Davenport University
Davenport University is a private, non-profit institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the largest private university in Michigan, operating seven physical campuses and an online division that together offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs across business, health professions, technology, arts and sciences, and urban education to traditional students, adult learners, military personnel, and corporate partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1866
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Davenport University does
Davenport University is a private, non-profit institution of higher education headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1866 and positioned as the largest private university in Michigan. It operates seven physical campuses across the state (Grand Rapids, Warren, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Midland, Traverse City) plus a Global Online Campus, and delivers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five colleges: Business, Health Professions, Technology, Arts & Sciences, and Urban Education. The university serves a diverse student body spanning high school graduates, transfer students, graduate students, adult learners, military personnel, international students, community college transfers, and corporate partners, with programs offered through 7-week and 15-week semesters in online, hybrid, and in-person modalities.
The core product portfolio comprises associate through doctoral degree programs, professional certificate programs, customized corporate training through the Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx), and specialized support services such as Casa Latina. Notable technology investments include the Anatomage Table for 3D human anatomy visualization, Med Cart EHR Workstations, and Simulation Medication Dispensers deployed under the Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness initiative at the Midland campus, funded by $210,000 in foundation grants. The CCMA certification program reports a 97% national exam pass rate versus a 79% national average, and accounting graduates report nearly 100% job placement with IACBE special accreditation. Healthcare workforce programs (BSN, CCMA) are a strategic emphasis, targeting 6,000-12,000 projected annual RN/MA openings in Michigan through 2030 across 65 of 83 counties facing primary-care deficits.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees from degree-seeking students on a recurring basis, supplemented by professional services revenue from IPEx corporate training (including a generative AI training program launched with Business Connect in December 2025). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the university uses scholarship and corporate-subsidy mechanisms, including up to $8,000/year for Rockford employees, up to $6,500/year for spouses and dependents, and a 20% HIMSS-member discount, as customer-acquisition and retention tools. The university holds CCNE nursing accreditation, IACBE accounting accreditation, NCAA Division II and GLIAC membership, and was the first Michigan university to receive the Michigan Performance Excellence Award. Governance rests with a Board of Trustees; President Richard J. Pappas retired in June 2026 after 17 years and was succeeded by interim president Anthony Anderson.
Davenport University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Davenport University
- Legal name
- Davenport University
- Website
- https://davenport.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1866
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Davenport University is a private, non-profit institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the largest private university in Michigan, operating seven physical campuses and an online division that together offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs across business, health professions, technology, arts and sciences, and urban education to traditional students, adult learners, military personnel, and corporate partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Davenport University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)
Keywords
Where Davenport University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Davenport University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificate programs, and professional development courses offered at multiple campus locations and online
- Corporate Training (IPEx): Customized training programs for organizations delivered through the Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx), including generative AI training and professional development certificates
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Education Scholarship for Rockford employees |
| Subscription | Annual | HIMSS Member Scholarship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Davenport University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Davenport University is a private, non-profit higher education institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, professional certificates, and customized corporate training through six Michigan campuses and a Global Campus (Online+). It serves diverse student populations through flexible online, in-person, and hybrid formats across five academic colleges: Business, Health Professions, Technology, Arts & Sciences, and Urban Education. The Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx) provides workforce development and tailored training programs for employer partners.
Product overview
Davenport University is a private university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and services. The institution operates as a multi-campus university (seven physical campuses across Michigan plus online) providing over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five academic colleges: Business, Health Professions, Technology, Arts & Sciences, and Urban Education. The university's product portfolio is structured around: (1) Core academic degree programs at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels; (2) Professional certification programs through the Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx), including healthcare certifications like CCMA with 97% pass rates; (3) Customized corporate training services including AI training programs; (4) Student success tools like DegreePlan for educational planning; and (5) Specialized support services including Casa Latina for Hispanic/Latino students. Programs are delivered through flexible formats including 7-week and 15-week semesters, online, hybrid, and in-person modalities. Notable partnerships with employers like Rockford and organizations like HIMSS provide workforce-aligned pathways and scholarship opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx): Professional education and corporate training division offering customized AI training, certificate programs, and workforce development courses for organizations.
- Casa Latina
- Global Campus
Products and services
- Degree Programs (Undergraduate & Graduate) Career-focused associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across Business, Health Professions, Technology, Arts & Sciences, and Urban Education, delivered online, in-person, or hybrid.
- Certificate Programs Professional and academic certificate programs in healthcare, business, technology, and workforce development fields offered through Davenport University and IPEx.
- Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx) Corporate education and professional training division delivering customized workforce development programs, generative AI training, and professional development certificates for employer organizations.
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Undergraduate accounting degree program with special IACBE accreditation preparing students for accounting, auditing, and financial management careers, with nearly 100% job placement rate.
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting Fraud Investigation Specialized undergraduate program combining accounting and computer security skills for careers in fraud examination, forensic accounting, and compliance.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) CCNE-accredited pre-licensure nursing degree program preparing students for RN certification, with an employment guarantee provided to graduates.
- Master of Science in Nursing Graduate-level nursing program including nurse educator concentration, preparing nurses for advanced practice, education, and leadership roles, with CCNE accreditation.
