Emmaus University 
The information on this page was last updated 2/25/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Emmaus University is a 4-year private college that equips students for their future by providing them with a Christ-centered education, uncompromised Biblical teaching, and valuable professional degrees.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Emmaus University
2570 Asbury Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
Website: emmaus.edu
Phone: 563-588-8000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 362270695
CEO/President: Philip Boom
Chairman: Dr. Steven L. Leary
Board size: 16
Founder: R.E. Harlow
Ruling year: 1947
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1989
Purpose
Emmaus University will be flourishing, relevant, and accessible as a trusted name for transformational learning rooted in biblical truth.
In a context of academic excellence, the Emmaus Experience is characterized by:
Educational programs infused with biblical content
Meaningful relationships between faculty, staff, and students
An environment conducive to spiritual and personal growth
Mission statement
Our mission as a biblical higher education community is to glorify God by educating and equipping learners to impact the world for Christ through faithful and effective service in their ministries, professions, and communities.
Statement of faith
The teaching of Emmaus University is based on the following:
The Bible is inspired of God, inerrant in the original documents and of final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin and is sinlessly perfect. His sacrifice is substitutionary and representative. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father's right hand, where He now ministers as our Great High Priest. He will come to rapture His Church and subsequently return to reign over the earth.
Each member of the human race is fallen, sinful and lost, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of man. Redemption is wholly by the blood of Christ, and salvation is by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit indwells the believer who is thus empowered to live a godly life.
There will be resurrection of the saved and of the lost, of the saved unto eternal life, and of the lost unto eternal conscious judgment.
The Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. These believers are united to Him and to one another by the indwelling Spirit. The Church's calling, hope and destiny are heavenly, and its chief functions are to glorify God and to witness for Christ until His return.
Christ, the risen head of the Church, is the giver of spiritual gifts to all believers. Gifted individuals such as evangelists, pastors and teachers are responsible to Him for their service and are given "for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
There are two Christian ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism by immersion signifies that the believer, having died with Christ, is buried with Him in baptism and also is risen with Christ to walk in newness of life. The Lord's Supper is a memorial feast, instituted by the Lord Himself exclusively for His own.
Every true child of God possesses eternal life and being justified, sanctified and sealed with the Holy Spirit, is safe and secure for all eternity.
The personal imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to translate His Church will be followed by the Tribulation and the inauguration of Christ's reign over the earth; He will then deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father that the Triune God may be all in all.
The teaching of Emmaus University follows the historic, evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures, which has in general, been accepted by the Christian church since its inception. It recognizes no sectarian barriers and seeks to declare the whole counsel of God without over-stressing any single line of truth.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 245 of 1118 | 21 of 127 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 275 of 1119 | 33 of 127 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 593 of 1119 | 71 of 127 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 274 of 1118 | 28 of 127 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 10% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 16% | 31% | 44% | 43% | 47% | 40% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 84% | 69% | 56% | 57% | 53% | 60% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 84% | 84% | 85% | 85% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 117% | 94% | 96% | 91% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 98% | 78% | 81% | 78% | 83% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | -17% | 6% | 4% | 9% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | -12% | 5% | 3% | 7% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 0.71 | 0.66 | 0.65 | 0.59 | 0.64 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 3.45 | 3.09 | 3.55 | 3.55 | 3.48 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 2.44 | 2.04 | 2.30 | 2.11 | 2.24 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.92 | 5.76 | 9.63 | 10.11 | 7.47 | 11.92 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.17 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.13 | 0.08 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.38 | 4.07 | 5.26 | 4.70 | 4.93 | 4.90 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 16% | 13% | 13% | 18% | 20% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 10% | 13% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 120% | 131% | 134% | 139% | 125% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $319,170 | $312,422 | $407,951 | $483,331 | $332,142 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,480,353 | $1,714,983 | $484,448 | $308,546 | $591,318 |
| Short-term investments | $1,706,551 | $2,074,457 | $2,421,586 | $2,849,064 | $2,366,420 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $3,506,074 | $4,101,862 | $3,313,985 | $3,640,941 | $3,289,880 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $4,981,594 | $4,698,247 | $4,780,836 | $4,764,474 | $4,615,984 |
