University of Tulsa

Higher Educationutulsa.edu

The University of Tulsa is a private, non-profit research university founded in 1894 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering 109 degree programs across seven colleges to undergraduate, graduate, law, and international students, with specialized research in cybersecurity, energy, robotics, and bioengineering.

Company typePrivate
Founded1894
HeadquartersTulsa, United States
Headcount5,001–10,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What University of Tulsa does

The University of Tulsa is a private, non-profit research university founded in 1894 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It enrolls students across seven colleges and schools — Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Natural Sciences, Law, Graduate School, and Honors College — plus a private K-8 University School, offering 109 degree programs from undergraduate through doctoral and professional levels. The university differentiates on small class sizes (average 12 students), a job placement guarantee, and a 95% average graduate placement rate that reaches 97–100% in specific colleges.

The university's core technology and research footprint spans cybersecurity for critical energy infrastructure (anchored by a pilot-scale North Campus testbed with over $10M in DOD/DOE funding), cooperative robotics for aging assistance (Sarah and John Graves Institute), bioengineering (Mote Lab), and extreme-temperature energy storage (NSF-funded lithium-ion research at -80°C). It runs 78-country international recruitment, study abroad in 32 countries, and an early-stage venture fund (Hurricane Ventures) that has made 11 investments since April 2023 in alumni-founded companies in clean energy and biotech. Recent additions include a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (May 2026) and online degrees in MBA, Cybersecurity MS, and Nursing.

The business model combines tuition and fees (undergraduate, graduate, law, online), federal and state research grants, philanthropic gifts and endowments (e.g., $12M Asbjornson Foundation gift), auxiliary services (housing, dining), and venture investment returns through Hurricane Ventures. Distribution is primarily through direct admissions channels (campus visits, online application portal, athletics and military recruitment) plus growing online program delivery. The university is governed by a Board of Trustees, has no parent company, and reports 5,001–10,000 employees.

University of Tulsa firmographics

Firmographics

Name: University of Tulsa
Legal name: The University of Tulsa
Website: https://utulsa.edu
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1894
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 5,001–10,000 employees
Short description: The University of Tulsa is a private, non-profit research university founded in 1894 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offering 109 degree programs across seven colleges to undergraduate, graduate, law, and international students, with specialized research in cybersecurity, energy, robotics, and bioengineering.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

University of Tulsa industry classification

Industry

Product category: Higher Education
NAICS: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
akta.pro primary industry: Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
akta.pro secondary industries: STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB), Law & Legal Studies Research Universities (EDAHABAF)

Keywords

Higher education
Undergraduate degree programs
Graduate professional studies
Online degree programs
Research university

Where University of Tulsa is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Tulsa
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

University of Tulsa business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and law school tuition and associated fees for degree programs
Research Grants and Federal Funding: Significant federal funding from agencies including Department of Defense and Department of Energy for research programs
Gifts and Endowments: Donations and endowed funds from alumni and community supporters, including major gifts such as $12M from Asbjornson Foundation and transformative gifts for facilities
Auxiliary Services: Revenue from housing, dining, and campus facilities services provided to students
Hurricane Ventures Investment Returns: Venture fund investments in startups (BioReact, Tobe Energy) generating potential returns through equity participation

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Online MBA Programs
Subscription	Annual	Online Cyber Security M.S.
Subscription	Annual	Online Nursing Programs
Unit Pricing	Multi-year contract	Study Abroad Programs
Subscription	Annual	University School (K-8)

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

University of Tulsa product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The University of Tulsa is a private non-profit research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, law, and online degree programs across seven colleges (Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Natural Sciences, Law, Graduate School, and Honors College) plus a K-8 University School. It supplements instruction with research institutes (Robotics & Autonomy, Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute), specialized facilities (energy systems cybersecurity testbed, Mote Bioengineering Lab), and an early-stage venture fund (Hurricane Ventures), and earns revenue from tuition, research grants, philanthropic gifts, and auxiliary campus services.

Product overview

The University of Tulsa is a private research university offering educational programs across seven colleges (Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Natural Sciences, Law, Honors College, and Graduate School) plus University School for K-8. The institution's portfolio includes traditional on-campus degree programs, online degree offerings (MBA tracks, Cyber Security M.S., Nursing programs), and specialized research institutes including the Sarah and John Graves Institute for Robotics & Autonomy, Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, and an energy systems cybersecurity testbed. The university also operates Hurricane Ventures, an early-stage venture fund investing in alumni-founded startups. Key academic offerings include a Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence launched in 2026, online professional degree programs, and research-intensive graduate programs across STEM, business, and law disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Tandy School of Computer Science: Computer science programs within the College of Engineering & Computer Science
Hurricane Ventures
Sarah and John Graves Institute for Robotics & Autonomy
CaneCareers
Gilcrease Museum
University School

