Williams Baptist University
Williams Baptist University is a private, non-profit Christian university in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with a Williams Works work-college model that lets students earn tuition through 16 hours of weekly campus work.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1941
- HeadquartersWalnut Ridge, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Williams Baptist University does
Williams Baptist University (WBU) is a private, non-profit Christian university headquartered in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, founded in 1941 by Dr. H.E. Williams as Southern Baptist College and renamed Williams Baptist University in 2013. The institution delivers Christ-centered undergraduate, graduate, and online education through more than 25 majors across ten academic departments (Business, Christian Ministries, Education, English, Health & Physical Ed, History, Liberal Arts, Music, Natural Sciences, Psychology), plus fully online Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Science in Education programs priced at $430 per credit hour. WBU's distinctive structural offering is the Williams Works work-college model, in which students work 16 hours per week on campus or at community employer partners to fully cover tuition and fees, anchored operationally by Eagle Farms, a 10-plus acre university-owned working farm that supplies Williams Corner, an on-campus retail outlet.
The university serves four primary customer segments — first-time freshmen, transfer students, graduate students (predominantly online), and international students — with nearly 99% of students receiving financial aid and scholarship tiers ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 annually based on academic merit. WBU's technology stack is limited to standard higher-education systems: Blackbaud for the student portal/campus app, Parchment for transcript ordering, and PayMyTuition for international payment processing. There is no proprietary technology product or AI capability. Auxiliary revenue from housing, dining, and retail is layered on tuition, while grants and donations — most notably a $4 million Mabee Foundation award (2023) and $1.9 million from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (2024) — fund capital projects including an $8 million wellness center.
Commercially, WBU pursues a direct-to-consumer admissions model supported by campus tours, preview days, multi-platform social media, a president-hosted Lifework podcast, and a regional community-discount program (Williams BLUE). A February 2026 workforce partnership with Black River Technical College (BRTC) and the 2026 launch of an accelerated 3-year Agribusiness bachelor's degree mark the most recent strategic efforts to align the university with Arkansas's state workforce strategy and to expand the addressable student base beyond the northeast Arkansas core.
Williams Baptist University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Williams Baptist University
- Legal name
- Williams Baptist University
- Website
- https://williamsbu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1941
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Williams Baptist University is a private, non-profit Christian university in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, offering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs with a Williams Works work-college model that lets students earn tuition through 16 hours of weekly campus work.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Williams Baptist University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)
Keywords
Where Williams Baptist University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Walnut Ridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Williams Baptist University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition and mandatory fees charged to enrolled students
- Grants and Donations: Significant philanthropic revenue from foundations and donors, including the $4 million Mabee Foundation grant for the wellness center
- Auxiliary Services: Revenue from housing, dining, and campus retail operations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | University Grant for ACT 17-18 |
| Subscription | Annual | Dean's Scholarship for ACT 19-21 |
| Subscription | Annual | President's Scholarship for ACT 22-26 |
| Subscription | Annual | Founder's Scholarship for ACT 27+ |
| Subscription | Annual | Transfer Grant |
| Subscription | Annual | Excellence Scholarship |
| Subscription | Annual | Summit Scholarship |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Graduate Education Programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Williams Baptist University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Williams Baptist University is a private, non-profit Christ-centered university offering undergraduate degrees across 10+ academic departments and fully online graduate programs in education. Its distinctive Williams Works work-college program allows students to work 16 hours per week to have tuition and fees completely covered, supported by the on-campus Eagle Farms agricultural operation and community employer partnerships.
Product overview
Williams Baptist University (WBU) is a Christ-centered private university offering a comprehensive educational portfolio. The institution operates as a platform with distinct programs: the core Williams Works work-college model provides debt-free education through on-campus employment, with Eagle Farms as its agricultural centerpiece. Academic offerings include undergraduate majors across Business, Christian Ministries, Education, Liberal Arts, Music, Natural Sciences, and Psychology, plus graduate programs (Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Education). The university recently launched an accelerated 3-year Agribusiness degree. Additional offerings include Eagle Athletics (19 NAIA varsity sports), Performing Arts programs, and Williams Corner retail operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Williams Works: A work-college program where students work 16 hours per week to have tuition and fees completely covered. The program includes job opportunities at Eagle Farms, Williams Corner market, chicken egg operation, The Hotel Rhea, Lawrence Medical Center, Custom Pak, and financial firms.
- Eagle Farms
- Eagles
- College City USA
- Williams Teacher Education Program (WTEP)
Products and services
- Williams Works A work-college program allowing students to work 16 hours per week during semesters to have tuition completely covered. Includes on-campus jobs at Eagle Farms, Williams Corner market, and community partner locations. Designed for undergraduate students seeking debt-free graduation.
- Eagle Farms A 10-plus acre university-owned working fruit and vegetable farm serving as the centerpiece of the Williams Works program. Students plant, cultivate, harvest crops, and market produce at the farm, farmers market, and Williams Corner retail location. Provides hands-on agricultural experience for students.
- 3-Year Agribusiness Degree Accelerated bachelor's degree in Agribusiness requiring 90 credit hours instead of traditional 120, developed in response to Arkansas Workforce Strategy. First accelerated agribusiness program of its kind in Arkansas, with hands-on experience at Eagle Farms facility.