| Other long-term assets | $3,620,953 | $3,861,225 | $3,681,113 | $4,527,524 | $3,546,209 |
| Total long-term assets | $8,602,547 | $8,559,472 | $8,461,949 | $9,291,998 | $8,162,193 |
| Total assets | $12,108,621 | $12,661,334 | $11,775,934 | $12,932,939 | $11,452,073 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $535,089 | $295,081 | $201,829 | $287,992 | $124,487 |
| Other current liabilities | $74,031 | $131,030 | $125,980 | $199,609 | $151,423 |
| Total current liabilities | $609,120 | $426,111 | $327,809 | $487,601 | $275,910 |
| Debt | $993,284 | $897,207 | $904,006 | $1,286,761 | $1,516,748 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $294,480 | $321,036 | $327,218 | $504,459 | $455,086 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,287,764 | $1,218,243 | $1,231,224 | $1,791,220 | $1,971,834 |
| Total liabilities | $1,896,884 | $1,644,354 | $1,559,033 | $2,278,821 | $2,247,744 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $4,935,131 | $4,906,131 | $4,435,556 | $4,316,344 | $3,936,964 |
| With donor restrictions | $5,276,606 | $6,110,849 | $5,781,345 | $6,337,774 | $5,267,365 |
| Net assets | $10,211,737 | $11,016,980 | $10,216,901 | $10,654,118 | $9,204,329 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $2,257,949 | $3,962,699 | $3,402,864 | $3,919,389 | $3,056,920 |
| Program service revenue | $4,820,383 | $4,746,025 | $4,295,478 | $4,006,844 | $4,452,048 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $165,953 | $176,185 | $52,131 | $389,193 | $73,114 |
| Other revenue | $37,971 | $54,545 | $206,898 | $71,230 | $86,404 |
| Total other revenue | $5,024,307 | $4,976,755 | $4,554,507 | $4,467,267 | $4,611,566 |
| Total revenue | $7,282,256 | $8,939,454 | $7,957,371 | $8,386,656 | $7,668,486 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $7,147,079 | $7,007,004 | $6,455,076 | $6,531,130 | $6,359,483 |
| Management and general | $1,178,412 | $1,097,483 | $879,687 | $847,122 | $840,399 |
| Fundraising | $214,613 | $274,571 | $282,987 | $291,324 | $182,889 |
| Total expenses | $8,540,104 | $8,379,058 | $7,617,750 | $7,669,576 | $7,382,771 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($1,257,848) | $560,396 | $339,621 | $717,080 | $285,715 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($1,257,848) | $560,396 | $339,621 | $717,080 | $285,715 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Philip Boom | President | $116,820 |
| Joseph Abdy | Vice President for Admin/Finance | $100,189 |
| Israel Chavez | Vice President of Student Life | $90,805 |
| Tom Kook | Vice President of Enrollment/Mktg | $89,460 |
| Raju Kunjummen | Vice President for Academic Affairs | $77,710 |
| Chad Cunningham | Vice President of Advancement | $77,048 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/25/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
In 1938 a young missionary in Belgian Congo became burdened by the need for a school in North America where young people could gather for intensive study of the Bible in a context where the principles of New Testament Christianity could be taught without compromise. Shortly thereafter, R.E. Harlow left his Congo mission station and returned to Toronto. In collaboration with two friends, John Smart and C. Ernest Tatham, he undertook the work of organizing Emmaus Bible School. The growth of the school's ministry is indicative of the divine blessing it has enjoyed.
The school's name appears just once in the Bible in Luke 24:13. Although Emmaus was a very small village, the events that occurred near there make its name one to be remembered. Three days after the death of the Lord Jesus, two of His disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were depressed that their Master had been killed because they were hoping it was He who was going to redeem Israel. The Lord joined them in their walk, and though they didn't recognize Him, He talked to them about His resurrection, and showed them in all the Scripture "the things concerning Himself." These disciples, later reporting the incident to other disciples, recounted with joy,
Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)
This incident explains the use of the name Emmaus. It expresses the purpose of the college: a place where young men and women come to have the Scriptures opened to them, where they learn "the things concerning Himself."
1941
Evening school classes commence in Central Hall, Toronto, Canada, under the leadership of the school founders, R.E. Harlow, John Smart, and C. Earnest Tatham.
1942
The correspondence school is established to meet a need for systematic Bible study materials for men and women serving in the military during World War II.
1945
Resident school classes begin in Central Hall, Toronto.
1946
Increased enrollment necessitates the purchase of a building at 81 Harcourt Avenue, Toronto.
1947
Growing enrollments lead to the establishment of a campus on Normal Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The school offers a one-year Biblical Studies program.
1949
The Chicago, Normal Avenue campus begins to offer an upper level, senior division of studies.
1953
To accommodate continuing growth, the school acquires a former YMCA building at 156 N. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois. Co-founder R. E. Harlow is named Principal of Emmaus Bible School.
1954
The Toronto and Chicago campuses merge. All classes are now offered at the Oak Park campus.
1956
Emmaus Bible School becomes a member of the Evangelical Training Association (ETA).
1959
William McDonald becomes the second President of Emmaus Bible School.
1960
The school purchases a 20-unit apartment building in close proximity to the Oak Park campus to house additional resident students.
1965
John Smart, one of the three founders, assumes the presidency of Emmaus.
1966
Property adjacent to the Oak Park Avenue building is purchased for future expansion. The school adds a missions program to the curriculum.
1967
The Groveland Apartment building provides housing for male resident students.
1968
Construction of a new faculty wing is completed.
1972
Emmaus Bible School hosts its first Missionary Emphasis Week focused on overseas missions.
1974
Renovation of the Oak Park building results in the addition of an 1800-square-foot student center.
