SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in El Dorado Hills, California. It enrolls 198 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarTrimester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
62/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes51
Value8
Affordability60
Selectivity89
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 40.7%, SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
40.7%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyTest OptionalApplicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
30.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,680 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,680
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
45%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
43%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$10,460
Room & Board (on-campus)
$7,380
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,293
Books & Supplies
$800
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,746
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,746
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,956
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$21,249
$30,001 – $48,000
$22,068
$48,001 – $75,000
$21,807
$75,001 – $110,000
$23,144
Over $110,000
$17,426
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,16710%percentile
$5,75625%percentile
$26,677Medianpercentile
$24,50075%percentile
$38,51890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,199
↓ $12,478
No Pell $11,259
↓ $15,418
Dependent students $14,064
↓ $12,613
Independent students $12,917
↓ $13,760
Female students $14,417
↓ $12,260
Male students $12,275
↓ $14,402
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,450, less than completers ($26,677), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
33% of full-time students who enrolled at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary graduate within six years, and 61% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
33%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
61%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary earn a median of $35,418 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$35,418
Earning > $25K
63%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Concerning. Only 42% of graduates are actively reducing principal even seven years out.
Who Studies Here
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is home to 198 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 54% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
198
Part-Time
28%
First-Generation
54%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 30.8%61
Black 25.8%51
Hispanic 18.7%37
Asian 11.6%23
Other 8.6%17
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbEl Dorado Hills, California
Housing
Limited on-campus housing7 beds
Adult Learners
72%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Trimesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary offers
a focused set of programs:
5 distinct programs across
1 major.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is 16:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
16:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$6.0M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$45,000
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
5 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
5
100%
$45,000
Pros & Cons of SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
A quick at-a-glance summary of how SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
Best for:
Based on the data, SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary.
Is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary hard to get into?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 40.7%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary has an acceptance rate of 40.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary cost?
The average net price after aid at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is $21,680 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $35,418 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,680 per year. That's roughly 1.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary known for?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is best known for its programs in Theology, Theology, Bible/Biblical Studies. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary are $35,418, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary accredited?
Yes. SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary enrolls 198 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary graduates 33% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary a public or private college?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary located?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is located in El Dorado Hills, California.
What programs does SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary offer?
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary offers 5 distinct programs. The most popular include Theology, Theology, Bible/Biblical Studies.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary?
The student-to-faculty ratio at SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary is 16:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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