Is Ascent College a Christian college?

Yes. Ascent College is a Christian college.

Christian college

Ascent College

Gainesville, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year

Ascent College is an accredited, mainly online Christian college in Virginia. Its 2026-27 catalog states a statement of faith, the BA requires Old and New Testament surveys and other Bible and theology courses, and degree programs require weekly service in partner churches.

Academic Excellence

Academic Excellence is computed for four-year colleges with at least 100 undergraduates. Seminaries, graduate-only schools, and two-year colleges are not rated.

Faith scorecard

Each area’s grade and what we found. Tap an area to see the findings and their sources.

Partly researched

We have checked some of this college’s faith and campus life facts against its own official pages. There is not yet enough verified to grade them, so the findings below are what we could confirm. Anything not listed has not been confirmed yet.

Spiritual life staff serving online students (pastors, ministers and professional staff): 1 to 2 (One chaplain is listed on the staff page.)
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian mission: Yes (The chaplain role is listed.)
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students: 3 or more courses (BA general ministry courses include BIB105, BIB110, BIB150, BIB215, BIB313, THE230, THE212 and THE301.)
Required courses include study of the Old and New Testaments: Required of all students
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses required: 2 courses (HUM301 (from a Christian perspective) and PSY202 Introduction to Psychology and Christian Counseling, both in the BA general education.)
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy): Yes (Taken from the catalog's statement on programs; a mission statement alone was not used.)
A published statement of faith: Yes
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculum: Required of all students
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for service: Many
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian mission: Yes

N/A

Online worship and prayer

Not enough information · 0 of 5 found

Not enough information:
Online chapel or worship services during the week (live or recorded, with a schedule)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Online worship nights or praise servicesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Online prayer opportunities (prayer groups, prayer days or weeks)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Published weekly schedule of online chapel, worship and prayerNot enough information: no verified chapel or worship times are recorded.
Not enough information:
Online spiritual formation: mentoring, discipleship or small groups led by staff or facultyNot enough information: not found in official sources.

Bible and theology

93 of 100 points · 5 of 5 found

Yes:
Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor's students3 or more courses (BA general ministry courses include BIB105, BIB110, BIB150, BIB215, BIB313, THE230, THE212 and THE301.)
Sources (1)
1. Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/bachelor-of-arts-in-ministry-leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “All students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership degree path at Ascent College will be required to complete the following general ministry requirements.”
  Every BA student takes the general ministry courses, which include Bible and theology courses.
  “BIB105 Old Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The Old Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.
  “BIB110 New Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The New Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.
Yes:
Required courses include study of the Old and New TestamentsRequired of all students
Sources (1)
1. Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/bachelor-of-arts-in-ministry-leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BIB105 Old Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The Old Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.
  “BIB110 New Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The New Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.
Partly:
Christian worldview or faith-and-learning courses required2 courses (HUM301 (from a Christian perspective) and PSY202 Introduction to Psychology and Christian Counseling, both in the BA general education.)
Sources (1)
1. Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/bachelor-of-arts-in-ministry-leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “This course explores current issues affecting both American society and the international community from a Christian perspective.”
  HUM301 Contemporary Moral Issues, required in the BA general education, is taught from a Christian perspective.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in academic or faculty policy)Yes (Taken from the catalog's statement on programs; a mission statement alone was not used.)
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ascent-College-Academic-Catalog-2026-2027-Final-08152026.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “but also assist them in viewing academic and professional subjects in light of their Christian faith.”
  The catalog states that programs assist students in viewing academic and professional subjects in light of their Christian faith.
Yes:
A published statement of faithYes
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ascent-College-Academic-Catalog-2026-2027-Final-08152026.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “We believe the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.”
  The college publishes a statement of faith.