1976
Daniel H. Smith is inaugurated as the fourth President of Emmaus Bible School.
1979
Emmaus Bible School hosts its first Home Worker's Week focused on ministries in North America.
1983
The school hosts its first Christian Ministries Seminar combining the Missionary Emphasis Week and Home Worker's Week into a program highlighting avenues for service both at home and abroad. The board approves the purchase of the former Aquinas Institute of Theology campus in Dubuque, Iowa.
1984
Emmaus Bible School becomes Emmaus Bible College and relocates to its new 17-acre campus in Dubuque, Iowa
1985
Emmaus offers college-level evening courses in the Dubuque area.
1986
Emmaus receives accreditation from the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) and begins to grant bachelor degrees. The Trust Services department is established to assist the Lord's people with their estate planning and financial stewardship needs.
1989
The College purchases adjacent land for a future athletic field.
1991
Emmaus celebrates its 50th anniversary. Work on the new athletic field is completed.
1992
The college establishes the Emmaus Archives to preserve the unique history of Emmaus Bible College.
1993
Emmaus joins the National Christian College Athletic Association and officially begins competing in men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level.
1994
Construction of the Pollard Field House is completed. Emmaus is approved by the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges to offer a degree in Elementary Teacher Education.
1996
Emmaus marks 50 years of commencement exercises and awards degrees to the first graduates from the Elementary Education program.
1997
The State of Iowa Department of Education approves the Elementary Education program for teacher licensure. The Robbie Pile Dining Hall is dedicated.
1998
Three new double majors are added to the academic offerings: Biblical Studies/Intercultural Studies, Biblical
Studies/Youth Ministries, and Biblical Studies/Computer Systems Management.
1999
The Emmaus Ministry Resources project is instituted in partnership with Stewards Ministries.
2000
Kenneth A. Daughters is inaugurated as the fifth President of Emmaus Bible College. Dr. Daniel Smith is appointed the first Chancellor. Daniel H. Smith Hall opens in October to house maintenance shops, business offices, the computer classroom and lab, and three dormitory floors.
2001
The first issue of Journey magazine is published in the spring, followed by the first Iron Sharpens Iron conference in May. Emmaus Trust Services becomes Believers Stewardship Services.
2001
Emmaus celebrates its 60th anniversary.
2002
Emmaus Correspondence School becomes ECS Ministries.
2003
The college community engages in a comprehensive institutional self-evaluation in preparation for an accreditation team visit from the Higher Learning Commission.
2004
Emmaus Bible College achieves candidate status with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
2005
A new double major in Biblical Studies/Music Ministry is added to the academic offerings. Work is completed on a new Science Lab.
2006
Emmaus Bible College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and becomes a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college also receives reaffirmation of accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and reaffirmation of State of Iowa approval of the Elementary Education program for teacher licensure.
2007
Two new programs in Biblical Studies/Nursing and Biblical Studies/Business Administration are offered in cooperation with Northeast Iowa Community College.
2008
Emmaus Bible College is recognized for "the extraordinary and exemplary community service contributions of its students, faculty, and staff in meeting community and national needs" by The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
2009
Two new double majors are added to the academic offerings: Biblical Studies/Business Administration and Biblical Studies/Counseling Psychology. Men's soccer and women's volleyball are added as intercollegiate sports. The David A. Glock auditorium is dedicated. The college celebrates 25 years in Dubuque, Iowa.
2011
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools reaffirms regional accreditation for Emmaus Bible College until 2020-2021.
2012
The State of Iowa reaffirms approval of the Elementary Education program for teacher licensure and approves Secondary Education programs in business, psychology, and world history. A Camp Ministries major, offered in cooperation with Camp Forest Springs (WI), and an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies are added to the academic program offerings.
2013
Mr. Philip Boom is inaugurated as the sixth president of Emmaus Bible College.
2014
Several new programs are added to the academic offerings: an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education, a Secondary Education Math endorsement, and minors in Archaeology and Spanish Language.
2015
Emmaus Bible College begins offering online courses through Emmaus Distance Learning (EDL).
2016
Emmaus Bible College continues to expand academic offerings with the addition of new programs including majors in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, and Cross-Cultural Nursing, a concentration in Pre-Professional Health Sciences, and a Continuing Education Certificate in TESOL.
2019
Emmaus Bible College develops new concurrent enrollment programs with Northeast Iowa Community University (Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Paramedic, Radiology Technology, and Respiratory Care). The College also developed a 3 + 1 transfer program with the University of Dubuque.
2020
The College continued expansion of academic options with the addition of the Certificate in Missions. The State of Iowa renewed full approval of the teacher preparation programs offered by Emmaus Bible College on March 26, 2020.
2021
Emmaus Bible College is approved by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association for Biblical Higher Education to offer 100% online programs through Emmaus Global Campus (formerly Emmaus Distance Learning).
2024
Emmaus Bible College announces the launch of a Master's degree in Bible and Ministry through Emmaus Global Campus. This new degree program is followed by a rebrand to Emmaus University.