# Megachurches enter college market with lower-cost degree programs  
**Published:** 2026-05-27T18:29:46.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/megachurches-enter-college-market-with-lower-cost-degree-programs

A new wave of Christian colleges launched by megachurches is reshaping higher education by offering lower-cost, hands-on training over traditional liberal arts curricula, according to a report from the [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/).

The shift comes as traditional small Christian colleges struggle with declining enrollment and rising costs. [Birmingham-Southern College, a 168-year-old Methodist institution in Alabama, graduated its final class in 2024](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/), while nearby Highlands College, spawned from the Church of the Highlands megachurch, welcomed its first freshman class that same year. The contrast highlights a fundamental shift in how some religious organizations approach Christian education.

[Southeastern University in Florida has pioneered a franchise-style model, partnering with more than 200 churches across the country](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/) to launch college programs. [Elevation Church in North Carolina announced plans to launch Elevation College in fall 2026](https://www.elevationcollege.com/), offering students regionally accredited degrees at competitive prices. The church's partnership model combines Southeastern's academic curriculum with hands-on ministry experience.

These megachurch colleges focus heavily on job training in ministry and business rather than pursuing comprehensive liberal arts education. [A $20 million donation from the Green family of Hobby Lobby funded residence halls at Highlands College, while a $50 million donation supported construction at Austin Christian University](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/). These institutions are attracting substantial donor support and growing enrollment through built-in faith communities.

However, critics raise concerns about accountability and student outcomes. [Some of the newer colleges eschew traditional regional accrediting in favor of alternative accreditation from religious nonprofits, meaning students' credits may not transfer and coursework doesn't qualify for federal financial aid](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/). Education experts warn that close ties to a single church could limit institutional transparency and student options after graduation.

The trend mirrors a broader political shift. [States including Florida, Georgia and Minnesota have opened state financial assistance programs to religious colleges in recent years](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/), following similar efforts in K-12 education. The Trump administration has also proposed relaxing accreditation rules, potentially making it easier for new religious schools to operate.

Locally, Nebraska's existing Christian colleges face their own pressures. Nebraska Christian College, once located near Omaha, merged with Hope International University in 2016 before ceasing operations during the pandemic, illustrating the broader challenges facing traditional faith-based institutions.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/)
- [Elevation College official website](https://www.elevationcollege.com/)
- [Wikipedia article on Nebraska Christian College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_Christian_College)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/27/repub/more-megachurches-want-to-be-your-alma-mater/.