Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, United States • Founded 1941
Overview
Established in 1941, the Cornerstone University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Grand Rapids (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Michigan.
Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Cornerstone University (CU) is a very small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Interdenominational religion. Cornerstone University (CU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 83-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 90-99% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
CU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Planning a visit to Cornerstone University or following up with admissions? Location and contact details are listed below. Admissions email typically replies within 5–10 business days during peak season.
Academic Details
Cornerstone University's key academic numbers — student body size, faculty composition, and accreditation context. Numbers reflect the most recent figures published by the institution and recognised bodies.
Academic Structures
How Cornerstone University structures its academic side — by faculty, school, and unit — is detailed below. The structure affects everything from credit transfer to cross-faculty modules.
Unit 9 items
- Bible, Religion and Ministry Division
- Business Division
- Communication and Media Division
- Humanities Division
- Interdisciplinary Studies Division
- Kinesiology, Science and Mathematics Division
- Music Division
- Social Science Division
- Teacher Education Division
Programs Offered
Below are Cornerstone University's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.
Bachelor's Degree
43 programmes
Cornerstone University lists 43 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Music Music
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Social Work Social Work
Economics Economics
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
International Business International Business
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
History History
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Journalism Journalism
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Publishing Publishing
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Engineering, General General Engineering
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs Agriculture
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Mathematics Mathematics
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Bible/Biblical Studies Religious Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
14 programmes
Explore 14 programmes of postgraduate study at Cornerstone University. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.
Religious Education Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Bible/Biblical Studies Religious Studies
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
International Business International Business
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
1 programme
Browse 1 programme of research-degree study at Cornerstone University. Each culminates in a thesis defended before examiners as an original scholarly contribution.
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
5 programmes
This group collects Cornerstone University's 5 programmes of certificates, diplomas, and foundation or associate programmes — practical entry points or stepping stones toward a degree.
Human Services, General Public Administration
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Cornerstone University
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Cornerstone University, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Cornerstone University runs 63 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to Cornerstone University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United States.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Cornerstone University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Lodge your application through the official website (www.cornerstone.edu). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (616) 949 5300. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cornerstone University
Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone University, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
How old is Cornerstone University?
The institution opened in 1941 (approximately 85 years ago).
What city is Cornerstone University in?
Cornerstone University operates from Grand Rapids, United States.
Is Cornerstone University public or private?
Cornerstone University is a private institution.
How big is Cornerstone University's student body?
Cornerstone University serves approximately 1,000-1,999 students.
Does Cornerstone University have a religious affiliation?
Yes, Cornerstone University is affiliated with Christian-Interdenominational.
What is Cornerstone University's academic structure?
Cornerstone University is organised into 9 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Cornerstone University officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Higher Learning Commission.
What is Cornerstone University's official website?
The institution's website is www.cornerstone.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Top universities in the United States differ from flagship status: top is rankings-defined; flagship is often historically defined. The lists may overlap but are not identical.
Members of National Athletic Association (NAA)
National Athletic Association (NAA)-affiliated universities form a network of comparable institutions — Cornerstone University sits among them. Network membership often signals shared values around academic quality and student support.
Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Interdenominational
Religious holiday observance and academic-calendar alignment at Christian-Interdenominational universities typically reflect tradition rather than national norms. The peers below tend to follow Cornerstone University in this respect.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Students considering Cornerstone University often compare it against universities in the same region. Below are nearby institutions with comparable academic departments and student support structures, useful for cross-shortlisting.
Where Else to Study Religious Studies
For students considering Religious Studies, these the United States institutions deliver the discipline alongside Cornerstone University. Look beyond programme names to compare module content, assessment methods, and stated graduate outcomes.
Universities Often Compared with Cornerstone University
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending Cornerstone University often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.