Carolina University: A Legacy of Faith and Transformation in Higher Education

Carolina University (CU), formerly Piedmont International University (PIU), stands as a private Christian university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The university's motto, "Grace and Truth," reflects its commitment to providing a Christ-centered education. CU offers a range of residential and online programs, including dual enrollment, undergraduate, and graduate degrees.

A Historical Overview

Founded in 1945 as Piedmont Bible Institute by Charles H. Stevens, CU's journey has been marked by growth, expansion, and a series of strategic mergers. Stevens, the pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, established the institute to serve returning war veterans seeking theological education for roles as pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders.

In 1948, the institute broadened its scope, adding a Bible college to its offerings. Piedmont Bible College achieved accreditation from the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC), now known as The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), in 1956.

The institution continued to evolve, introducing a graduate program in 1994 and joining the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) the following year. The mid-2010s marked a period of significant expansion, with multiple institutions merging into Piedmont.

In a pivotal decision on June 24, 2020, the Piedmont International University Board of Trustees voted to rename the university Carolina University. Later, in July 2024, Hanesbrands announced plans to relocate its headquarters to downtown Winston-Salem's Park Building, with Carolina University taking over the Oak Summit headquarters.

Strategic Mergers: A Story of Collaboration

Carolina University's story is one of collaboration, bringing together seven Christian colleges and seminaries. These mergers have not only preserved the legacies of these institutions but have also created a dynamic university poised for growth. The university's history has positioned the institution to become innovative and transformational within the nation's higher education sector. CU is a story of innovation, inspiration, and collaboration with an emerging synergy that personifies a phrase often attributed to Aristotle: The CU whole is greater than the sum of the schools that merged. The mergers gave dignity and name continuation to schools that otherwise would have closed.

Spurgeon Baptist Bible College (SBBC)

Spurgeon Baptist Bible College, established in Lakeland, Florida, in 1970, was the first institution to merge with CU in 2003. Founded to train preachers and missionaries, SBBC played a crucial role in launching CU's Spurgeon School of Online Education, which now supports the university's online programs. The college was able to acquire a beautiful 33 acre campus in Mulberry, FL in April, 1972. A key element of the merger was the designation of a substantial portion of the proceeds of the sale to be used to fund CU’s investment in IT personnel and technology to launch the Spurgeon School of Online Education that now drives and supports virtually everything we do and touches every student who enrolls at CU.

Atlantic Baptist Bible College (ABBC)

Atlantic Baptist Bible College, located in Chester, Virginia, merged with CU in 2008. Chartered in 1961 as Virginia Bible College and adopting the ABBC name in 1972, the college focused on preparing men and women for effective ministry. The college was created as a place for men and women to prepare for effective ministry. Pastors and teachers intentionally invested in the students with their time and served as mentors. To honor the ABBC legacy, funds from the sale of the Chester campus were designated for significant scholarships. The Atlantic Heritage Scholarship was established and provides one third of tuition for all Atlantic alumni and their children and grandchildren when they continue their education at Carolina University.

Tennessee Temple University (TTU)

Tennessee Temple University, founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1946, merged with CU in 2015. TTU's mission was to provide Christ-centered higher education that transforms lives for the glory of God, and tens of thousands of inspired young people enrolled to prepare for lives that would make a difference. TTU’s flagship School of Leadership was a key component of the merger and continues to thrive as the John Wesley School of Leadership at CU. Several other TTU programs became CU programs including the award-winning Sign Language Interpretation degree available online or on-campus. To honor the outstanding TTU legacy, Carolina University established the Tennessee Temple Heritage Scholarship which offers all Tennessee Temple alumni and their families generous scholarships when they continue education at Carolina University.

Temple Baptist Seminary (TBS)

Temple Baptist Seminary also merged with CU in 2015 as part of the TTU merger. However, for most of their history, TTU and TBS were separate legal entities even though they shared a close partnership.

Read also: Impact of Piedmont Graduates

Southeastern Bible College (SEBC)

Southeastern Bible College, located in Birmingham, Alabama, merged with CU in 2017. From that dream and diligent work came Southeastern Bible College which experienced over 80 years of rich history and produced thousands of graduates who have had significant impact on all corners of the world. To honor the outstanding SEBC legacy, Carolina University established the Southeastern Heritage Scholarship which offers all SEBC alumni and their families generous scholarships when they continue education at Carolina University.

John Wesley University (JWU)

John Wesley University, merged with CU in 2018. JWU was recognized as the oldest undergraduate, theological education institution in North Carolina. A key component of the merger was JWU’s flagship School of Business, which attracted a major CU donor with a naming opportunity. The resulting Patterson School of Business was named in memory of Robert L. Patterson, through the generosity of Trish Wilson, a former CU Trustee and long-time supporter. The School is now growing and thriving at CU. The School of Leadership was renamed the John Wesley School of Leadership to honor JWU and the man they had honored in their name, John Wesley. To honor the outstanding JWU legacy, Carolina University established the John Wesley Heritage Scholarship which offers all JWU alumni and their families generous scholarships when they continue education at Carolina University.

Academics

Carolina University offers a diverse range of academic programs across its various schools:

School of Arts and Sciences: This school offers undergraduate programs in areas such as Public Health, Esports, Information Systems, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Patterson School of Business: The Patterson School of Business offers both undergraduate and graduate business programs, including the BBA and MBA.
Moore School of Education: The Moore School of Education provides undergraduate and graduate programs, including the BS in Deaf Studies, the BS in Elementary Education, and the Master of Education.
John Wesley School of Leadership: Named after John Wesley University, this school offers graduate leadership programs, including the M.A. in Leadership and the Ph.D.

Athletics

The Carolina University Bruins field 11 intercollegiate sports teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, men's volleyball, and track and field. The university's athletic department has expanded in recent years, growing from three sports in 2017 to nine in two years. The university also moved the athletics department from NCCAA Division II to the Division I level and added athletic scholarship opportunities.

Rankings and Recognition

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Piedmont University is ranked No. #62 in Regional Universities South. It's also ranked No. #25 in Best Value Schools.

Read also: Piedmont Tech Fees

Admissions and Financial Aid

Piedmont University accepts the Common Application. The school's tuition and fees are $32,640. Seventy-three percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $18,732. The four-year graduation rate is 37%.

Undergraduate students must complete an online application. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher as well as ACT scores of at least 17 or SAT scores of at least 920. Students must provide official high school transcripts as well as official transcripts from all college and universities attended.

Graduate students must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in order to apply. Students must complete an application and provide an autobiographical essay. The essay must explain why the student wants to enter the particular program and include Christian experience, relevant work or ministry experience as well as personal and professional interests. Doctor of Ministry candidates must also include a statement of call to ministry. The essay should be approximately 500 words.

Full-time undergraduate tuition is $325 per credit hour and part-time tuition is $340 per credit hour. Master's level graduate programs are $340 per credit hour while Ph.D. courses are $460 per credit hour and D.Min.

Each year, Piedmont International University awards approximately $1 million in tuition grants and scholarships. Over 96 percent of the students enrolled at Piedmont receive some type of financial assistance. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for assistance.

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