Products and services

Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence A four-year undergraduate degree designed as a double-major that provides students from diverse academic backgrounds with comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence, empowering them to develop solutions for real-world challenges through advanced AI tools and techniques.
Online MBA Programs Flexible, accelerated online MBA tracks including Accounting, Business Analytics, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Technology, and Marketing specializations, allowing working professionals to advance their careers on their terms.
Online Cyber Security M.S. Graduate-level online cybersecurity degree program designed for professionals seeking advanced knowledge in protecting digital assets and infrastructure.
Online Nursing Programs Suite of online nursing programs including Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), and Family Nurse Practitioner DNP programs.
Jumpstart UTulsa One-week international pre-college experience program for incoming freshmen offering travel to Germany ($4,900), Mexico ($3,000), China ($3,500), or Rome ($3,500), integrated with a First-Year Experience course to build community and global awareness before the first semester.
University School (K-8 Private School)

Quantifiable outcome

95% average placement rate for graduates
+8 more outcomes

Companies that use University of Tulsa

Customer profile

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

University of Tulsa technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

University of Tulsa partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

Bootup StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Miami-based startup leveraging AI to help laid-off workers become entrepreneurs. UTulsa has secured pilot programs with Bootup Studios, which offers AI-powered business guidance for entrepreneurs.
University of SiegencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing exchange partnership with German university spanning over 25 years. Partners include Universitat Siegen for student exchanges and collaborative programs.
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis PotosícoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange agreement with Mexican university in sister city San Luis Potosí (sister city relationship established by UTulsa students in 1980). Partners for Jumpstart Mexico program and study abroad opportunities.
China University of Petroleum BeijingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop national public Chinese university partner for Jumpstart China program. UTulsa students engage with Chinese peers on climate change, global solutions, and green energy through lectures and dialogue.
Instituto TemazcalliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in San Luis Potosí, Mexico for Jumpstart program cultural immersion experiences.
Espartec ManufacturingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner in San Luis Potosí for Jumpstart Mexico company visits and industry exposure.
Gilcrease MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-class museum partnership providing students with paid and volunteer opportunities in art, artifacts, and cultural preservation studies.
Laureate Institute for Brain ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for neuroscience and brain research providing students with advanced research opportunities in psychology and brain studies.
Muscogee (Creek) NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint effort with Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Historic and Cultural Preservation Department funded by $677,000 Mellon Foundation grant for Public Knowledge program.
200+ Partner Organizations (Law)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 200 partner organizations across 26 states providing internship, externship, and clinical placement opportunities for law students.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

University of Tulsa competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Marquette University: Private research university of similar scale with comparable mix of professional schools (engineering, business, law, health sciences) and similar Midwestern/South-Central recruitment footprint.
Creighton University: Private university of similar size with comparable professional-school mix including law, business, and health sciences; overlapping student profile and outcomes-driven positioning.
Southern Methodist University (SMU): Private research university of similar scale with comparable colleges (engineering, business, law, arts & sciences), recruiting in the same South Central regional footprint with similar tuition positioning.
Case Western Reserve University: Private research university of comparable size with strong engineering, computer science, and applied research emphasis including energy and biomedical research — directly comparable research profile.
Tulane University: Private research university of similar size and disciplinary breadth, offering programs across arts & sciences, business, engineering, law, and public health. Most structurally comparable peer given the multi-disciplinary private research profile.
Baylor University: Private research university in the South Central U.S. with comparable size, similar mix of colleges including business, engineering, law, and arts & sciences, and overlapping regional recruiting territory.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI): Private research university focused on engineering, computer science, and applied sciences; similar size and student-to-faculty ratio with strong federal research funding profile and tech-oriented undergraduate focus.
Texas Christian University (TCU): Private university of comparable size in the South Central region with overlapping business and arts & sciences programs and similar student outcomes marketing positioning.
Lehigh University: Private research university with comparable engineering-and-business emphasis, similar undergraduate focus, and overlapping STEM research strengths including energy and materials research.

Regional players

University of Oklahoma: The state's flagship public research university and primary regional competitor for Oklahoma-resident students, faculty, and research funding; partnered with UTulsa on the DARC-NESS therapeutic research collaboration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

University of Tulsa financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

University of Tulsa leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

University of Tulsa funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

University of Tulsa M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Tulsa

What does University of Tulsa do?

Is University of Tulsa a public or private company?

University of Tulsa is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was University of Tulsa founded?

University of Tulsa was founded in 1894. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.

Where is University of Tulsa based?

University of Tulsa is headquartered in Tulsa, United States, in the North America region.

How does University of Tulsa make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are research Grants and Federal Funding, gifts and Endowments, auxiliary Services and hurricane Ventures Investment Returns.

Who are University of Tulsa's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Marquette University, Creighton University, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Case Western Reserve University, Tulane University, Baylor University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Texas Christian University (TCU) and Lehigh University. University of Oklahoma is listed as a regional player.

Does University of Tulsa have an API?

No public API is recorded for University of Tulsa.

What industry is University of Tulsa in?

University of Tulsa's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary), with a secondary code of EDAHABAB, STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.