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Fully online graduate program preparing students for teaching licensure with 36 credit hours completed in 18 months. Offers certification for mid-level, secondary, and K-12 broad-range areas. Designed for working professionals seeking flexible graduate education.
- Master of Science in Education (MSE) Fully online graduate program for P-12 classroom teachers to advance their careers. Features 8-week courses with 24/7 technical support and no hidden fees. Priced at $430 per credit hour.
- Williams Baptist University Undergraduate Programs Christ-centered undergraduate education with over 25 majors and pre-professional programs including Business, Christian Ministries, Education, English, Health & Physical Ed, History, Liberal Arts, Music, Natural Sciences, Psychology, and pre-professional tracks (Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Veterinary Medicine).
- Williams Teacher Education Program (WTEP) CAEP-accredited teacher preparation program for Bachelor of Science in Education degrees meeting Arkansas state licensure requirements. Includes Elementary (K-6), Middle Level, Secondary, and K-12 education tracks. Accreditation effective fall 2022 through fall 2028.
- Eagle Athletics Intercollegiate athletics program with 19 varsity sports competing in the NAIA American Midwest Conference. Includes 16 sports for men and women such as basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and softball. Offers athletic scholarships and has produced 20 conference championships and 15 All-Americans over the past 6 years.
- Performing Arts Includes Williams Singers (auditioned choir), University Band, Worship Team, Americana Band (gospel, country, bluegrass), and The Cast (theatre troupe). Students can earn scholarships for participation across music and theatre programs.
- Williams Corner University-owned retail location on Highway 67 selling Eagle Farms produce and WBU-branded products including pecans from 125 pecan trees on campus. Functions as a hands-on retail training site for Williams Works students.
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates can earn degree debt-free through Williams Works program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Williams Baptist University
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Williams Baptist University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Williams Baptist University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Black River Technical College (BRTC)coreWilliams Baptist University and Black River Technical College signed a workforce partnership agreement on February 17, 2026 to share resources including degrees, educational pathways, instruction, facilities, and workforce support services. The collaboration supports the Arkansas Workforce Strategy launched by Governor Sarah Sanders. WBU recently received approval to offer a bachelor's degree in agribusiness that BRTC associate's graduates could complete in one additional year. The partnership emphasizes agriculture and precision agriculture.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Williams Baptist University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- John Brown University: Faith-based private university in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, offering a similar mix of undergraduate majors, graduate programs, athletics, and Christ-centered identity. Most direct geographic and mission comparable to WBU.
- Harding University: Private Christian university in Searcy, Arkansas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. Comparable size, religious affiliation, regional recruitment base, NCAA Division II athletics, and graduate program portfolio.
- Ouachita Baptist University: Baptist-affiliated private university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas with similar undergraduate, athletics, and faith-based positioning. Directly comparable as a small denominational liberal arts institution in Arkansas.
- Lyon College: Small Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college in Batesville, Arkansas. Comparable in size, faith affiliation, regional Arkansas recruitment, and undergraduate liberal arts focus.
- University of the Ozarks: Small private liberal arts university in Clarksville, Arkansas affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Comparable small faith-based institution competing in the same regional Arkansas market.
- Oklahoma Baptist University: Baptist-affiliated private university in Shawnee, Oklahoma with similar undergraduate, athletics (NAIA), and graduate education programming. Strong mission and product comparability.
- Missouri Baptist University: Southern Baptist-affiliated private university in St. Louis, Missouri. Comparable faith affiliation, NAIA athletics, and undergraduate/graduate education mix to WBU.
- Shorter University: Baptist-affiliated private university in Rome, Georgia. Comparable small faith-based institution with undergraduate and graduate programs, NAIA athletics, and similar enrollment size range.
- Bryan College: Private Christian liberal arts college in Dayton, Tennessee with similar undergraduate programs, athletics, and evangelical identity. Comparable small faith-based institution business model.
Regional players
- Black River Technical College: Public community college in Pocahontes, Arkansas, partnered with WBU under the 2026 BRTC-WBU workforce agreement. Directly relevant as articulation partner and regional competitor for transfer students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Williams Baptist University social profiles
Digital presenceWilliams Baptist University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Williams Baptist University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Williams Baptist University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Williams Baptist University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Williams Baptist University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Williams Baptist University
What does Williams Baptist University do?
Williams Baptist University is a private, non-profit Christ-centered university offering undergraduate degrees across 10+ academic departments and fully online graduate programs in education. Its distinctive Williams Works work-college program allows students to work 16 hours per week to have tuition and fees completely covered, supported by the on-campus Eagle Farms agricultural operation and community employer partnerships.
Is Williams Baptist University a public or private company?
Williams Baptist University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Williams Baptist University founded?
Williams Baptist University was founded in 1941. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Williams Baptist University based?
Williams Baptist University is headquartered in Walnut Ridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Williams Baptist University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are grants and Donations and auxiliary Services.
Who are Williams Baptist University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are John Brown University, Harding University, Ouachita Baptist University, Lyon College, University of the Ozarks, Oklahoma Baptist University, Missouri Baptist University, Shorter University and Bryan College. Black River Technical College is listed as a regional player.
Does Williams Baptist University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Williams Baptist University.
What industry is Williams Baptist University in?
Williams Baptist University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAF, Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113.