, and Christian ministry. Undergraduate areas represented in its academic offerings include business administration, education, agriculture, biology, psychology, criminal justice, social work, communication, and religious studies.
Students can pursue bachelor's-level study as well as graduate-level programs. Academic options and degree requirements can change, so a prospective student should check the current academic catalog for the exact credential, course sequence, and delivery format of a proposed major. This matters particularly for teacher preparation and other fields in which completing a degree is only one part of qualifying for a professional license.
Reported staffing includes 36 full-time and 71 part-time faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1. That ratio describes enrollment relative to faculty; it does not establish the size of every class or how often a particular major's courses are offered.
Warner University is in Lake Wales, a city in central Florida's Polk County. Its campus setting differs from a large urban university: students should plan around a smaller surrounding community and the practicalities of getting to classes, work, and appointments.
The student body includes both residents and commuters, making transportation an important consideration. Students comparing housing options should assess travel time and parking alongside rent. Orlando International Airport is a useful regional airport for longer-distance travel, but students should account for the ground trip between the airport and Lake Wales rather than assuming it is next to campus.
Warner University identifies itself as a Christian institution whose educational purpose connects academic study with faith, service, and preparation for work and community life. Its affiliation with the Church of God movement is part of that institutional identity.
Prospective students should understand this as the university's stated educational philosophy, not as a measured outcome for every student. Those comparing Warner with nonreligious institutions may want to review the current catalog and student handbook for the practical requirements associated with faith-based campus life, including any chapel, coursework, or conduct expectations that apply to them.
Name of the institution
Warner UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Rural: FringeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Protestant (Church of God)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1968Warner University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 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 at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData 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.