Marshall B. Ketchum University

What Marshall B. Ketchum University does

Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU) is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) health sciences university headquartered in Fullerton, California, with 101-250 employees. It was formed in 2014 and renamed in 2016 by consolidating the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO, founded 1904), the School of Physician Assistant Studies (SPAS), and the College of Pharmacy (COP) under a single university umbrella, and most recently added a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program in 2026. The institution delivers graduate-level professional degrees — OD, MS in Vision Science, PA, PharmD, and DMSc — using an interprofessional education (IPE) model that trains students from different disciplines to collaborate on patient care.

Its core technology and operational platform centers on integrated clinical training through University Eye Centers in Los Angeles and Anaheim and the Ketchum Health Medical Clinic in Fullerton, where supervised students deliver patient care. Educational technology includes Anatomage Tables for anatomy instruction in PA and medical science programs. The university operates a campus store for merchandise and textbooks, and a dedicated Continuing Education department (ce.ketchum.edu) for practicing healthcare professionals.

MBKU's business model is tuition-driven nonprofit education, supplemented by clinical service fees from eye and primary care clinics, continuing education programs, and ancillary campus store merchandise sales. It markets through a mix of digital channels (website, social media on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Vimeo), peer advisor blogs, and event-driven recruitment including campus tours, admissions workshops, webinars, and program-specific information sessions. Customer segments include prospective professional students, community patients seeking affordable eye and primary care (particularly underserved populations in LA and Anaheim), and practicing healthcare professionals pursuing continuing education or doctoral credentials.

Name

Marshall B. Ketchum University

Legal name

Marshall B. Ketchum University

Website

https://ketchum.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Marshall B. Ketchum University is a private nonprofit health sciences university in Fullerton, California, offering graduate professional degrees in optometry, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, and medical science, supported by University Eye Centers and a medical clinic for clinical training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Optometry (EDAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Schools of Pharmacy (EDAHAGAE), Medical Schools (MD/DO Granting) (EDAHAGAB), Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy) (EDAAALAC)

Keywords

• Healthcare education programs
• Optometry education
• Physician assistant studies
• Pharmacy education
• Clinical training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fullerton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from tuition and fees for degree programs including Doctor of Optometry (OD), Master of Science in Vision Science, Physician Assistant Studies, Pharmacy (PharmD), and Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
2. Clinical Services Revenue: Revenue from patient care services at University Eye Centers in Los Angeles and Anaheim, and Ketchum Health Medical Clinic
3. Continuing Education: Revenue from continuing education programs for healthcare professionals through CE department
4. Campus Store and Merchandise: Revenue from campus store selling official MBKU merchandise including apparel, textbooks, and equipment

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Marshall B. Ketchum University is a private nonprofit health professions university that delivers graduate-level degree programs in optometry (OD), physician assistant studies, pharmacy (PharmD), and medical science (DMSc) under an interprofessional education model. It also operates the Southern California College of Optometry, the Ketchum Health Medical Clinic, and University Eye Centers in Los Angeles and Anaheim to provide supervised clinical training and patient care services.

Product overview

Marshall B. Ketchum University is a health care education institution offering multiple professional degree programs through its constituent schools: the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) for optometry, the School of Physician Assistant Studies (SPAS) for physician assistants, the College of Pharmacy for pharmacists, and the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) for practicing PAs. The university operates Ketchum Health University Eye Centers for clinical training and patient care, and provides a Campus Store for merchandise and academic supplies. An Interprofessional Education (IPE) initiative integrates training across programs, while Continuing Education supports ongoing professional development. The institution operates on a quarter-based academic calendar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) Doctor of Optometry Program MBKU's optometry school delivering the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program with a parallel MS in Vision Science offering, preparing future eye care professionals through clinical and classroom training.
• School of Physician Assistant Studies (SPAS) Physician Assistant program with low student-teacher ratios (8:1) that educates individuals to become compassionate Physician Assistants providing quality health care in collaborative environments.
• College of Pharmacy (PharmD) Pharmacy program preparing practice-ready graduates through the PharmD degree and experiential education for today's health care environment.
• Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) Program Fully online doctoral program for practicing Physician Assistants seeking growth in leadership, education, clinical advancement, and professional development.
• MS in Vision Science Graduate degree program offered alongside the OD program within the Southern California College of Optometry, supporting research and academic careers in vision science.
• Ketchum Health University Eye Center University-affiliated clinical site providing eye health and vision care to patients, with locations in Los Angeles and Anaheim Hills, where supervised optometry students gain hands-on clinical training.
• Ketchum Health Medical Clinic University-affiliated medical clinic providing primary care services to patients while training physician assistant and medical science students.
• Campus Store On-campus and online retail store located in the Warren and Carol Low Student Union selling official MBKU merchandise, textbooks, and equipment related to academic programs.
• Continuing Education Continuing education programs for health care professionals offered through MBKU's dedicated CE department to maintain licensure and advance clinical knowledge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Practice-ready graduates prepared for collaborative healthcare environments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Touro University: Touro operates multi-campus health sciences programs including optometry, pharmacy, PA, and medical schools. Private, mission-driven, multi-discipline health model — direct structural peer.
• Midwestern University: Midwestern University operates multi-college health professions universities (optometry, pharmacy, PA, dental, etc.) with similar interprofessional education models. Most structurally comparable peer to MBKU.
• Pacific University Oregon: Pacific University operates a College of Health Professions with optometry, pharmacy, PA, and physical therapy schools. Same multi-discipline private health university structure as MBKU.
• Western University of Health Sciences: WesternU is a private nonprofit health sciences university with colleges of optometry, pharmacy, PA, dental, and medical sciences. California-based multi-discipline private health university — high regional relevance.
• SUNY College of Optometry: State University of New York College of Optometry is a focused optometry-only institution. Closest single-discipline optometry peer in the U.S. and a direct competitor for SCCO applicants.
• MCPHS University (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences): MCPHS is a private health sciences university offering pharmacy, optometry, PA, nursing, and dental programs. Closely comparable multi-discipline health professions private university with similar tuition-funded model.
• University of the Incarnate Word - Rosenberg School of Optometry: UIW is a private university with an optometry school and other health programs (pharmacy, PA). Comparable multi-school private health education institution.
• Nova Southeastern University - Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine: NSU operates multiple health-focused colleges including optometry, pharmacy, medical, PA, and dental. Comparable multi-program private health professions university.
• Salus University: Salus University (formerly Pennsylvania College of Optometry) is a private health professions university focused on optometry, audiology, PA, and biomedical sciences. Directly comparable optometry-anchored multi-health model.

Emerging players

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions: RMUoHP is a graduate-only health professions university focused on doctoral-level healthcare education (DPT, PA, DMSc, OTD). Comparable to MBKU's DMSc online doctoral program positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/mbku
• Facebookfacebook.com/ketchumuniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3827142
• Instagraminstagram.com/ketchumuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@ketchumuniversity
• Xx.com/MBKetchumU

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Marshall B. Ketchum University