Cost Calculator
Compare each path based on your unique situation to see which one aligns best.
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Design your Ascend enrollment for comparison (May pricing)
$Default: Liberty Online ($390/cr × 30 cr + $698 fees)
Student work scenario:
Overall comparison
Static snapshot of what's possible across each path. The values here don't change based on your inputs — they reflect program-level realities.
| Praxis | OneLife | Christian college | Ascend | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up front cost (year 1) | $12,000 | $26,900 | $35,488 | $13,500–$16,500Reflects the Certificate ($13.5K) to Premier ($16.5K) package range. |
| Total cost | $12,0001-year program. | $26,9009-month gap year (residential). | $141,9524 years × $35,488 (CCCU national average sticker). | $67,898–$76,898Range includes 3 years in the Certificate or Premier track, 30 credits per year, and a final fourth year online with Liberty University. |
| Expected time to employment | 6 mo – 1 yr placement at month 6 • apprenticeship through month 12 | n/a (gap year) | varies depends on school, major, & student | 6 mo – 3.5 yr opportunities from 6 months on. guarantee within 6 months of Ascend graduation. |
| Potential debt | NoneIf successfully placed in paid apprenticeship. | PossibleDepends on financing. | $36,800Average among borrowers at private nonprofit 4-year colleges. Sources: Education Data Initiative 2025-26 ($39,548); SoFi/EDI 2026 ($39,510); LendingTree class of 2024 ($34,420); Student Loan Professor 2025 ($33,800). ~61% of private nonprofit bachelor's students borrow. | $0The majority of Ascend students work part-to-full-time while in the program and do not have to take on debt to complete it. |
| Discipleship | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed path to employment | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Options for a degree | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Time-to-employment ranges shown only for paths with publicly verifiable program timelines. Christian college time-to-employment varies widely by school, major, and individual circumstances.
A note on Ascend's time-to-employment range
The "6 mo – 3.5 yr" range reflects two endpoints: Ascend places employment opportunities in front of students as early as 6 months into their first year, so some students begin earning during the program. On the other end, students who complete all 3 years and earn all 5 certificates are covered by the employment guarantee, which ensures a job offer within 6 months of graduation.
A note on less than 3 years in Ascend
A student doing 1 or 2 years of Ascend still benefits from work earnings — those reduce program cost dollar-for-dollar. What changes at less than 3 years is the employment guarantee, which only applies to students who complete all 3 years and earn all 5 certificates. So a 1- or 2-year student can finish debt-free if they work, but doesn't have the post-program safety net of the guarantee.
A note on the final year at university
The default $12,398 reflects Liberty University Online's 2025-2026 undergraduate tuition ($390/credit × 30 credits + $698 in technology fees). This number assumes the student finishes their bachelor's online rather than residentially. If transferring to a residential program (Liberty residential or another partner school), expect the final-year cost to be considerably higher — adjust the field accordingly.
A note on "salary after" for gap-year programs
OneLife is a gap year — it doesn't produce a credential, so there's no specific "salary after" to calculate. Most students follow OneLife with college, work, or a trade. The same is true for Ascend at 1-2 years without the full guarantee, but remember that each year in Ascend includes a certificate and employment opportunities are placed in front of students within the first 6 months of their first year.
Verified Ascend employment guarantee
Per Ascend's published guarantee: Full tuition refund if a student completes all 3 years, earns all 5 certificates, and is unable to secure a standard entry-to-mid-level job within 6 months of graduation. Historical refund rate: 0%. Ascend pricing increases $1,000 monthly until enrollment closes.
Debt payoff calculations assume 10% of post-program salary toward loan payments at a 6.5% interest rate (federal undergraduate Direct Loan rate). Actual payoff times vary by repayment plan, income changes, and refinancing.