How Called College compares to other ministry programs
By Called College Staff | Updated 12/18/25
If you’re looking for a ministry training program, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options available. Current options are often Leadership Colleges and Universities, but Called College offers a hybrid experience tailored for the needs of today’s ministers-in-training. So let’s break down how Called College compares to other programs across several important aspects of ministry training. While each has its own strengths, they offer distinct experiences in key areas.
Summary:
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- Called College is a balance between the Leadership College and University models in terms of cost, campus experience, and approach to ministry training.
- Called College presents a totally unique training model to that is optimized for future pastors, missionaries, and evangelists.
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Jump to:
Ministry Training
Called College
Our model is specifically designed for future pastors, missionaries, and evangelists. By offering only Pastoral Studies and Global Studies degrees, our entire spiritual environment is focused on training these students. Students also gain practical experience by training in a variety of ministry contexts, traveling all over the state to serve in churches of all sizes. Called College creates these church partnerships and manages each student’s unique training opportunities.
Compared to:
- Leadership Colleges: Training is typically focused on a single ministry context, often a megachurch. While providing hands-on experience in that specific environment, it may limit exposure to other ministry contexts.
- Universities: Practical ministry training is usually not actively managed by the school. Students are responsible for finding their own internships or church placements. The broad academic offerings means a large portion of the student body is not training for ministry, which can change the spiritual environment.
Academics
Called College
Students learn in the classroom with live instructors and a low student-teacher ratio. This allows for direct engagement with professors, discussion with classmates, and a community-centered learning environment.
Compared to:
- Leadership Colleges: Academic classes are generally online only, as they are often an academic partner of a university. Students have in-person ministry practicum classes, but the core academic instruction is remote.
- Universities: The majority of classes are in-person. However, due to large student bodies, class sizes are often very large with a high student-teacher ratio. Universities also tend to offer fully-online degree programs for those who want maximum flexibility.
Tuition and Aid
Called College
Unique partnerships with North Central University, Illinois District Council and Lake Williamson Christian Center enable our programs to be fairly priced. Every student receives a need-based scholarships, in addition to other scholarships they earn. Through our academic partner, North Central University, students may complete their FAFSA to apply for Title IV federal aid.
Compared to:
- Leadership Colleges: The cost can be very low, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- Universities: They are typically very expensive, often leading to significant student debt. Universities may use a high tuition-high aid pricing strategy that artificially inflates the cost of attendance.
Campus Life
Called College
Students live on-campus in premium duplexes and apartments owned by the school, fostering a tight-knit community with a shared spiritual focus. The student population is around 50-60 young people all pursuing ministry, ensuring a focused training environment. The Student Life Department offers fun outings and gatherings for students to have fun and take a break from ministry training.
Compared to:
- Leadership Colleges: Students typically live in apartments near the church they serve in. The student population tends to be low, some with under a dozen students.
- Universities: Students usually live on-campus in dorms or apartments. The student body is much larger, which can make the spiritual environment less focused for ministry students. There is usually a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities like sports, clubs, and student organizations.
What’s best for you?
Called College is not for everyone, but that’s the point! We specialize in training pastors, missionaries, and evangelists, whereas the other education models have a wider audience in mind. Here’s our two cents on which experience is best for you:
Called College
Best if you:
- Are seeking 100% hands-on ministry training in a wide variety of contexts.
- Prefer in-person learning.
- Desire tight community with others who are called to ministry.
Leadership College
Best if you:
- Want to serve primarily in the ministry of the hosting church.
- Desire the flexibility of online classes and more degree options, while still having an in-person ministry training component.
- Prioritize low cost.
University
Best if you:
- Are seeking education for a non-ministry career path, such as nursing, teaching, STEAM, or business.
- Value a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities.
- Want the flexibility to pursue online studies on your own schedule.
Want to learn more about Called? Browse our website or, better yet, visit us during a Preview Day! Click the link below to sign up for the next one.