Corban University 
The information on this page was last updated 11/25/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Corban is a private Christian university in Salem, Oregon, USA, offering more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs of study, both on campus and online. Established in 1935, the University has a rich history of educating Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.
Expert faculty equip students to make an eternal difference as Christ-followers in their careers as business leaders, educators, medical professionals, ministry leaders, and more. Students thrive in Corban's gospel-centered community as they pursue academic excellence and Christian maturity.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Corban University
5000 Deer Park Dr SE
Salem, OR 97317
Website: corban.edu
Phone: 503-581-8600
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 941312349
CEO/President: Dr. John Mark Yeats
Chairman: Rod Hoff
Board size: 14
Founder: Leland B. Entrekin and Roy O. Bancroft
Ruling year: 1956
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Corban's goal is to equip men and women who will bring CHARACTER to their communities and COMPETENCE to their careers, all to the glory of CHRIST.
At Corban, who our students become is just as important as what they choose to do. One of our greatest goals for students is that they would grow in godly character. Corban is committed to integrating God's Word into every major, program, and course, so that students are trained to view their vocation through the lens of a biblical worldview and approach their careers with a biblical sense of ethics, integrity, and decision-making.
In addition to character, we strive to equip our students with competence. Hands-on experiences, internships, global opportunities, and a commitment to integrating technology and innovation into every program serve to prepare students for success in their chosen careers. We want our students to graduate with the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in the workplace and demonstrate competence as servant-leaders in their careers, families, and churches.
Finally, our vision for all students is that they would grow in Christ. Student programs such as Chapel, REACH (community service), mentoring by staff and faculty, and residence life each serve to create an environment for students to be sharpened and challenged in their faith. Every staff and faculty member is a professed believer in Jesus Christ, so that students are not only learning Christian principles but are encouraged to live them out in a unique Christian community. Our hope is that by the time our students graduate, Christ would be the foundation for every aspect of their lives.
Mission statement
Corban's mission is to educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.
To foster a transformative learning culture where a sustainable biblical worldview takes shape.
To build a vibrant Christian community that promotes worship, creative expression, and activities reflecting God's character.
To cultivate a life of stewardship and service toward God, humanity, and creation.
Statement of faith
We believe in God the Father: an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humanity, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. We believe God's knowledge is exhaustive; that He fully knows the past, present, and future independent of human decisions and actions. The Father does everything in accordance with His perfect will, though His sovereignty neither eliminates nor minimizes our personal responsibility.
We believe the sixty-six canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the divinely inspired, infallible Word of God, without error in the original manuscripts, and God's complete, written revelation to humankind. The Bible is sufficient and trustworthy for life, faith, conduct, and practice, and is the supreme and final authority in all matters to which it speaks. We further believe there is but one true interpretation of Scripture, although there may be several applications. The true meaning lies in the text and is that which the divinely-guided author willed to convey. It is recoverable through careful application of a literal (grammatical, historical, contextual) method of interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and in the community of Christ. The Holy Spirit illumines the text, enabling the reader to embrace the significance of what God has communicated, and to see the glory of Christ in the Word of God.
We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of all things, eternally divine existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; we believe that these are equal in every distinct perfection and they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God's eternal Son. God the Son has precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We believe further that He is not only true God, but true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. We also believe in His sinless life, His substitutionary atonement, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven, His priestly intercession on behalf of His people, and His personal, visible return from heaven.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, His personality and His work in regeneration, sanctification, and preservation. His ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to implement Christ's work of redeeming the lost, and to empower the believer for godly living and service. We believe the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers as He wills for the common good. No gift signifies His baptism or filling, nor does any gift provide authoritative revelation beyond what has already been revealed in the Holy Scriptures. Life in the Spirit includes trials and does not guarantee physical health, material wealth, nor confirming outward signs.
We believe God originally created persons, male and female, in the image of God and free from sin. We believe all people are sinners by nature and choice and are spiritually dead. We also believe that those who repent of sin and trust Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We further believe that human life is precious and should be protected from beginning, at fertilization, until death.
We believe in salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We further believe that this salvation is based upon the sovereign grace of God, was purchased by Jesus Christ on the cross, is eternally secured by the Holy Spirit, and is received by faith, apart from any human merit, works, or ritual. We further believe salvation results in righteous living, good works, and proper social concern.
We believe God designed marriage to be a lifelong monogamous covenant relationship between one man and one woman. Marriage so defined is the only permissible context for any intimate sexual expression and is the foundation for human family. We affirm that gender is determined by our biological sex. God who made male and female in His image graciously provides our sexual identity at our conception.
