Online College Review: Should I Go to Regent University?
January 13, 2026
Regent University is a private, nonprofit Christian university in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offering online programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels for adult learners, working professionals, and military-affiliated students. This review examines what Regent offers, who it serves well, what it costs, and how it compares to alternatives across its strongest program areas.
| Quick Facts | Regent University |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Location | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Institutional type | Private, nonprofit, Christian university |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) |
| Total enrollment | ~10,200 students (Fall 2023) |
| Online enrollment | ~81% of total students |
| Average student age | ~38 (all students) |
| Military-affiliated students | ~2,600 |
| Undergraduate tuition | ~$395-$450/credit (Arts and Sciences) |
| Graduate tuition | ~$565-$730/credit depending on program |
| Students receiving financial aid | ~79% |
What Regent University Is
Regent University is one of the larger private nonprofit Christian universities in the United States, with an enrollment of approximately 10,200 students and approximately 81% of that enrollment in online or distance education formats. Founded in 1977 by Pat Robertson as a graduate school of communication and arts, Regent has grown into a broad-based university offering programs across business, law, education, counseling, divinity, psychology, communication, and arts and sciences.
The institution holds SACSCOC regional accreditation, the recognized accrediting body for the southeastern United States, which places it in the same accreditation tier as major public and private universities in the region. Unlike most large online universities, Regent maintains a substantial physical campus in Virginia Beach while serving the majority of its students remotely.
The most important contextual fact about Regent for prospective students is its Christian mission. Regent’s academic programs integrate a Christian worldview across disciplines. This is not a peripheral branding element. It is a central feature of the curriculum, the faculty hiring model, and the institutional culture. Students who are drawn to that integration will find Regent’s approach distinctive and purposeful. Students who prefer a secular academic environment or who want content delivery without faith integration should evaluate other options.
Accreditation and Programmatic Credentials
Regent holds SACSCOC regional accreditation, which establishes the baseline legitimacy of its credentials for federal financial aid eligibility, credit transferability, and general employer and graduate school recognition. Beyond institutional accreditation, several Regent programs hold specialized programmatic accreditation that has direct practical significance:
| Program Area | Accrediting Body | Why It Matters |
| Business programs | ACBSP (Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs) | Broader employer recognition than no programmatic accreditation; below AACSB for competitive grad programs |
| Nursing programs | CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) | Required by most hospital employers and graduate nursing programs |
| Education programs | CAEP (Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation) | Standard for teacher preparation programs; supports state licensure pathways |
| Counseling programs | CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) | Many state licensure boards require CACREP graduation for LPC eligibility; critical for counseling students |
| School of Law | American Bar Association (ABA) | ABA approval is required to sit for the bar exam in most states; essential for law graduates |
The CACREP accreditation for Regent’s counseling programs and the ABA approval for the School of Law are particularly significant. In counseling, many state licensing boards require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program as a condition of LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) eligibility. Students who enroll in a counseling master’s program without CACREP accreditation may find they cannot qualify for licensure in their state after graduation. Regent’s CACREP status removes that risk for its counseling programs.
For a full explanation of accreditation types and how to verify them, see: What Makes an Online University Legitimate?
Who Regent University Online Serves
Regent’s enrollment profile is one of the most distinctive among large online universities. With an average student age of approximately 38 and approximately 81% of students enrolled online, Regent operates as a primarily adult-learner institution in practice even though it enrolls traditional-age students in some programs.
Student Demographics
| Demographic | Share of Enrollment | Context |
| Students age 25-34 | ~23% | Early career adult learners |
| Students age 35-44 | ~22% | Mid-career professionals and career changers |
| Students age 45-59 | ~24% | Late-career credential completion or advancement |
| Military-affiliated students | ~2,600 (approximately 25%) | Veterans, active duty, spouses, and dependents |
| Female students | ~64% | Reflects counseling and education enrollment concentration |
| Fully online undergraduates | ~81% of total enrollment | Programs and support designed for distance learners |
The Military-Affiliated Population
Regent’s military-affiliated enrollment of approximately 2,600 students, representing roughly 25% of total enrollment, is significantly higher than most comparable private online universities. This is relevant for military-affiliated prospective students evaluating Regent because it signals a more developed support infrastructure for this population: familiarity with military benefit programs including TA (Tuition Assistance) and GI Bill processing, academic advising staff experienced with deployment and scheduling disruptions, and a peer community that includes a substantial proportion of veterans and active duty students.
