Kairos University

Kairos specializes in practical, faith-based education with a heavy emphasis on leadership training across sectors. Programs range from certificates to PhDs, all designed for working professionals:

• Bachelor of Arts in Leadership: Focuses on vocational discipleship, blending theology with real-world application
• MA in Leadership: A new $300/month online program targeting ministry and nonprofit professionals
• PhD in Organizational Leadership: Prepares students for leadership in ministry, education, and healthcare

The 8:1 student-faculty ratio suggests personalized attention, but the curriculum leans heavily toward online and hybrid formats rather than traditional classroom instruction.

This isn’t your typical residential college experience. Kairos students are often already embedded in ministry or professional work, with the university explicitly encouraging them to integrate coursework with their existing roles. Key quirks:

• The school redefines 'full-time student' as someone balancing 12-15 hours of weekly coursework with external ministry/work
• Summer internship programs place students in faith-based organizations
• Campus culture (to the extent one exists) revolves around theological discourse rather than traditional undergrad socializing

One Reddit user bluntly noted: 'Don’t come here expecting football games or Greek life.'

Outcome data is sparse, but the Department of Education’s College Scorecard suggests Kairos serves a niche audience rather than guaranteeing broad career mobility. The university emphasizes preparing graduates for church leadership and nonprofit roles, not corporate tracks. No published salary averages or employment rates could be verified—unsurprising for a school where many students are already employed in ministry during their studies.

Kairos’s biggest selling point is its unusually low tuition, claiming to be 75-90% cheaper than national averages. The $300/month MA program exemplifies its budget-conscious model. However:

• Almost no students receive federal grants (per College Raptor)
• Limited scholarship options exist, primarily work-study programs and mission-focused awards
• No data available on average debt loads or loan default rates

This is a pay-as-you-go institution best suited for students who can cash-flow their education.

Kairos University is theological education stripped to its essentials—no fancy dorms, no climbing walls, just hyper-affordable programs for working adults committed to ministry. Its radical flexibility (blending coursework with existing jobs) and refusal to play the rankings game make it a compelling option for:

• Aspiring pastors seeking ordination without debt
• Nonprofit professionals wanting faith-based leadership training
• Career changers pivoting to ministry roles

But its lack of traditional student supports and sparse outcome data mean it’s not for everyone.