Parker University

What Parker University does

Parker University is a privately held, regionally accredited private university founded in 1982 by Dr. James William Parker (originally as Parker College of Chiropractic) and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It serves more than 2,300 students across 25+ certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs with a primary focus on healthcare education—anchored by its flagship Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program, which the institution states has the second-largest chiropractic student cohort globally. The institution operates an integrated ecosystem of wholly owned sub-brands and facilities including Parker Seminars (continuing education events in Dallas, Las Vegas, and internationally), the Parker Research Center, the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic (open-access peer-reviewed publication), the Human Performance Center led by Dr. Andy Galpin, Parker Wellness Clinics (student training), Parker Performance Institute (Frisco, TX), Parker Success Academy, and the INVICTA Project (no-cost TBI/post-concussion treatment for veterans and first responders).

The university generates the majority of its revenue from tuition and fees, with program-level pricing that includes the DC program at $14,130 per trimester full-time (2026-27), graduate programs at $871 per credit hour, and undergraduate programs at $777 per credit hour, alongside a portfolio of certificate programs ranging from approximately $1,640 to $12,360. Programs are delivered through on-campus (Dallas), fully online, and hybrid formats, broadening the addressable geographic market beyond the Texas physical footprint. Revenue is supplemented by donations and planned giving through the Parker Fund, philanthropy supporting the INVICTA Project (over $500,000 raised at the 2026 gala), and Parker Seminars continuing education revenue. Customer segments include future healthcare practitioners (primary), veterans and first responders served at no cost via INVICTA, and healthcare employers recruiting at career fairs. The institution holds dual CCE programmatic accreditation and SACSCOC regional accreditation (both reaffirmed in 2022 with no concerns), is led by President Dr. William E. Morgan (former White House and Congressional chiropractor), and operates without venture capital or private equity backing.

Name

Parker University

Legal name

Parker University

Website

https://parker.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Parker University is a Dallas-based, regionally accredited private healthcare education institution founded in 1982, serving 2,300+ students across 25+ certificate through doctorate programs anchored by the second-largest Doctor of Chiropractic cohort globally, with additional continuing education, research, and veteran care operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

Keywords

• Chiropractic education
• Healthcare degree programs
• Graduate health sciences
• Continuing medical education
• Clinical training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Parker University generates the majority of its revenue from tuition and fees charged across its certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs. Tuition varies by program level: Doctor of Chiropractic at $14,130 per trimester full-time (2026-27), graduate programs at $871 per credit hour, undergraduate at $777 per credit hour. Additional fees include student fees, application fees, and program-specific materials and licensing fees.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Parker University raises funds through annual gifts, the Parker Fund (unrestricted), the Century Club ($1,000+ donor brick program), Parker Scholarship Fund, leadership gifts, planned giving (bequests, retirement accounts, charitable gift annuities), appreciated securities donations, and matching gifts. The university also hosts donor cultivation events.
3. INVICTA Project Philanthropy: The INVICTA Project raises funds through gala events (2026 gala raised over $500,000), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations to support no-cost treatment for veterans and first responders suffering from TBI and post-concussion symptoms at Parker Performance Institute.
4. Parker Seminars: Parker Seminars generates revenue through continuing education conference attendance fees, expo hall exhibitor fees, and related events (Dallas, Las Vegas, and international locations). These seminars provide professional development for chiropractors and healthcare practitioners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Parker University is a regionally accredited private university offering healthcare-focused higher education programs across certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels, with a flagship Doctor of Chiropractic program. It also delivers graduate and undergraduate degrees in health sciences, business, and public health via on-campus, online, and hybrid formats, and operates continuing education through Parker Seminars alongside clinical training at the Parker Performance Institute.

