You’ve probably seen the name Erika Kirk all over your feed lately. Since she stepped into the role of CEO at Turning Point USA following the tragic assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, in late 2025, people have been digging into every detail of her life. Naturally, everyone wants to know: what college did Erika Kirk go to?
It’s a question that sounds simple but actually has a few different layers. Erika didn’t just breeze through one campus and call it a day. Her academic path took her from the basketball courts of Colorado to the lecture halls of Arizona, eventually leading into specialized legal and theological studies.
Honestly, it’s a journey that mirrors her personal evolution from a self-described "tomboy" to a high-profile political leader and mother.
The Early Years: From Regis to ASU
Erika Lane Kirk (formerly Erika Frantzve) didn't start where she finished. Born in Ohio in 1988 but raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, she was a standout athlete long before she was a pageant queen or a CEO. She attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School, where she was basically a local star in basketball and volleyball.
After high school, she headed to Denver, Colorado. She enrolled at Regis University, a private Jesuit school, on a basketball scholarship. She played as a reserve for about two years. If you look at the stats from the 2007–08 season, you’ll see her name in the lineup for eight games. But something shifted.
Maybe it was homesickness or just a change in goals, but she eventually moved back to her home state. She transferred to Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe. This is where she really locked in on her interest in the public sphere. In 2012, she graduated from ASU with her undergraduate degree in political science and international relations.
Funny enough, 2012 was a massive year for her. Not only did she wrap up her degree, but she also won the Miss Arizona USA title on her 23rd birthday. Talk about a busy semester.
Deepening the Profile: Liberty University and Beyond
For a lot of people, a bachelor's degree is the end of the road. Erika Kirk kept going. After a stint in the entertainment world—which included a brief appearance on Bravo’s Summer House and working as a real estate agent in New York—she pivoted back toward formal education with a specific focus on law and faith.
She chose Liberty University School of Law for her graduate work. She didn't go for a traditional JD, though. Instead, she earned a Juris Master (JM) in American Legal Studies in 2019.
This degree is designed for people who want to understand the law and how to navigate legal systems without necessarily becoming a practicing courtroom attorney. It’s been a foundational part of how she handles the administrative and advocacy sides of her current work.
But wait, there's more. She's currently pushing even further.
As of early 2026, Erika is pursuing a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Christian Leadership at Liberty University. Some sources also mention her work in biblical studies. It’s clear she’s positioning herself not just as a political figure, but as a theological leader within the conservative movement.
Why the Confusion?
People often get her education history mixed up because she has several different credentials from different states. If you search for "what college did Erika Kirk go to," you might find one site saying Regis and another saying Liberty. Both are right; they're just talking about different chapters of her life.
- Regis University: The "basketball years" in Denver.
- Arizona State University: The undergraduate foundation in Tempe.
- Liberty University: The postgraduate specialization in Lynchburg.
It’s worth noting that her education has become a talking point in the wake of her becoming CEO. Critics and supporters alike look at her credentials to gauge how she’ll lead Turning Point USA. She often bridges the gap between secular political science and faith-based leadership, which is basically the core mission of the organization she now runs.
Quick Snapshot of Erika Kirk’s Academic History
To keep it simple, here is how the timeline actually breaks down:
Erika graduated from Notre Dame Preparatory in 2007. She then spent 2007 to roughly 2009 at Regis University. Following her transfer, she spent the next few years at Arizona State University, graduating in 2012. After several years in the workforce and the pageant circuit, she returned to school, finishing her master's at Liberty in 2019 and starting her doctoral work shortly thereafter.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Her Career
If you’re tracking Erika Kirk’s influence in 2026, keep these three things in mind:
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- Watch the "Biblical Womanhood" messaging. Her current doctoral studies in Christian leadership are heavily influencing her speeches, like the ones she gave at the Young Women’s Leadership Summit.
- Look at the legal strategy. Her Juris Master from Liberty gives her a more technical understanding of the nonprofit legal landscape than many realize.
- Verify the timeline. When you see rumors about her past, remember her path was Regis (Athletics) -> ASU (Politics) -> Liberty (Law/Faith).
Understanding her educational background helps explain why she’s able to navigate both the gritty world of political activism and the more structured world of religious ministry. She isn't just a "widow taking over"; she’s someone who has been collecting the specific degrees needed for this exact role for over a decade.