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Program Healthcare certification program through IPEx using a hybrid model combining 15-week online coursework with in-person hands-on lab experiences, achieving a 97% national certification exam pass rate versus 79% national average.
- Health Information Management Programs Bachelor's and master's degree programs in health information management with streamlined transfer pathways through partnerships with Southern University at New Orleans, Leeward Community College, and HIMSS.
- Customized AI Training Program Tailored generative AI training delivered by IPEx for organizations, including instructor-led sessions, customized content, reference guides, and cross-functional training covering leadership, operations, marketing, sales, and AI security.
- Fast-Track BSN Program with Northwestern Michigan College Concurrent-enrollment fast-track BSN pathway where students complete two years at Northwestern Michigan College and a third year at Davenport University, enabled by 2022 Michigan legislation to expand nursing education.
- Health and Science Innovations for Workforce Preparedness Initiative Technology-enhanced healthcare education initiative at the Midland campus integrating Anatomage Table (3D anatomy), Med Cart EHR Workstation (electronic health records simulation), and Simulation Medication Dispenser for hands-on clinical training.
- Corporate Education Scholarship Program Employer partnership program providing tuition scholarships (up to $8,000/year) and professional development discounts to employees and their family members through signed corporate agreements.
- Casa Latina Specialized Hispanic and Latino student services program offering tailored degree programs, community support, and cultural resources for Latinx students at Davenport University.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% CCMA certification pass rate vs 79% national average
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Davenport University
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Davenport University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Davenport University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- RockfordflagshipWorkforce development partnership providing scholarship opportunities for Rockford employees (up to $8,000/year) and their family members (up to $6,500/year), plus 20% discount on professional development certificates through IPEx
- Business ConnectcoreIPEx partnered with Business Connect to deliver customized generative AI training program including 8 instructor-led sessions totaling 15 hours, 118 hours of tailored content preparation, and 6 customized PDF reference guides
- Northwestern Michigan College (NMC)flagshipFast-track BSN program partnership under 2022 Michigan legislation; students enrolled for two years at NMC and a third year at Davenport, providing faster and less expensive path to BSN. First 12 graduates celebrated in August 2024
- Southern University at New OrleanscoreHealth information management partnership providing streamlined transfer pathways for students to pursue bachelor's or master's degrees in health information management
- Leeward Community College in HonolulucoreHealth information management partnership with Leeward Community College providing transfer pathways for students to pursue bachelor's or master's degrees
- Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS)flagshipHIMSS partnership offering 20% scholarship to HIMSS members and their dependents on all tuition, and streamlined pathways for health information management degrees
- AmwaycoreCorporate partner providing assistance for employees to reskill and upskill through Davenport's Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx)
- GentexcoreCorporate partner providing assistance for employees to reskill and upskill through Davenport's Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx)
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Davenport University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Calvin University: Private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan with comparable undergraduate and graduate programs across business, health, and technology, directly competing for the same regional student base.
- Aquinas College: Private Catholic college in Grand Rapids, Michigan with comparable size, career-focused programs, and overlapping service area in West Michigan.
- Hope College: Private liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan with similar size, four-year residential model, and broad academic offerings competing for West Michigan students.
- Cornerstone University: Private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan with undergraduate, graduate, and online programs competing head-to-head in the same metro.
- Spring Arbor University: Private Christian university in Michigan with strong online and adult-learner programs, comparable in size and regional private positioning.
Regional players
- Western Michigan University: Major Michigan public research university in Kalamazoo, one of Davenport's physical campus locations, competing for the same mid-Michigan student pool.
- Grand Valley State University: Large public Michigan university headquartered in Allendale/Grand Rapids, directly overlapping in West Michigan student market and broad program offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Western Governors University: Large national nonprofit online university with competency-based programs and strong adult-learner focus, a primary competitor for Davenport's online Global Campus.
- Purdue University Global: Online-focused university targeting adult and career-motivated learners, competing with Davenport's online and corporate training programs.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with one of the largest online enrollments in the U.S., directly competing with Davenport for adult-learner and online degree market share.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Davenport University social profiles
Digital presenceDavenport University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Davenport University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Davenport University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Davenport University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Davenport 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 Davenport University
What does Davenport University do?
Davenport University is a private, non-profit higher education institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, professional certificates, and customized corporate training through six Michigan campuses and a Global Campus (Online+). It serves diverse student populations through flexible online, in-person, and hybrid formats across five academic colleges: Business, Health Professions, Technology, Arts & Sciences, and Urban Education. The Institute for Professional Excellence (IPEx) provides workforce development and tailored training programs for employer partners.
Is Davenport University a public or private company?
Davenport University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Davenport University founded?
Davenport University was founded in 1866. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Davenport University based?
Davenport University is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Davenport University make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are corporate Training (IPEx).
Who are Davenport University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Calvin University, Aquinas College, Hope College, Cornerstone University and Spring Arbor University. Regional players are Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. Broad incumbents are Western Governors University, Purdue University Global and Southern New Hampshire University.
Does Davenport University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Davenport University.
What industry is Davenport University in?
Davenport University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAB, Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHALAA, Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting). Its NAICS code is 61131 and its SIC code is 8200.