Product overview

Parker University is a regionally accredited private healthcare education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs through certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree levels. The university's core offerings include the flagship Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program (the second-largest chiropractic cohort globally), nine graduate master's programs (MBA, MPH, MS in various specializations), multiple undergraduate bachelor's and associate degree programs in health sciences fields, and various certificate/professional training programs. Programs are delivered through multiple formats including on-ground, online, and hybrid options. The institution extends beyond academics through Parker Seminars (continuing education), the Parker Research Center (publishing the Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic), the Human Performance Center (research and training), Parker Wellness Clinics (student training facilities), and the Parker Performance Institute (integrated healthcare). The INVICTA Project provides no-cost treatment for veterans and first responders. The institution holds CCE accreditation for its DC program and SACSCOC regional accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) Program Flagship doctoral program educating students as chiropractic physicians, featuring CCE-accredited training with hands-on clinical experience and options for traditional on-ground or hybrid delivery.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's degree programs including MBA, MPH, MS in Anatomy, Clinical Neuroscience, Clinical Research, Functional Nutrition, Interprofessional Spine Management, Pediatric Musculoskeletal Health and Performance, and Strength and Human Performance, delivered online or on campus.
• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's degree programs in Anatomy, Health Information Management, Integrative Health, Nutrition Science, Sport Psychology, and Strength and Human Performance, plus associate degrees in Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, Diagnostic Sonography, Health Sciences, and Radiologic Technology.
• Certificate and Professional Training Programs Certificate programs including Computed Tomography, Massage Therapy (English and Dual Language Spanish), Medical Assistant, Yoga Teacher Training (200 Hour), and Electrocardiograph Technician Training.
• Parker Seminars Continuing education seminars for chiropractic and healthcare professionals, offering annual Dallas Homecoming events and international programming with world-class education, networking, and innovation opportunities.
• Parker Performance Institute Integrated healthcare clinic in Frisco, Texas, providing multidisciplinary care including neurological health, metabolic function, and musculoskeletal recovery, and serving as the treatment location for The INVICTA Project.
• The INVICTA Project Program providing no-cost treatment for veterans and first responders suffering from traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion symptoms, delivered through Parker Performance Institute in Frisco, Texas.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 veterans and first responders served by INVICTA Project in 2025 alone; more than $620,000 invested in participant care since the program's inception
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The INVICTA ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026The INVICTA Project is a charitable initiative dedicated to providing no-cost, life-changing treatment for veterans and first responders suffering from TBI and post-concussion symptoms. Partnering with Parker Performance Institute in Frisco, TX, the project raised over $500,000 at its 2026 gala and has invested more than $620,000 in participant care since inception. Eight Medal of Honor recipients attended the 2026 gala.
• AHIMA FoundationminorOthers · 24 March 2026AHIMA Foundation awarded Parker University a $32,356.22 grant to support Health Information Management students with tuition, resources, exam preparation materials, and AHIMA memberships.
• Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of TeachingminorOthers · 1 January 2025The Carnegie Foundation classified Parker University as an 'Opportunity College & University' in its 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification, recognizing the institution for combining educational access with strong post-graduation earnings outcomes.
• EduMed.orgminorOthers · 1 January 2025EduMed.org evaluated more than 7,700 accredited colleges and universities and recognized Parker University with top-value designations for Best Online Master's Degree in Strength and Human Performance, Best Online Master's Degree in Nutrition, and Most Affordable Online Master's Degree in Public Health.
• American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) / Massage EnvyminorOthers · 31 May 2024AMTA announced Parker University as a winner of a $10,000 massage school grant funded by Massage Envy, as part of AMTA's third round of grants to support massage therapy education schools in attracting, training, and graduating future massage therapists.
• Parker Performance InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn integrated healthcare clinic operated by Parker University at Frisco, TX, providing advanced diagnostics and multidisciplinary care (neurological health, metabolic function, musculoskeletal recovery) for INVICTA Project participants. The institute serves as the treatment delivery site for the veterans and first responder program.
• Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)coreOthersCCE provides programmatic accreditation for Parker University's Doctor of Chiropractic degree program. The accreditation was most recently reaffirmed in 2022 with no concerns. CCE is located at 10105 E. Via Linda, Suite 103-3642, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-4321.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)coreOthersSACSCOC provides regional accreditation for Parker University. Full reaffirmation of accreditation was secured in 2022 with no concerns.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital and Military Medical CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParker University's clinical curriculum includes partnerships with the VA Hospital system and military medical centers, providing students with integrated internship and clinical training opportunities. Dr. William E. Morgan previously established the first chiropractic clinic at the National Naval Medical Center (Walter Reed).
• Private Practice PartnershipsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParker University maintains partnerships with private practice chiropractic offices for student clinical rotations and externships, ensuring graduates gain real-world practice experience before graduation.
• NCMICminorOthersNCMIC is referenced as a partner supporting Parker University through the NCMIC Student Library and student insurance programs, contributing to student resources and malpractice coverage.
• Inceptia / Verification GatewayminorOthersParker University partners with Inceptia's Verification Gateway to expedite the federal verification process for financial aid applicants.
• Pamela Stout / Success North Texas RealtyminorOthersParker University partners with local real estate agent Pamela Stout of Success North Texas Realty to provide housing search assistance to incoming students relocating to the Dallas area.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Logan University: Private health sciences university in Chesterfield, Missouri, anchored by its Doctor of Chiropractic program with multiple master's degrees and graduate certificates. Directly comparable to Parker as a specialized chiropractic-anchored institution expanding into broader health-professions education.
• Palmer College of Chiropractic: The founding chiropractic college (founded 1897), with campuses in Davenport, Florida, and California. Compares to Parker as the largest direct competitor in DC enrollment and research output, with overlapping CCE-accredited DC programs and similar continuing education offerings.
• Life University: Private university in Marietta, Georgia, offering the Doctor of Chiropractic and a wide range of undergraduate and graduate health and life science degrees. Most comparable peer to Parker in terms of DC focus, integrative health expansion, and multi-program private university structure.
• Northwestern Health Sciences University: Private health sciences university in Bloomington, Minnesota, with a strong Doctor of Chiropractic program plus programs in massage therapy, acupuncture, and integrative health. Closely parallels Parker's mix of chiropractic and adjunct health credentialing.
• University of Western States: Private health sciences university in Portland, Oregon, offering Doctor of Chiropractic, master's programs in nutrition, and sports medicine degrees. Comparable as a private DC-anchored institution extending into adjacent health science fields.
• National University of Health Sciences: Private health sciences university in Lombard, Illinois, with Doctor of Chiropractic, ND, and allied health programs. Direct competitor in DC and integrative health sciences education with overlapping degree portfolio to Parker.
• Cleveland University-Kansas City (formerly Cleveland Chiropractic College): Private health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, with Doctor of Chiropractic and Bachelor of Science in Biology/Nutrition programs. Comparable specialized DC-anchored private institution with similar scale and program mix to Parker.
• Southern California University of Health Sciences: Private health sciences university in Whittier, California, offering Doctor of Chiropractic, PA, and integrative health programs. Directly comparable private specialized institution with overlapping program portfolio and similar accreditation footprint.
• Bastyr University: Private university in Kenmore, Washington, with programs in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, and integrative health sciences. Comparable private health-focused university offering specialized graduate degrees in adjacent health disciplines.

Regional players

• Texas Chiropractic College: Private chiropractic college in Pasadena, Texas, focused primarily on the Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Regional peer to Parker with overlapping Texas market presence and similar DC program focus, though more narrowly specialized than Parker's broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/parkeruniv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ParkerUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/ParkerUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parker-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/parkeruniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Parker University