We believe that the Church is the spiritual body of which Christ is the head. We believe that the true Church is composed of all persons who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We believe that this body expresses itself in local assemblies whose members have been immersed upon a credible confession of faith and have associated themselves for worship, for instruction, for evangelism, and for service. We believe the ordinances of the local church are believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper. We also believe in the interdependence of local churches and the mutual submission of believers to each other in love.
We believe that each local church is self-governing in function and must be free from interference by any ecclesiastical or political authority. We further believe that every human being is directly responsible to God in matters of faith and life and that each one should be free to worship God according to the dictates of conscience.
We believe that the supreme task of believers is to glorify God in their life and that their conduct should be blameless before the world. We further believe that they should be faithful stewards of their possessions and that they should seek to realize for themselves the full stature of maturity in Christ.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the saved and lost, the eternal existence of all people either in heaven or hell, in divine judgment, rewards, and punishments.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 303 of 1107 | 28 of 127 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 549 of 1108 | 62 of 127 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 601 of 1108 | 69 of 127 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 88 of 1107 | 5 of 127 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 13% | 12% | 16% | 29% | 88% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 18% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 10% | 4% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 82% | 88% | 87% | 88% | 90% | 96% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 83% | 84% | 83% | 84% | 85% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 96% | 97% | 92% | 89% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 80% | 82% | 77% | 75% | 81% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 4% | 3% | 8% | 11% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 8% | 6% | 19% | 34% | 19% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 15% | 14% | 15% | 13% | 12% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.52 | 1.38 | 1.49 | 1.44 | 1.59 | 1.79 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.58 | 2.77 | 3.05 | 2.39 | 3.04 | 5.90 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.41 | 3.82 | 4.53 | 3.45 | 4.84 | 10.56 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.93 | 15.07 | 3.15 | 3.38 | 3.09 | 1.19 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.07 | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.84 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.23 | 2.94 | 1.81 | 2.45 | 1.68 | 0.18 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 29% | 36% | 38% | 46% | 59% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 26% | 25% | 25% | 35% | 45% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 150% | 51% | 43% | 43% | 34% | 23% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $3,993,840 | $2,753,598 | $3,904,677 | $6,444,552 | $2,572,077 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $4,252,811 | $989,838 | $2,137,078 | $1,375,328 | $961,009 |
| Short-term investments | $868,836 | $4,651,096 | $4,921,739 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $9,115,487 | $8,394,532 | $10,963,494 | $7,819,880 | $3,533,086 |
| Long-term investments | $1,440 | $523,757 | $595,908 | $668,370 | $745,657 |
| Fixed assets | $15,702,738 | $16,456,167 | $13,288,591 | $13,778,265 | $14,752,728 |
| Other long-term assets | $446,863 | $200,000 | $1,380,000 | $1,520,000 | $1,808,247 |
| Total long-term assets | $16,151,041 | $17,179,924 | $15,264,499 | $15,966,635 | $17,306,632 |
| Total assets | $25,266,528 | $25,574,456 | $26,227,993 | $23,786,515 | $20,839,718 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $404,986 | $2,040,216 | $2,011,546 | $1,763,838 | $1,961,140 |
| Other current liabilities | $199,975 | $624,352 | $1,236,519 | $770,934 | $1,012,705 |
| Total current liabilities | $604,961 | $2,664,568 | $3,248,065 | $2,534,772 | $2,973,845 |
| Debt | $6,659,379 | $6,415,301 | $6,621,424 | $8,341,728 | $9,406,813 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $116,590 | $91,781 | $91,937 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $6,775,969 | $6,507,082 | $6,713,361 | $8,341,728 | $9,406,813 |
| Total liabilities | $7,380,930 | $9,171,650 | $9,961,426 | $10,876,500 | $12,380,658 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $16,167,022 | $14,311,431 | $10,778,495 | $9,842,637 | $5,888,539 |
| With donor restrictions | $1,718,576 | $2,091,375 | $5,488,072 | $3,067,378 | $2,570,521 |
| Net assets | $17,885,598 | $16,402,806 | $16,266,567 | $12,910,015 | $8,459,060 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $4,383,163 | $5,217,233 | $5,044,268 | $4,376,067 | $1,538,576 |
| Program service revenue | $31,461,314 | $33,464,350 | $35,460,954 | $37,572,430 | $36,927,521 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $258,387 | $185,692 | $343,741 | $200,978 | $251,256 |
| Other revenue | $165,812 | $153,003 | $106,867 | $148,800 | $170,953 |
| Total other revenue | $31,885,513 | $33,803,045 | $35,911,562 | $37,922,208 | $37,349,730 |
| Total revenue | $36,268,676 | $39,020,278 | $40,955,830 | $42,298,275 | $38,888,306 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $28,865,355 | $31,904,550 | $31,354,399 | $31,777,946 | $31,538,512 |
