What Webster University does

Webster University is an independent nonprofit institution founded in 1915 and headquartered in Webster Groves, Missouri, operating a Global Campus Network that enrolls 13,000-plus students across the U.S., Europe (Vienna, Geneva, Leiden, Athens, Tbilisi), Central Asia (Tashkent plus multiple Uzbek partner institutes in Andijan, Bukhara, Jizzakh and Samarkand), and East Asia (Shanghai, Chengdu partner institutes), complemented by 50+ fully online degrees. Academically, the institution is organized into six schools/colleges — Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Health, George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, School of Communications, and School of Education — and operates sub-units including the Community Music School (a centennial community music program) and the Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship (WICS), an ecological-counseling training model placing MA scholars in medically underserved St. Louis primary-care sites.

The institution's core technology is the proprietary WorldClassRoom / WebNet+ online learning platform, integrated with Blackboard Ally for accessibility and federated through Microsoft Entra ID SSO; academic programs further leverage the SAP University Alliance ecosystem and a 2025 Cisco Networking Academy membership for industry-aligned business, cybersecurity and networking credentials. Revenue is generated primarily through per-credit-hour tuition segmented into standard ($775/credit hour graduate in 2025-2026; $800 in 2026-2027), corporate-partnership ($620), and military ($390) tiers, supplemented by automatic undergraduate scholarships of $12,000–$20,000 per year, auxiliary fees (application, matriculation, graduation, parking, transcript), residential housing ($2,690–$8,660/semester) and meal plans, plus grants (e.g., $8,000 RAC grant for the Webster Film Series, NSF Robert Noyce funding for the WESTbound STEM-teacher scholarship), philanthropic giving, and a dedicated corporate-cohort channel serving employer partners such as BJC, SSM, Peraton, Nidec Motor Corporation, Atlas Autism Health, Bi-State Development, EdAssist and Workforce Edge at the discounted partnership rate.

Go-to-market spans four channels: direct in-seat enrollment at U.S. campuses (Webster Groves main and San Antonio extended), self-serve online applications via applywu.webster.edu, an owned-and-partner international campus and WINS network, and B2B corporate-cohort contracts; recruitment is supported by dedicated undergraduate/graduate/international/transfer admissions counselors, military-affairs programming (USA Scholarship, NMFA, Fallen Patriots, Folds of Honor), and a family-engagement layer including the Webster Family Connection online community.

Name

Webster University

Legal name

Webster University

Website

https://webster.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Webster University is an independent nonprofit institution founded in 1915, serving 13,000-plus students globally across U.S., European, and Central/East Asian campuses, plus 50+ online degrees, with revenue generated through tiered tuition, corporate-cohort employer partnerships, housing, and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online degree programs
• Corporate cohort education

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition: Primary revenue stream from per-credit-hour tuition. Graduate tuition listed at $775/credit hour (2025-2026) and $800/credit hour (2026-2027) at St. Louis and extended U.S. locations; corporate partnership rate $620 (2025-2026) and $640 (2026-2027); military rate $390 (2025-2026) and $400 (2026-2027); School of Education rates, Doctor of Education ($940/credit hour 2025-2026), and Nurse Anesthesia flat per-session fee ($6,780 in 2025-2026).
2. Enrollment, Application and Administrative Fees: Ancillary fees including $50 graduate application fee, $130 doctorate application fee, $150 matriculation fee, $130 graduation fee, $40 readmission fee, $40 deferred-payment fee, $20 transcript fee, $20 counseling no-show fee, 2.95% online credit-card payment fee, plus international fees (STEM-OPT, OPT, I-20, activity/services, health insurance).
3. University Housing and Meal Plans: Residence hall housing ($2,690–$4,720/semester) and apartment housing ($3,280–$8,660/semester) plus required meal plans ($2,430–$2,870/semester) and an $80 housing activity fee.
4. Parking Permits: Annual/semester parking permits by tier — commuter ($190/year, $100/semester, $60/term/summer in 2025-2026; $200/year in 2026-2027), residence hall ($120), and Webster Village Apartment (included in rent, $190).
5. Grants and External Funding: Grants supporting cultural/community programs; example: $8,000 grant from the Regional Art Commission of St. Louis (RAC) awarded to the Webster University Film Series (second year of RAC support). Also funding from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program supporting the WESTbound Success Scholarship.
6. Philanthropic Giving and Donations: Donations via the Office of Community Resource Development, including donations to scholarship funds and donor recognition societies; "Make a Gift" CTA surfaced globally on the homepage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion6 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Webster University is an independent nonprofit university that delivers accredited undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate degree programs across six academic schools/colleges through in-seat instruction at U.S. and international campuses, fully online via the proprietary WorldClassRoom/WebNet+ platform, and through cohort-based corporate partnership channels. Ancillary offerings include the Community Music School, Webster Film Series, Webster Summer Camps, the WICS clinical training program, and the S.O.A.R. adaptive living program hosted with Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Community Music School of Webster University: A community music school within Webster University offering individual lessons, ensembles, preparatory programs and summer programs; recently celebrated its 100-year centennial.
• WINS: Webster International Network of Schools
• Webster Film Series
• Webster International Network Schools (WINS)

Products and services

• Webster University Online Webster's online higher-education delivery channel offering 50+ flexible online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate degree programs (including Data Analytics BS, Psychology BA, Doctor of Education EdD, MHA Health Administration, MBA, and Cybersecurity), delivered asynchronously via the WorldClassRoom/WebNet+ learning environment. Six online programs were nationally ranked in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Online Programs rankings.
• WorldClassRoom (Online WebNet+ Experience) Webster's online learning management environment that powers the WebNet+ Experience for online and hybrid students, with integrated Ally accessibility tooling for inclusive learning and supported by Faculty Development Center resources.
• Community Music School of Webster University Community-based music education program affiliated with Webster University offering individual lessons, group classes, chamber music, orchestras, Suzuki Strings, Jazz Collective, Young Composers Competition, summer programs, and the SLSO 'first of its kind' partnership, for learners from pre-college through adult.
• Webster Film Series Long-running public film series (25+ years) operated by Webster University's School of Communications that screens classic and independent films in the St. Louis region and hosts filmmaker/scholar events; supported in part by a $8,000 Regional Art Commission grant (second consecutive year, 2025) and Missouri Arts Council funding.
• Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship (WICS) Webster's Department of Professional Counseling program placing MA counseling scholars in paid internships at medically underserved primary-care sites across St. Louis City and North/South St. Louis counties, combining the WICS ecological counseling model with stipend support of $1,000/month for up to four terms.
• S.O.A.R. Program (Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adaptive Living Resource) Three-week residential training program hosted annually on the Webster University campus and operated by Lighthouse for the Blind St. Louis, serving 12 legally blind young adults ages 16–21 from across Missouri with instruction in independent living, adaptive technology, mobility, and career readiness. Celebrating its 20-year partnership anniversary in 2026 (2026 program ran June 7–27).
• Webster Summer Camps Dozens of summer day camps for K–12 youth (rising 3rd grade through adult) covering music (Jazz Camp, Piano Camp, Community Music School camps), dance (Senior/Junior/Mini Summer Intensives), science (Psychology, Health Data Explorers, Phage Camps), communications (Animation, Film Production, Game Design, Journalism, Sound Recording), and art (Ceramics, Illustration).
• George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology One of Webster's primary academic schools offering BS, BA, BBA, MS, MA, MBA, MHA, MPA, and certificate programs in business, computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, finance, HR management, marketing, procurement, supply chain management, and sustainability; houses the UNCOMN Cybersecurity Center and integrates the SAP University Alliance Program and Cisco Networking Academy curricula.
• College of Science and Health Webster's science and health academic college offering undergraduate and graduate programs in biology, psychology, chemistry, exercise science, nursing (RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNAP), environmental management, professional counseling (MA), and other health-related disciplines.
• Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Webster's fine arts college offering BFA, BA, and certificate programs including BFA in Illustration and Illustration certificate (ranked among the best in the Midwest by Animation Career Review) and Graphic Design (ranked among the best in Missouri by Animation Career Review).
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences Webster's humanities and social sciences college offering undergraduate and graduate programs including the Scale AI–enabled Technical Writing certificate program and other humanities and social-science disciplines.
• School of Communications Webster's School of Communications, which houses the Webster Film Series and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, film, animation, game design, and sound recording.
• School of Education Webster's School of Education offering graduate programs (including M50X/M45X/F50V/M49X tiers at $710/credit hour in 2025-2026, In-service 05/06/08 at $495/$165/$85), a Doctor of Education at $940/credit hour, and stackable scholarships including the NSF-funded WESTbound Success Scholarship (up to $15,000/year for ten scholars in 2026-2027).

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,000+ students served globally (U.S. and worldwide).
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Scale AIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Scale AI announced a partnership with Webster University to enhance technical writing education. The announcement was covered by the St. Louis Business Journal (bizjournals) on 2026-02-04; specific curriculum details were not disclosed in the article.
• St. Louis Community College (STLCC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Webster and STLCC expanded articulation agreements — eight additional academic paths making it easier for STLCC students to pursue bachelor's and master's degrees at Webster, plus five new STLCC-to-Webster Computer Science agreements in the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology.
• Jefferson CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Webster added six pathways for Jefferson College students to transfer into the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts and a separate nursing and communications degree pathway program.
• Northampton Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026All psychology-related coursework completed at Northampton Community College will apply to Webster Psychology degrees; transfer students gain access to Webster programs, scholarships and study-abroad network.
• Lighthouse for the Blind St. LouisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership hosting the S.O.A.R. (Summer Orientation & Mobility and Adaptive Living Resource) program on the Webster University campus each summer; 20-year partnership anniversary celebrated in 2026. The three-week residential program serves 12 legally blind participants ages 16–21, providing hands-on instruction in cooking, self-care, money management, home maintenance, career exploration, adaptive technology and independent travel. S.O.A.R. Director Kevin Hollinger leads the program; 2026 program ran June 7–27.
• Regional Art Commission of St. Louis (RAC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe RAC has awarded Webster Film Series grants for two consecutive years (including an $8,000 grant in 2025) supporting the 25+ year program that brings classic and independent films, filmmakers and scholars to St. Louis. RAC support funds equipment upgrades, filmmaker/scholar visits and films that would otherwise pass over the St. Louis market.
• Cisco Networking AcademycoreTechnology or IntegrationGeorge Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology joined Cisco Networking Academy, integrating Cisco networking/cybersecurity curriculum into Webster's programs.
• SAP University Alliance ProgramcoreTechnology or IntegrationWebster University participates in the SAP University Alliance Program, integrating SAP enterprise-software curriculum into the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology programs.
• Bi-State DevelopmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffice of Corporate Partnerships partner enabling cohort-based employee education for Bi-State Development (regional public-transit agency) at Webster's corporate-partnership tuition rate.
• Atlas Autism HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partnership enabling cohort-based employee education for Atlas Autism Health staff at Webster's corporate-partnership tuition rate.
• BJC (BJC Cohorts)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBJC Cohorts program delivers Webster degree programs to BJC HealthCare employees at the corporate-partnership tuition rate through a dedicated cohort channel.
• SSM (SSM Cohort Program)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSM Cohort Program delivers Webster degree programs to SSM Health employees at the corporate-partnership tuition rate through a dedicated cohort channel.
• Nidec Motor CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partnership enabling Nidec Motor Corporation employees to access Webster degree programs at the corporate-partnership tuition rate.
• PeratoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeraton Partner program delivers Webster degree programs to Peraton (aerospace/defense/government services) employees at the corporate-partnership tuition rate.
• Workforce EdgecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce Edge is a workforce/education benefits partner channeling employee learners into Webster degree programs through the Office of Corporate Partnerships.
• EdAssistcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdAssist education-benefits partnership routes employee learners to Webster degree programs through the Office of Corporate Partnerships.
• Goldfarb School of Nursing (GSON)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWebster operates a 2+2 Program with Goldfarb School of Nursing (GSON) — featured via alumni spotlight on Eleanor Dang (BA Biology '25 currently enrolled in the program).
• Fontbonne UniversitycoreOthersWebster-Fontbonne Teach-Out pathway enables Fontbonne students to transfer to Webster following Fontbonne's closure announcement.
• University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis (UHSP)coreOthersWebster-University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy Teach-Out pathway enables UHSP students to transfer to Webster.
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Music School partnership with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra — described as "a first of its kind" partnership in a centennial story from the CMS blog.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lindenwood University: Private nonprofit university in St. Charles, Missouri, with similar enrollment scale and regional Midwest positioning. Comparable mid-size private nonprofit competing for the same St. Louis-area undergraduate, transfer and online adult-learner market.
• Maryville University: Private nonprofit university in Town & Country, Missouri, with strong online programs and similar St. Louis footprint. Directly comparable on online degree portfolio, business/tech partnerships and corporate cohort strategy.
• Columbia College: Private nonprofit institution headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, with a strong online and adult-learner footprint and military-friendly tuition structure. Highly comparable on online delivery, military and adult-learner GTM.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with a national online degree portfolio exceeding 200 programs. Direct competitor in the online adult-learner market, particularly for corporate partnership and workforce-benefit channels.
• Western Governors University: Nonprofit competency-based online university with strong employer partnerships and a national footprint. Direct peer on online modality, tuition structure and corporate channel GTM in business, IT, healthcare and education.
• National Louis University: Nonprofit university with a national online portfolio and strong presence in education, counseling and human services. Directly comparable to Webster's School of Education, counseling and applied professional programs.
• Quincy University: Small private Catholic nonprofit university in Quincy, Illinois, serving a similar Midwest regional market. Comparable on size, mission and tuition-dependent business model, though at a smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Saint Louis University: Larger Catholic-Jesuit research university in St. Louis offering a broader portfolio including doctoral and medical programs. Competes for the same regional applicant pool but at a higher price point and with a substantially larger endowment and brand.
• University of Missouri–St. Louis: Regional public university serving the St. Louis metro with extensive transfer pathways and a much larger enrollment base. Public-sector incumbent competing with Webster for transfer, online and working-adult students at lower tuition.
• Washington University in St. Louis: Elite R1 research university in St. Louis with a much larger endowment and brand. Competes for top-tier St. Louis-area applicants and faculty; not a direct substitute but anchors the same regional talent market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/websteru
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WebsterUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/32419581551
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/webster-university-18732
• Instagraminstagram.com/websteru
• TikToktiktok.com/@websteru

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Webster University