N/A

Christian community online

Not enough information · 2 of 4 found

Partly:
Spiritual life staff serving online students (pastors, ministers and professional staff)1 to 2 (One chaplain is listed on the staff page.)
Sources (1)
1. Staff | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/staff · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Rev. Kevin Willis Chaplain”
  A chaplain is listed on the college's staff page.
Not enough information:
Online Bible studies, small groups and Christian student organizationsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Faculty affirm the college's statement of faithNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Office or senior leader for spiritual life or Christian missionYes (The chaplain role is listed.)
Sources (1)
1. Staff | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/staff · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Rev. Kevin Willis Chaplain”
  A chaplain is listed on the college's staff page.

Missions and service

100 of 100 points · 3 of 4 found

Not enough information:
Service or outreach officeNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Service hours or service-learning in the curriculumRequired of all students
Sources (1)
1. Partner Sites | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/partner-sites · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Degree programs require weekly service, tracked in partnership with local senior pastors and mentoring faculty”
  Degree programs require weekly service, tracked with partner pastors and mentoring faculty.
Yes:
Partnerships with local churches and ministries for serviceMany
Sources (1)
1. Partner Sites | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/partner-sites · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Our Spirit-Filled Partners Bethel Temple Church 1705 Todds Lane Hampton, VA 23666”
  The college lists many partner churches.
Yes:
Service explicitly rooted in the Christian missionYes
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ascent-College-Academic-Catalog-2026-2027-Final-08152026.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Guide students in Spirit-empowered formation for Christian mission with their local church communities.”
  An institutional goal is Spirit-empowered formation for Christian mission.

Strengths

The college publishes a statement of faith.
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ascent-College-Academic-Catalog-2026-2027-Final-08152026.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “We believe the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.”
  The college publishes a statement of faith.
Degree programs require weekly service in partner churches, and the partner list is long.
Sources (1)
1. Partner Sites | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/partner-sites · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Degree programs require weekly service, tracked in partnership with local senior pastors and mentoring faculty”
  Degree programs require weekly service, tracked with partner pastors and mentoring faculty.
  “Our Spirit-Filled Partners Bethel Temple Church 1705 Todds Lane Hampton, VA 23666”
  The college lists many partner churches.
The BA requires Old and New Testament surveys.
Sources (1)
1. Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/bachelor-of-arts-in-ministry-leadership · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “BIB105 Old Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The Old Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.
  “BIB110 New Testament Survey (3 credits)”
  The New Testament Survey is a required general ministry course.

Concerns

The catalog says leadership and faculty offer the statement.
Sources (1)
1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ascent-College-Academic-Catalog-2026-2027-Final-08152026.docx.pdf · verified Oct. 20, 2026
  “Faith in God should be understood and talked about knowledgeably. The leadership and faculty of Ascent College offer these articles to represent our faith commitment.”
  The college publishes a statement of faith offered by its leadership and faculty.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Campus ministry

Ascent College chaplaincy

Sources (1)

Staff | Ascent Collegeascent.edu/staff · verified Oct. 20, 2026
“Rev. Kevin Willis Chaplain”
A chaplain is listed on the college's staff page.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	87
Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023	Men 44% · Women 56%
Total students	87
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	100%
Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24	$25
Students receiving Pell grants	27%

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Campus facts

Setting	Suburb
Part-time undergraduates	100%
Undergraduates aged 25 and older	64%
Students per faculty member	8 to 1
Endowment per student	$2,265IPEDS, 2023, per student
Nearest airport with airline service	Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)About 13 miles away
Town population	18,196Census, 2020–2024
Nearest city of 250,000 people or more	WashingtonAbout 33 miles away
Typical weather	33°F in January · 78°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from Manassas, VA, about 9 miles away

Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). None of this changes the faith grades.

Campus safety reports

On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.

On-campus crimes per 1,000 students
Category	This campus	U.S. rate
Rape	0.00	0.07
Robbery	0.00	0.01
Aggravated assault	0.00	0.04
Burglary	36.14	0.08
Motor vehicle theft	0.00	0.15

Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.

Source: Official data: U.S. Department of Education

Questions families ask

Is Ascent College a Christian college?: Yes. Ascent College is a Christian college.

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About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 458113
Carnegie classification: Special focus: faith-related institution
Accreditation: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Assemblies of God Church
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