| Management and general | $5,356,676 | $5,486,683 | $5,625,278 | $4,811,734 | $4,420,323 |
| Fundraising | $563,853 | $635,407 | $831,024 | $1,257,640 | $1,347,954 |
| Total expenses | $34,785,884 | $38,026,640 | $37,810,701 | $37,847,320 | $37,306,789 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,482,792 | $993,638 | $3,145,129 | $4,450,955 | $1,581,517 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $1,482,792 | $993,638 | $3,145,129 | $4,450,955 | $1,581,517 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Sheldon Nord | Former President | $336,034 |
| Tom Cornman | Provost | $198,929 |
| Christopher Vetter (Part Year) | Interim Provost | $140,337 |
| Bryce Bernard | Professor of Business | $137,922 |
| Shannon Johnson | VP for Advancement | $133,663 |
| Patricia Shelton | VP for Business and CFO | $108,713 |
| Eric Straw | Professor of Business | $105,062 |
| Brian Jaworski | VP for Student Life | $84,342 |
| Jordan Lindsey | Assoc VP for Enrollment and Marketing | $81,323 |
| Mechelle Garrett | Assoc Provost for Community Belonging | $49,074 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2023
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 11/25/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Corban's history stretches back to 1935 when it began as a small Bible institute in Phoenix, Arizona. You'll notice, as you dive into Corban's story, that the school has been called by several different names. Each name marks a significant season in Corban's history and helps illustrate the transitions and periods of growth the school experienced to become the University it is today.
But the common thread in each of the school's iterations has been a commitment to the authority of Scripture and a foundation on the person of Jesus Christ. Corban's name and location may have changed, but its roots haven't. Today, the school is just as committed to discipling Christians and preparing them for a lifetime of impact as it was in 1935.
Beginnings
In the growing city of Phoenix, Arizona, Evangelist Leland B. Entrekin and Pastor Roy O. Bancroft founded Phoenix Bible Institute (PBI) in 1935. Bancroft carried the work into 1943, and at that time a resolution was passed to hand over the Institute to the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, who were better equipped to provide support for the school.
In the fall term of 1943, 30 students had applied for enrollment. By 1946 the decision was made to move the school to Oakland, California.
A New Home, A New Era
At a meeting in April 1946, a motion was made for purchase of the property of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Oakland, California, for the sum of $37,500.
A new name was chosen for the school: Western Baptist Bible College. By 1954 enrollment had reached 94. The college remained at the Oakland site for ten years.
The Maturing Years
The "El Cerrito property," as it was first called, caught the attention of the Board. Its six acres and facilities just north of Oakland were said to be available for $150,000. An offer was made, and by the fall of 1956 classes began on the El Cerrito, California campus for 103 students.
In 1957-58, with enrollment at 128, the largest department continued to be missions, while the second largest was the pastoral department. The library collection continued to grow to 10,000 volumes.
On to Oregon
On July 15, 1969, administrators used $5,000 from the President's Club as a down payment for the new 100-acre campus in Salem, Oregon. (The down payment figure was adopted as the school's new address: 5000 Deer Park Drive.) The sale was personally signed by then Governor Tom McCall.
In October, several of the buildings on the new campus were named for John Schimmel, Herbert Farrar, Carrel and Fern Aagard and Dr. H.O. Van Gilder, laying the foundation for decades of growth, building, and expansion.
Investing in the Future
Corban's sixth president, Thomas Younger, brought to the school a passion for equipping Christian leaders for professional vocations. He helped institute the school's education and business programs, two of Corban's mainstays today. Younger believed that the world desperately needed educators, healthcare professionals, business leaders, and ministry leaders whose daily lives are founded in the Word of God.
This belief, ironically, caused some turmoil when Dr. Younger suggested removing the word "Bible" from the school's name. But by becoming "Western Baptist College," the school didn't lose any of its biblical heritage; rather, the name change highlighted the importance of biblical training for men and women in all vocations. Every calling is a sacred calling, the name "Western Baptist College" suggested, and pastors and missionaries weren't the only ones who could make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.
Becoming Corban
In 2005, Corban's ninth president, Dr. Reno Hoff, made the move to change the school's name to Corban College. He recognized that by affiliating with the Baptist denomination, the college was potentially limiting its reach. A non-denominational name would allow the school to reach all Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching evangelical churches, and thus expand its impact for Jesus Christ. "Corban," a biblical word meaning "a gift dedicated to God," better reflected the mission of the school: "To educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ."
Dr. John Mark Yeats has been selected to be the University's 11th president, beginning June 1, 2023. Corban is poised to enter a new season of its history under the leadership of Dr. Yeats with a continued passion for Christian education and firm commitment to Corban's mission: "To educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ."