Salve Regina University

What Salve Regina University does

Salve Regina University is a private Catholic university founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1934 and headquartered on an 80-acre oceanfront campus along the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. The institution offers more than 100 degree programs across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online levels, supplemented by 200 study abroad programs in 45 countries, a Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy (a wholly owned research subsidiary), and the proprietary Salve Compass four-year experiential framework that structures student development from matriculation through career placement.

The university generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees, with secondary streams from federal and state grants (including a $1.95M HRSA mobile health grant in October 2025), philanthropic donations (anchored by a $75M historic fundraising campaign), campus events and venue rentals at Gilded Age facilities (Ochre Court, Casino Theatre, Young Building), and auxiliary services such as dining, bookstore, and mail. The go-to-market is a traditional sales-led admissions model supported by campus tours, alumni ambassador referrals, NCAA Division III athletics recruitment (20 varsity teams in the NEWMAC conference), and a multi-channel digital presence.

Salve Regina's operations are supported by a conventional higher-ed technology stack — Canvas LMS, Handshake career platform, 25Live scheduling, Parchment transcript services, and a campus portal — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. The institution reports 251-500 employees, a 26,000-alumni network, and a 97% post-graduation employment or graduate-school placement rate (10-year average). Leadership is headed by President Kelli J. Armstrong, Ph.D., with governance from a Board of Trustees chaired by Cheryl E. Mrozowski '70.

Name

Salve Regina University

Legal name

Salve Regina University

Website

https://salve.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Salve Regina University is a private Catholic university in Newport, Rhode Island, offering 100+ undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs to a distributed base of individual student customers, with revenue from tuition, grants, donations, and campus event services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Liberal arts education
• Experiential learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including full-time, part-time, and online programs. Fee-based services including application fees, transcript requests ($10 per copy), and various campus services.
2. Grants and Donations: Federal and state grant funding (e.g., $1.95M HRSA grant for mobile health program), philanthropic donations through fundraising campaigns ($75M historic campaign), and alumni giving programs.
3. Campus Events and Venues: Revenue from hosting conferences, weddings, corporate events, and photo sessions at campus venues including Ochre Court, Young Building, McAuley Hall, and Casino Theatre. Also includes summer intern housing and alumni rentals.
4. Auxiliary Services: Bookstore operations, dining services, mail services, and other student support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Salve Regina University is a private Catholic institution of higher education that delivers undergraduate majors and minors, graduate and professional studies, doctoral programs, and online degrees across 100+ programs. It complements classroom instruction with the Salve Compass four-year experiential learning framework, NCAA Division III athletics, study abroad, career services, and student support resources. Auxiliary revenue is earned through campus venue rentals, conferences, weddings, bookstore, and dining services.

Product overview

Salve Regina University is a Catholic university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and student services. The core academic offerings include over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple disciplines. The university distinguishes itself through the Salve Compass program, a four-year experiential learning framework that guides students from foundation through career preparation, and the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, an on-campus think tank focused on civic engagement and public policy research. Additional services include the McKillop Library as a student support hub, the Casino Theatre for performing arts, and campus event services at venues including Ochre Court and the Young Building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pell Center: The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy is a multidisciplinary research center focused at the intersection of politics, policies and ideas. It promotes American engagement in the world, effective government at home and civic participation.
• Salve Compass
• Casino Theatre

Products and services

• Academic Programs Over 100 degree programs including undergraduate majors and minors, graduate and professional studies, doctoral programs, and online programs across disciplines including business, nursing, political science, humanities, and sciences. For prospective and current students.
• Salve Compass

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months (10-year average)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Providence JournalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Pell Center and The Providence Journal for "Story in the Public Square" initiative that studies, celebrates, and tells stories that matter. The nationally-broadcast show airs on public television and SiriusXM P.O.T.U.S. channel.
• New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalve Regina competes in NCAA Division III athletics as a member of NEWMAC conference with 20 varsity teams.
• Rhode Island PBScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor"Story in the Public Square" airs on Rhode Island PBS in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts on Sundays at 11 a.m. and is rebroadcast Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Audio version airs on SiriusXM P.O.T.U.S. channel 124.
• Nationhood LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterdisciplinary research, testing and dissemination project focused on counteracting authoritarian threat to American democracy, operated in connection with the Pell Center.
• Ocean State StoriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia outlet focused on long-form journalism serving all of Rhode Island, nearby Massachusetts and diverse communities, affiliated with Pell Center.
• NOSOLOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlumni-founded mental health organization with expanded partnership to foster culture of support and well-being for student-athletes and campus community.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Providence College: Private Catholic college in Providence, RI offering undergraduate liberal arts and graduate programs with NCAA Division I athletics. Directly comparable as a regional Catholic institution competing for the same New England student market.
• Fairfield University: Private Jesuit university in Fairfield, CT offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable as a mission-driven Catholic institution in the Northeast with similar enrollment scale and program breadth.
• Assumption University: Private Catholic university in Worcester, MA founded by the Augustinians of the Assumption. Comparable as a Catholic institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs with similar New England regional scope.
• College of the Holy Cross: Highly selective Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, MA. Comparable as a values-based, mission-driven Catholic undergraduate institution in New England with strong academic reputation.
• Sacred Heart University: Private Catholic university in Fairfield, CT with strong graduate and online programs. Comparable as a Catholic institution that has successfully scaled online and graduate offerings as a growth lever.
• Stonehill College: Private Catholic liberal arts college in Easton, MA founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Direct comparable as a faith-based New England liberal arts institution competing for similar student demographics.
• Roger Williams University: Private university in Bristol, RI offering undergraduate, graduate, and law programs with strong marine biology and architecture programs. Comparable as a competing Rhode Island private institution with similar residential liberal-arts model.
• Bryant University: Private university in Smithfield, RI focused on business and liberal arts with strong career outcomes focus. Comparable as a small-to-mid-size Rhode Island private institution emphasizing professional placement and experiential learning.

Regional players

• Johnson & Wales University: Private university headquartered in Providence, RI with career-focused programs in business, hospitality, and culinary arts. Comparable as a competing Rhode Island private institution with similar enrollment profile and professional-program emphasis.
• University of Rhode Island: Public flagship research university in Kingston, RI serving as the state's primary higher education option. Competes with Salve for in-state students, particularly through cost and program breadth advantages.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SalveRegina
• YouTubeyoutube.com/salvereginaU
• Facebookfacebook.com/148505260566
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salve-regina-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/salveregina
• TikToktiktok.com/@salvereginauniversity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Salve Regina University