Many students who successfully complete high school and make plans to attend college choose institutions of higher learning based on many different factors. Some students will choose a college or university that is close to their home and family. This way they are able to travel for visits and holidays. Other students choose their colleges or universities based on the fields they wish to study. If a student wants to pursue a specific field of academics such as archeology or oceanography and they live in Nebraska, the colleges around their hometowns may not have the classes or the degree program they need. Still others choose a college or university based on its religious affiliation. Many of these colleges and universities are considered private and not public institutions of higher learning. These Christian distance learning colleges can be found in major cities and small towns across the country.

Along with a traditional college campus, many of these Christian distance learning colleges offer many classes and degree programs online. Like many of their counterparts in the public school arena, Christian distance learning colleges have increased their online course offerings substantially in the past few years. The courses offered by Christian distance learning colleges can be different than those offered by public schools. Affiliation to a particular religious tenet determines the types of courses offered by Christian distance learning colleges and the materials that will be covered. Another difference is that the professors and instructors who work at Christian distance learning colleges are often of the same religious group as the college or university. While this in and of itself is not a drawback, it can limit the types of degrees and coursework available at Christian distance learning colleges.

Christian distance learning colleges are often more expensive to attend than the counterparts in the public school sector. The reason for this is the public schools receive financial assistance from the government and Christian distance learning colleges do not because they are associated with a particular religion. Many Christian distance learning colleges are considered liberal arts colleges and offer many excellent learning opportunities for their students. Many of these classes will be faith based and assist the student population with their spiritual as well as academic growth.