Arizona Christian University

Yes, ACU provides online learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels. With over 30 online degree programs, some are entirely online or delivered in hybrid learning formats. Regarding distance education, 12% of undergraduate students are solely enrolled in online courses, according to federal data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). 

Some consider ACU a good institution for online college education, and this is especially true for students who practice Christianity. ACU’s religious mission is to provide “a biblically-integrated, liberal arts education equipping graduates to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects of life, as leaders of influence and excellence.” Through this vision, ACU not only equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue their careers but helps them develop spiritually. Therefore, ASU may be a good choice for prospective online students who are also passionate about their faith. 

Due to online programs being delivered in a nontraditional format, some prospective students may have concerns about whether online degrees are credible after graduation. One way to determine if online degrees are legitimate is to look up a school’s accreditation status. Colleges and universities that are accredited meet the standard requirements of delivering high quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs. 

Since ACU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission — an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education — employers respect the degrees it confers. 

At OnlineU, we only include accredited online colleges and universities on our site. 

Prospective students may wonder what makes ACU stand out from other Arizona universities offering online degrees. Here are four facts about the Arizona-based Christian university:

Liberal Arts College

ACU is a Christian liberal arts college. ACU’s core Christian liberal arts curriculum helps students develop theologically, socially, academically, spiritually, and personally. Through this curriculum, the Christian university aims to prepare students to serve Jesus Christ after graduation. 

Over 50 Areas of Study

ACU offers over 50 areas of study at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. With a plethora of fields to pursue, prospective students can pick a online degree that aligns with their career interests. ACU's offers include behavioral and social sciences, biblical and theological studies, and human development and family studies — to name a few.

Online Degrees in Spirituality 

For students looking to pursue an online degree focused on spirituality, ACU offers many online bachelor’s degrees in biblical and theological studies. Some examples of these online programs are a Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies. 

Small Class Sizes

According to the school's internal data, ACU has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can benefit from smaller classes in college because they often develop stronger relationships with their professors and peers. In addition, many smaller classes are student-centered, so every student’s individual learning needs are met. 

ACU's two online bachelor's degrees that provide the highest median annual earnings for graduates are as follows:

(1) Business administration, management and operations (~$38,900) 

(2) Teacher education and professional development ($34,200)

Prospective students can pursue several online bachelor’s degrees within these two specialties. A few examples include a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

OnlineU’s proprietary Salary Score is another helpful metric to consider a degree's overall worth. This score ranks colleges by how much their alums earn compared to graduates across the country with the same degree. ACU’s salary scores are 36 out of 100 for bachelor’s degrees. 

ACU’s acceptance rate is 71%, according to federal data provided by College Scorecard. This acceptance rate indicates that about three out of four students who apply to ACU are admitted. Regarding college entrance exam scores, ACU generally accepts students with the following: 

• An SAT critical reading score between 476 and 570
• An SAT math score between 460 and 550 
• An ACT composite score between 17 and 22

To be admitted to ACU, prospective online students must complete or adhere to the following requirements: 

• Must be an evangelical believer in Christianity and affirm to ACU’s beliefs
• Meet the minimum requirement of a 2.5 unweighted high school GPA
• Submit a completed online application (includes questions that discuss an applicant’s relationship with Jesus)
• Submit official high school transcripts or GED scores to ACU’s Office of the Registrar
• Apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Applicants can contact ACU’s Office of Admissions if they have questions about the application.