Providence has served students faithfully for 20 years, educating them from a Reformed Christian, liberal arts perspective. God has used our educational program to change student lives and impact communities and the world for God’s glory. We have remained faithful to our original mission to firmly ground students in biblical truth, thoroughly educate them in the liberal arts, and equip them to become fully engaged in their churches, their communities, and the world for the glory of God.

Dear Providence community,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today. Facing declining enrollments, rising operational costs, heightened accreditation expectations, and the loss of Federal funds, the board of trustees, on February 7, 2026, voted to close Providence Christian College at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

We are overwhelmingly thankful to our supporters who have faithfully and generously given to the college over the years, ensuring that our students received an excellent mission-aligned education. However, the challenges of ongoing low enrollment coupled with the high expense of operating a college in Southern California were insurmountable factors. Being mindful of stewarding God’s resources well and after exhausting a number of different options to decrease operational expenses, recruit additional students, and even change the campus location, the board felt that this was the only option remaining.

Providence has served students faithfully for 20 years, educating them from a Reformed Christian, liberal arts perspective. God has used our educational program to change student lives and impact communities and the world for God’s glory. We have remained faithful to our original mission to firmly ground students in biblical truth, thoroughly educate them in the liberal arts, and equip them to become fully engaged in their churches, their communities, and the world for the glory of God.

While this is a difficult decision, we can look back fondly and see how God has used Providence to be a blessing to our students, families, staff, and faculty. God has provided in immeasurable ways through faithful supporters, board members, families, churches, alumni, and students who have walked this journey with us.

The board has chosen to make this decision in February to provide time to close well. Caring for our students and staff is paramount. Over half of our full-time students are scheduled to graduate in May, and we are committed to supporting our underclassmen in finding right-fit colleges for them to finish their degrees. Finally, a decision now allows our staff and faculty the time to uncover where God will use them next. Their love and care for our students cannot be overstated. What a blessing that they have been to our college, and we know that God will continue to use them for His glory.

We have begun the process of closing operations which includes notifying our accrediting body, setting up teach-out agreements with local Christian colleges and sister institutions, working with our landlords and vendors to honorably end those contracts, and communicating to our constituents. On the college’s website, over the next few days, you will find further information about this decision and next steps.

I want to end by pointing us back to our beginning. Over 20 years ago, our founders selected “Providence” as our name because they believed deeply in God’s providential care. This care is beautifully reflected in the Heidelberg Catechism. Because of our belief in God’s Providence … “We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and with a view to the future, we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that [nothing] can separate us from his love.”

It is in that confidence that we know God will be with us as we process this difficult news and look to the future.

In Him who gives us strength,

Steven B. Kortenhoeven, Ed.D.
President