Regent participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for post-9/11 GI Bill eligible students, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for veterans at private institutions where tuition exceeds the GI Bill coverage cap.
Programs Available Online
Undergraduate Programs
| Program | School | Notes |
| Business Administration | Business and Leadership | ACBSP accredited |
| Accounting (BS) | Business and Leadership | ACBSP accredited; CPA track preparation |
| Cybersecurity (BS) | Arts and Sciences | Growing field; complement with certifications |
| Criminal Justice (BS) | Arts and Sciences | HLC-equivalent SACSCOC credential; recognized for most LE hiring |
| Psychology (BS, non-licensure) | Psychology and Counseling | Undergraduate only; licensure requires graduate credential |
| Communication Studies (BA) | Arts and Sciences | Media, journalism, and communication focus |
| Leadership Studies (BS) | Business and Leadership | Applied leadership credential for management tracks |
| Christian Leadership and Ministry | Divinity | Faith-specific; ministry and church leadership roles |
Graduate and Professional Programs
| Program | Degree Level | Key Credential or Accreditation |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Master’s | ACBSP accredited |
| Master of Education / Educational Leadership | Master’s | CAEP accredited; state licensure alignment varies |
| Master of Public Administration | Master’s | NASPAA membership; public sector credential |
| MA / MS in Counseling | Master’s | CACREP accredited; supports LPC licensure in most states |
| MA in Clinical Psychology | Master’s | Pre-doctoral; not independently licensure-qualifying |
| Master of Divinity / Theology degrees | Master’s / Doctoral | ATS accredited for ministry formation |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | Professional | ABA-approved; hybrid format with campus component |
| LLM programs | Graduate law | ABA-approved institution |
| EdD / PhD in Education | Doctoral | CAEP accredited college |
Enrollment Concentration by School
Understanding where Regent’s enrollment actually concentrates helps prospective students evaluate which programs have the most developed infrastructure and peer community:
- College of Arts and Sciences: approximately 4,200 students (over 40% of total enrollment). The largest school, serving as Regent’s primary undergraduate degree completion unit
- School of Psychology and Counseling: approximately 1,300 students. Strong CACREP-accredited counseling programs
- School of Divinity: approximately 1,180 students. Regent’s oldest and most distinctive unit
- School of Education: approximately 980 students. CAEP accredited; significant graduate enrollment
- School of Business and Leadership: approximately 860 students. ACBSP accredited at undergraduate and graduate levels
- School of Law: approximately 760 students. One of the larger ABA-approved law schools in the mid-Atlantic region
Tuition, Financial Aid, and the True Cost
Regent is a private nonprofit institution, which means its tuition rates are higher than public university alternatives but not as variable as for-profit institutions. Costs differ significantly by program and degree level.
Tuition by Program Area
| Program Area | Per-Credit Tuition (approx.) | 60-Credit Grad Program Cost (est.) |
| Undergraduate Arts and Sciences | ~$395-$450/credit | N/A (120 credits = $47,400-$54,000) |
| Graduate Education programs | ~$565/credit | ~$33,900 |
| Graduate Business (MBA) | ~$695/credit | ~$41,700 |
| Graduate Psychology and Counseling | ~$615-$730/credit | ~$36,900-$43,800 |
| Law (JD) | Market rate (verify directly) | Verify with Regent Law directly |
Note: Tuition rates are approximate and subject to change. Verify current rates with Regent’s financial aid office before making enrollment decisions.
Cost Comparison to Key Alternatives
| Institution | Type | Online UG Per-Credit | Key Differentiation |
| Regent University | Private nonprofit / Christian | ~$395-$450 | Faith integration, CACREP counseling, ABA law |
| Liberty University | Private nonprofit / Christian | ~$390/credit | Largest Christian online university; broader program selection |
| Grand Canyon University | Private nonprofit / Christian | ~$490/credit | Faith-based; ACBSP business accreditation |
| SNHU Online | Private nonprofit / Secular | $330/credit | No faith integration; lower cost; ACBSP business |
| Public in-state online | Public | $150-$300/credit | Lowest cost; secular; varies by program availability |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Approximately 79% of Regent students receive some form of financial aid. The university participates fully in federal financial aid programs (FAFSA-based grants and loans) and accepts military tuition assistance and GI Bill benefits. The Yellow Ribbon program participation is particularly significant for veterans using post-9/11 GI Bill benefits: Regent contributes Yellow Ribbon funding that, combined with VA contributions, can substantially reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs for eligible veterans at programs where the GI Bill maximum does not cover full tuition.
