by Dr. Thomas White, President of Cedarville University
Reflections on Mission, Sustainability, and the Future of Cedarville
While Cedarville University currently remains strong, challenges to the landscape of higher education continue to mount. Fewer high school students will be graduating in the coming decade. Affordability remains a question for many. Economic pressures have reduced profit margins. Some question the value of a degree. Evangelicalism continues to be marginalized in society. I could go on, but you get the point. We must look into the future and position the University for continued success. We must be willing to change and adapt to market pressures, or we will go the way of Blockbuster, Blackberry, and K-Mart.
For Cedarville to thrive and perhaps survive in the coming decades, we must develop online undergraduate degrees. In this article, I will articulate why I believe so strongly in this new initiative.
Strengthening Cedarville’s Future
Universities without fully developed online undergraduate programs experience a business disadvantage. The additional revenue stream can only be offset by a substantial endowment. Cedarville has neither. We must work on both because we consistently hear about small, tuition-driven schools that lack large endowments or additional revenue streams closing.
For over a decade, I have studied business models within higher education, and one truth remains clear: Institutions must develop multiple revenue streams to remain stable. At Cedarville, we have increased scholarships, seeking to increase affordability and minimize student debt while maintaining the highest academic and spiritual standards. Despite rising costs, the net tuition revenue per student remains comparable to what it was 15 years ago, adjusted for inflation. While sticker prices have increased, so too have scholarships and tuition discounts. Developing new revenue streams like online education will help us navigate these financial realities and keep a biblical education affordable for our students.
Starting in fall 2025, Cedarville University will begin offering fully online undergraduate degrees. Over the coming years, we plan to develop online degree programs across all academic disciplines, ensuring that our commitment to academic excellence and biblical integration extends far beyond our physical campus.
Expanding Our Mission
For decades, Cedarville has provided a Christ-centered education rooted in a biblical worldview. While we have done this successfully on campus, we frequently encounter students who, for various reasons, are unable to relocate to southwest Ohio for their education.
Cost remains a significant barrier. Many students who desire a Cedarville education struggle to afford the full residential experience. Online courses, which are more cost-effective to deliver, provide an opportunity for students to earn a Cedarville degree at a lower price point without sacrificing academic quality or biblical faithfulness. Research consistently shows that a college degree significantly enhances lifetime earning potential, making higher education one of the most valuable investments a student can make.
For some, an online degree will serve as a stand-alone option; for others, it will complement their on-campus experience. Our Christian school partners and homeschooled dual enrollment students can complete general education requirements while still in high school, allowing them to graduate in three years or take a reduced course load each semester. Others may begin their studies on campus and complete their degrees online for financial, personal, or logistical reasons.
At Cedarville, our mission is to transform lives through excellent education and biblical faithfulness. Online learning enables us to deliver high-quality, Christ-centered content to students anywhere in the world at any time.
Maintaining Our Distinctives
Our goal is to make the greatest possible impact for King Jesus. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Just as on our campus, Cedarville’s online programs will uphold our core beliefs: the inerrancy of Scripture, a literal six-day creation, the God-ordained design of male and female, and salvation through Christ alone. Every online course will be taught by professors who affirm our doctrinal commitments, ensuring that students receive the same biblically grounded education regardless of their location.
For years, we have successfully offered online graduate programs, and we are well-equipped to extend this expertise to undergraduate education. Our Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), established decades ago, provides faculty with cutting-edge tools to deliver dynamic and effective online instruction.
No student should be forced into a secular, humanistic education that contradicts their faith. Cedarville University is committed to providing an alternative — one that is academically rigorous, spiritually enriching, and boldly biblical.
While we will always champion the value of on-campus, face-to-face education, we are excited to expand our reach and serve more students than ever before.
To learn more about our online undergraduate degrees visit cedarville.edu/online.
