By Chris Moon
Point University continues to broaden its enrollment by tapping into “subscription” agreements with small- to medium-sized businesses across the country.
The college in West Point, Ga., has seen its total enrollment grow to roughly 2,400 students. Half of those students are part of Point’s “Elevate” program, which enables employers to pay a flat, monthly subscription fee to enable their workers to take online classes at Point for free.
The program has been a breath of fresh air in what has been a difficult season for Christian colleges – many of whom have seen enrollment declines in recent years.
Point’s total enrollment two years ago stood at about 1,500. Today, the Elevate program is the largest student program at Point University – followed by its dual-credit and traditional, on-campus programs.
“We’re very excited and optimistic that it is working,” said Dean Collins, president of Point University. “It is by far the program that is growing and growing the fastest.”
Chick-fil-A and beyond
Point University started its subscription program in the fall of 2022 with deals in place for 262 Chick-fil-A franchise owners in 38 states.
The plan enticed more than 700 Chick-fil-A employees to enroll during the first six months of the program. Students only had to pay for books and seek any federal grants for which they might qualify.
Two years later, the program – now named Elevate – has expanded. No longer does it just work with Chick-fil-A franchisees or fast-food restaurants, although many remain in the program.
“It serves any employer that wants to provide a debt-free path to their employees to get an education,” Collins said.
Point now has subscription agreements in place with multiple construction companies, including one with more than 500 employees. The program also is serving smaller telecom and broadband companies, as well as other employers.
Right now, Point has about 340 business contracts in place. Students have come to Point from 40 states through the program.
Seventy-one of Point’s graduates this spring took part in the program.
Participating companies mostly are in blue-collar industries and are privately-owned firms with 25 to 400 employees. Subscription rates can range from $6,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on the size of the company and the demographics of its workforce.
“There are a lot of things involved in determining that price,” Collins said.
Among other things, Point considers the percentage of a company’s workers who don’t have college degrees.
The age of a workforce isn’t as much of a factor, Collins said. Students have ranged in age from 17 to their upper 60s.
Employee satisfaction
For participating companies, the benefits are clear, Collins said.
“It builds some employee satisfaction and loyalty to the company when the company has done this for them,” he said.
For Point, the program is another way forward at a time when many higher education institutions are struggling.
The model is different than the traditional one, where colleges try to recruit students right out of high school. Instead, Point finds students through their employers – helping educate people who may have been unable to pursue college degrees immediately after high school and who may even have decided on their careers already.
The idea might be catching on.
“I certainly get a lot of calls from other college presidents figuring out how to replicate it,” Collins said.
Chris Moon is a pastor and writer living in Redstone, Colorado.
Author: Christian Standard
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I’m happy for Point if her purpose is to educate students in secular majors. Is Point no longer a college specializing in Christian education and in preparing students for Christian service. I am only asking this question to understand the purpose of the University.
Hi, Bob! Point University’s mission remains the same: to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership around the world. We continue to train ministers, and 1,575 students took classes in our College of Biblical Studies and Ministry last year. We are working with CIY and other Christian universities to recruit more students who are called to full-time ministry roles, as well. We are grateful that all Point students, whether called to vocational ministry or another field, are prepared to share the gospel with a world in need of it! Thanks so much for your interest.