Epic Bible College & Graduate School

Academic life at Epic is defined by an intense, singular focus on ministry training. The college offers only one undergraduate major: Pastoral Studies/Counseling. Every program, from associate to doctoral levels, requires a core of Bible and Ministry courses, placing 'hands-on Bible training at the center of everything we do.' This creates a deeply immersive but narrowly specialized curriculum where all academic roads lead to pastoral work.

The school is accredited by TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) and offers a range of degrees: Associate of Arts (AA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, MA in Ethical Leadership, MA in Christian Leadership, Master of Divinity (MDiv), and Doctor of Ministry (DMin).

Flexibility is a major selling point. Epic provides multiple modalities to accommodate working adults and non-traditional students: onsite, online, and via Zoom, with class times offered in the morning, afternoon, evening, and on weekends. The school promotes its cost as '60% lower than other colleges' and highlights that its online structure reaches a global student body.

Student life orbits around a shared religious mission within a small, close-knit community. The institution describes a culture of personal attention and accessibility, noting the 'president's open-door policy' and a 'desire to make a place for every student God brings to us.' This fosters a supportive environment for students training for ministry.

The student body is culturally diverse and includes a mix of traditional and non-traditional learners, many of whom likely balance studies with work, family, or existing ministry roles. The gender distribution skews female, with approximately 62% female and 38% male students. Only about 3% of the student body is international.

As a Bible college without a traditional residential campus or broad extracurricular slate, social and spiritual life is intrinsically linked to the academic program. The institution has a 50-year history of 'educating students within a culturally diverse environment, grounded in academic and spiritual excellence.' The vibe is less 'college campus' and more 'dedicated training ground' for Christian service.

Outcomes data reveals significant challenges with degree completion but provides a financial snapshot for those who do graduate. According to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the graduation rate is 19% (with a midpoint comparison of 59% for four-year colleges). Other sources cite even lower rates: a 4-year graduation rate of 5% and a 6-year rate of 13%. A 2017 state report for a specific program showed a 0% completion rate.

For graduates, early-career earnings are modest. The canonical figure for median earnings ten years after entry is $37,822. Other sources confirm this, noting it is about 23% less than the average pay for college graduates and represents a 'low earnings boost.' The typical graduate path leads into pastoral, counseling, or non-profit ministry roles, which are not high-paying fields.

The school's own reporting measures completion and graduation rates for certificates and degrees 'at 150% of the expected time for completion,' indicating it serves many students who take longer than the standard timeline to finish.

Epic employs a distinctive per-unit pricing model rather than a standard semester-based tuition, which it markets as a cost-saving measure. Prices vary by program level:

• $299 per unit for Associate and Bachelor's programs.
• $359 per unit for Master's programs.
• $479 per unit for Doctoral (DR) programs.

The school states that 'hundreds of students apply for financial aid and approximately 75%-85% show need.' According to federal data, about 66% of students receive some form of grant or scholarship aid, with the average amount being $2,013. Nearly half (48%) of students receive Federal Pell Grants, averaging $1,330. The average federal student loan amount is reported as $6,600 per year.

However, data on average aid packages is wildly inconsistent across sources, ranging from $1,488 to $46,400, making it difficult to pinpoint a typical net price. One source states that 0% of students receive institutional grants, suggesting most aid is federal. The school encourages external scholarships to help reduce out-of-pocket costs and loan needs.

Epic Bible College stands out for its uncompromising, no-frills focus on a single purpose: training individuals for Christian ministry. It is not a college in the conventional sense—it's a vocational and theological training center with an open admissions policy. Its identity is built on several stark contrasts with typical higher education.

First, its academic singularity is extreme. Offering only one undergraduate major (Pastoral Studies/Counseling) is almost unheard of, creating a total immersion experience for students certain of their calling.

Second, its operational model is built for accessibility. The 100% acceptance rate, flexible online/onsite/weekend classes, and per-unit pricing cater specifically to non-traditional students, working adults, and those already in ministry seeking credentialing.

Third, its outcomes profile transparently reflects its mission. The low graduation rates likely speak to the challenges its student population faces (balancing life, work, and study), while the modest median earnings of graduates ($37,822) are an honest reflection of the low-paying ministry and non-profit fields it feeds into. There is no pretense of leading to corporate lucrative careers.

Ultimately, Epic exists for a specific niche: individuals seeking an affordable, flexible, and exclusively Bible-centered education to enter ministry. It makes no attempt to be a comprehensive university, and its value must be measured entirely through the lens of that specific religious vocation.