Originally published in the fall 2025 Update Magazine.
In higher education today, promises are plentiful, and it can seem like fulfillment is rare. Vision statements are polished; branding is sophisticated. But far too often, what students find once enrolled does not match what they were told. At Pensacola Christian College, we’ve chosen a different path, one paved by mutual trust.
Since 1974, PCC has prioritized core values: offering an excellent education based on the biblical worldview, while providing an incredible experience, and keeping costs as low as possible. In recent years, we’ve become more intentional about solidifying what we have always practiced into words we can live by—the PCC Promise. The promise rests on a foundational mission: empowering leaders to influence the world for Christ.
Academic Excellence: Where Rigor Meets Purpose
Excellence never occurs accidentally or without effort. At PCC, academics are about thoughtfully and skillfully preparing every student for what comes next. PCC faculty, experts at their craft and lifelong learners, go beyond just instructing. They take the time to invest in their students. They model humility and scholarship. They use every lecture, every lab, and every exam as a chance to shape intellects and lives.
This is the aim of academic excellence: to go beyond informing and to prepare students for their next step. Within a year of graduation, approximately 93.5% of PCC alumni report they are employed or enrolled in graduate programs, ready for what’s next.[1]
Biblical Worldview: The Foundation of Truth
At PCC, the Bible is the foundation of everything we do, from how we teach to what we value. The biblical worldview is woven into every discipline, from chemistry to business, art to education; students are taught to see God’s truth as the framework for all knowledge.
This generation faces a barrage of conflicting messages about truth, identity, morality, and meaning. The ability to think biblically and live faithfully is essential. Yet, the broader cultural landscape reveals a concerning trend. According to a 2023 report by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, only 4% of Americans possess a biblical worldview.[2] Among those under 30, that number drops to just 1%.[3] Even among self-identified born-again Christians, only 13% hold a biblical worldview.[4]
We recognize the urgency of this reality. Chapel services, classroom discussions, and moments of discipleship within the residence halls aren’t isolated events—they’re purposeful, allowing for organic spiritual maturity. Knowing the right answers isn’t enough; students learn to ask the right questions and seek those answers from the Word of God.
By focusing every aspect of life through the lens of Scripture, we’re equipping students with knowledge and cultivating discernment, character, and a steadfast commitment to truth. PCC alumni are prepared to navigate a relativistic world with conviction and purpose.
Incredible Experience: A Vibrant Campus and Community
Come to campus on any given day, and you’ll observe conversations between friends about that morning’s chapel message, collegian members meeting to plan a service project, or intramural sports teams gearing up for a game. There’s an energy in the air and the feeling of belonging that urges students to get involved.
None of this is accidental. We’re dedicated to providing students with genuine community. Not the kind you scroll through, but the kind you walk alongside. The kind that laughs with you, prays with you, and calls you to be more than you thought you could be. The facilities are excellent, and the life within is extraordinary.
Unmatched Cost: Affordability for Today
In today’s educational landscape, students and their families brace themselves for years of debt. A report from the Education Data Initiative revealed that the national average annual cost of tuition, room and board at an in-state public university is $35,248, while the average federal student loan debt per borrower in the United States is approximately $38,375. Many graduates spend more than 20 years repaying those loans.[5]
But at PCC, we believe a quality Christian education should be within reach. The average student pays just over $15,000 for tuition, fees, and room and board, thanks to institutional underwriting. The Work Assistance Program enables students to earn up to $8,400 annually. Scholarships and the Fourth-Year Tuition-Free program further reduce financial burdens.
At a time when student loan debt burdens much of America, PCC offers families peace of mind and a clear pathway forward. We are committed to equipping students for life and ministry and removing unnecessary financial burdens in the process. And the results are clear—approximately 79% of PCC students graduate debt-free.[6]
The Legacy That Points Forward
The PCC Promise—academic excellence, biblical worldview, and incredible experience at an unmatched cost—isn’t flashy, but it is firm. And the fruit is evident: graduates stepping into classrooms, pulpits, hospitals, and offices, confident in their preparation, committed to their calling, and rooted in their faith.
In a world that is constantly shifting, there is something reassuring about an institution that remembers who we are and remains steadfast in a mission that began so long ago.
[1] PCC alumni surveys, 2022–2024.
[2] Dr. George Barna, “American Worldview Inventory 2023 Release #1: Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change since the Start of the Pandemic,” Arizona Christian University (Arizona Christian University: Cultural Research Center, February 28, 2023): 1.
[3] Barna, “Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change since the Start of the Pandemic,” 2.
[4] Barna, “Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change since the Start of the Pandemic,” 2.
[5] Melanie Hanson, “Average Cost of College & Tuition” (EducationData.org, March 8, 2025),
https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college.
[6] PCC surveys, 2023–2025.