For a complete guide to financial aid for online students, see: FAFSA for Online Students: What to Know Before You Apply
The Online Learning Experience at Regent
Academic Calendar and Format
Most undergraduate programs at Regent Online use an accelerated eight-week term format, which allows students to complete more terms per year than traditional semester-based programs and to focus on one or two subjects at a time. Graduate programs vary: some follow the eight-week format while others operate on traditional semesters. Confirm the specific term structure for your target program before enrolling.
Courses are delivered primarily asynchronously, meaning students complete readings, discussions, and assignments within weekly windows rather than attending fixed class sessions. This format is well-suited for working adults, military members with variable schedules, and students balancing family obligations.
The Christian Worldview Integration
What makes Regent’s curriculum substantively different from secular online alternatives is the explicit integration of Christian worldview content across programs. This is not limited to divinity or ministry programs. Business students engage with Christian perspectives on leadership ethics, organizational behavior, and economics. Counseling students study human psychology through frameworks that incorporate theological anthropology. Criminal justice students examine policy and justice through faith-based ethical lenses.
For students who want this integration, it is a genuine differentiator that secular institutions cannot replicate. For students who are indifferent to or uncomfortable with faith-based framing of academic content, Regent’s curriculum design will produce friction throughout the program. This is the most important self-selection criterion for evaluating Regent versus alternatives.
Writing-Intensive Curriculum
Regent’s programs are consistently described by graduates as writing-intensive. Discussion board participation, analytical papers, case studies, and capstone projects form the bulk of assessment across most programs. Students who are uncomfortable with high volumes of written work or who prefer primarily quantitative or technical assessment structures should factor this into their program selection. This characteristic is more pronounced at Regent than at many comparable online institutions.
Transfer Credit and Degree Completion
Regent accepts transfer credits from a wide range of sources, making it an accessible degree completion option for adult learners who began college previously:
- Regionally accredited colleges and universities
- Military training evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)
- CLEP and DSST examinations
- Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores
Undergraduate students may transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, subject to residency requirements. A student entering with 60 prior credits needs to complete only 60 more at Regent, which at the accelerated eight-week term format and two courses per term is achievable in approximately two years while working full-time.
At $395 to $450 per credit, 60 credits of remaining coursework costs approximately $23,700 to $27,000 in total tuition before financial aid. This is higher than SNHU ($330/credit) and public in-state alternatives but comparable to other private nonprofit online institutions with equivalent accreditation.
Regent’s Strongest Program Areas
Counseling Programs (CACREP Accredited)
Regent’s School of Psychology and Counseling, with its CACREP-accredited master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling and related tracks, is one of the institution’s most distinctive offerings. CACREP accreditation is a meaningful credential in the counseling field: many state licensing boards specifically require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program for LPC licensure eligibility. For students pursuing a counseling career with a faith-integrated graduate education, Regent’s combination of CACREP accreditation and Christian worldview framework is a genuinely rare combination among online institutions.
The mental health counseling field is also experiencing sustained demand growth. The BLS projects 18% job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors through 2034, with a median annual salary of approximately $53,710. For students pursuing the full LPC licensure pathway, median wages for licensed counselors typically range from $60,000 to $80,000 depending on specialization and setting.
School of Law (ABA Approved)
Regent School of Law holds ABA approval, which is the credential that determines whether graduates can sit for the bar exam in most states. Without ABA approval, a law school’s graduates face significant limitations in bar eligibility and legal employment. Regent Law offers a hybrid format that includes online components alongside required campus attendance.
Regent Law is known for its emphasis on constitutional law, religious liberty, and public interest law. For prospective law students whose professional interests align with those areas, Regent’s institutional focus is a substantive fit. For students interested in corporate law, big law careers, or top-ten law school-equivalent outcomes, Regent Law’s ranking profile and regional employer relationships should be researched carefully before enrollment.
Education Programs (CAEP Accredited)
Regent’s School of Education holds CAEP accreditation, the standard accreditor for teacher preparation programs in the United States. For students pursuing teaching licensure in states that recognize CAEP-accredited programs, Regent’s education credentials satisfy the accreditation requirements that many state departments of education specify. Verify that Regent’s specific education program is approved for licensure in your intended teaching state before enrolling.
Regent University vs. Key Alternatives
Regent vs. Liberty University
Liberty University is the largest Christian online university by enrollment and offers a broader selection of online programs than Regent at comparable per-credit pricing. Liberty’s program breadth is greater; Regent’s graduate and professional depth, particularly in counseling (CACREP), law (ABA), and divinity (ATS), is stronger. Students choosing between the two should compare the specific program they are targeting at each institution, including programmatic accreditation status, rather than making an institution-wide comparison.
Regent vs. SNHU
SNHU is a secular nonprofit online university charging $330 per credit with over 200 online programs and ACBSP business accreditation. For students who do not want faith integration in their coursework, SNHU is a lower-cost alternative with broader program selection. For students who specifically want faith-integrated education, SNHU does not offer it. The choice between Regent and SNHU is primarily about whether Christian worldview integration in the curriculum is a valued feature or a neutral-to-unwanted one.
Regent vs. Public Online Universities
Public in-state online universities offer the lowest cost alternative for most prospective students: $150 to $300 per credit versus Regent’s $395 to $450. For students who are Florida residents evaluating FIU Online, or for students in states with strong public online programs, the cost differential is significant and worth evaluating seriously. The tradeoff is that public universities do not offer faith-integrated curriculum, and some may not offer CACREP-accredited counseling programs or ABA-approved law programs.
Who Should and Should Not Seriously Consider Regent
Regent Is Likely a Strong Fit If:
- You want an academically rigorous online program with explicit Christian worldview integration across your coursework
- You are pursuing a counseling career and need a CACREP-accredited master’s program to qualify for LPC licensure in your state
- You are a veteran or military-affiliated student and want a university with a large, established military population and Yellow Ribbon program participation
- You are pursuing law school and want an ABA-approved institution with a specific focus on constitutional law and religious liberty practice areas
- You are completing a bachelor’s degree and want a degree completion program with a mature adult learner peer population and faith-based curriculum
Research Alternatives Before Enrolling If:
- You prefer a secular academic environment or are uncomfortable with faith-based framing of course content across all disciplines
- Cost is a significant constraint: public in-state online options and SNHU both offer lower per-credit rates with equivalent regional accreditation
- You are targeting a business program: AACSB accreditation (held by fewer than 6% of business schools globally) is the gold standard for graduate business programs that feed competitive employers. Regent holds ACBSP, which is respected but below AACSB
- Your target graduate program requires AACSB-accredited undergraduate credentials for admission
The Bottom Line
Regent University Online is a legitimate, regionally accredited private nonprofit institution with meaningful programmatic credentials in counseling (CACREP), education (CAEP), business (ACBSP), and law (ABA). Its adult learner population, accelerated format, military-friendly infrastructure, and faith-integrated curriculum make it a distinctive option in the online higher education market.
The decision to enroll at Regent versus alternatives comes down primarily to two factors: whether faith integration in your coursework is a valued or unwanted feature, and whether the cost differential relative to lower-priced secular alternatives is justified by Regent’s specific programmatic strengths in your field. For prospective counseling students who need CACREP accreditation, military-affiliated students who benefit from Yellow Ribbon participation, or adult learners who specifically want a Christian academic environment, Regent represents a well-established and academically credible option. For students whose goals are better served by a secular institution at a lower per-credit rate, the alternatives are clear.
Related Reading
- What Makes an Online University Legitimate?
- FAFSA for Online Students: What to Know Before You Apply
- The Safest Way to Finance an Online Bachelor’s Degree
- Is It Too Late to Change Careers at 40?
- Do Online Degrees Really Increase Salary? What the Data Shows
- Returning to College After 30: What to Know
- Alternative Teacher Certification Online
Sources: IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Fall 2023 enrollment data; SACSCOC accreditation directory; ACBSP accredited institution list; CACREP accreditation directory; CAEP accreditation list; American Bar Association law school approval list; Association of Theological Schools (ATS); Regent University institutional disclosure documents; U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2024; Federal Student Aid Yellow Ribbon program




