Bethune-Cookman University

What Bethune-Cookman University does

Bethune-Cookman University is a private, historically Black university (HBCU) founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in Daytona Beach, Florida, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university operates four academic colleges offering 43 degree programs to approximately 3,048 students at a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, with the #2-ranked HBCU Nursing Program and the only accredited HBCU master's in athletic training (CAATE 10-year accreditation) serving as flagship academic distinctions. Core delivery is on-campus instruction at 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, supplemented by the 100,000 sq ft Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center and a student-managed Cub Paradise Restaurant used for hospitality training.

The institution's product portfolio has expanded significantly in 2024–2025. B-CU Global, launched in November 2025, is an online learning platform delivering bachelor's and master's degrees to global learners via the Canvas LMS. B-CU Futures, announced November 2025 for Spring 2026 enrollment, adds eight new programs in actuarial science, applied AI, cybersecurity, digital marketing, esports administration, healthcare administration, and supply chain management, plus an MBA Healthcare Administration track. Supporting infrastructure includes the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth (funded by a $250K JPMorgan Chase grant), the Influxer NIL merchandise partnership for student-athletes, and SWAC conference NCAA Division I athletics.

Revenue is generated through three streams: tuition and fees (subscription/recurring, processed via CASHNet), institutional grants from government programs, private foundations, and corporate partners (NBA Foundation/Orlando Magic $300K, JPMorgan Chase $250K, USTA $100K, James Patterson $75K, Hyatt $5K), and donations/endowments (including a $200K former-trustee endowment). Customer segments are individual prospective and current students — traditional undergraduates, transfer students, international students, and online learners — targeted through a direct-to-consumer admissions motion, digital marketing, campus events, and the Florida Classic rivalry game (2M+ annual spectators, $30M annual economic impact). The go-to-market relies on the HBCU brand, athletic programs, alumni network, and high-profile external partnerships (NFL, Disney, Milken Institute, Toyota).

Name

Bethune-Cookman University

Legal name

Bethune-Cookman University

Website

https://cookman.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Bethune-Cookman University is a private historically Black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving 3,048 students across 43 degree programs in four colleges. Founded in 1904, it generates revenue from tuition, grants, and donations, and has expanded into online learning (B-CU Global) and eight new degree programs (B-CU Futures).

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

Private Nonprofit HBCUs (EDAHAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Teaching-Focused & Liberal Arts HBCUs (EDAHAMAF), Graduate & Professional-Program HBCUs (e.g., law/education/business) (EDAHAMAK)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online learning platform
• Nursing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Daytona Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

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, along with various student fees including application fees, enrollment fees, and course-specific charges.
2. Grants and Funding: Institutional grants from government programs, private foundations, and corporate partners for specific initiatives such as hospitality technology, athletics, and student support.
3. Donations and Endowments: Charitable contributions from alumni, foundations, and community supporters to support scholarships, programs, and institutional development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bethune-Cookman University is a private, historically Black university (HBCU) in Daytona Beach, Florida, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four colleges, with concentrations in nursing, business administration with hospitality management, rehabilitation sciences, and emerging fields like AI, cybersecurity, and esports. The university delivers traditional on-campus instruction, an online learning platform (B-CU Global), and NCAA Division I athletics through the SWAC conference. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, supplemented by grants from government programs, foundations, and corporate partners, as well as donations and endowments from alumni and supporters.

Product overview

Bethune-Cookman University operates as a higher education institution offering a diverse portfolio of academic programs and student services. The core educational offerings include traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple colleges (Business, Education, Natural/Health Sciences, Science/Engineering/Mathematics), with notable strengths in nursing (ranked #2 HBCU Nursing Program) and hospitality business education. The university has launched B-CU Futures (Spring 2026) — eight innovative degree programs in emerging fields including Applied AI, Cybersecurity, Esports, and Healthcare Administration — alongside B-CU Global, an online learning platform extending degree access worldwide. Student support infrastructure includes Canvas LMS, CASHNet payment processing, and specialized training facilities like the Cub Paradise Restaurant for hospitality students and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth. Athletic programs compete in the SWAC conference, and the institution maintains a 100,000 sq ft Performing Arts Center valued at $23 million.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B-CU Global: Technologically advanced online learning platform that democratizes access to bachelor's and master's degree programs, reaching learners across the globe.
• B-CU Futures
• The Pride

Products and services

• B-CU Futures Degree Programs A portfolio of eight forward-thinking undergraduate degree programs and one MBA track launching in Spring 2026, designed for emerging industries and technologies. Programs include Actuarial Science, Applied AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Esports Administration, Healthcare Administration, and Supply Chain Management. Targeted at prospective students seeking credentials aligned with future workforce demands.
• B-CU Global Online Learning Platform Online learning platform that provides access to bachelor's and master's degree programs for global learners, featuring digital innovation and remote education capabilities. Enables prospective and current students worldwide to earn accredited B-CU degrees without relocating to the Daytona Beach campus.
• Master of Athletic Training Program CAATE-accredited master's degree program producing licensed athletic trainers eligible for national licensure exams, providing care in sports medicine and physical rehabilitation. The only accredited HBCU program of its kind, holding ten years of full accreditation with zero non-compliances across 94 standards.
• Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate Program 12-month certificate program preparing individuals for acute care and long-term care settings with foundational knowledge in arts, biological sciences, and practical nursing. Achieved 100% NCLEX-PN first-attempt pass rate for the inaugural cohort.
• Traditional Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs Core academic portfolio of 43 degree programs across four colleges (Business, Education, Natural/Health Sciences, Science/Engineering/Mathematics) delivered via on-campus instruction in Daytona Beach, Florida. Includes a #2-ranked HBCU Nursing Program and the only accredited HBCU master's in athletic training.
• CPRIT Hospitality Technology Training Project Hospitality technology training initiative featuring an advanced POS system at the student-managed Cub Paradise Restaurant, providing real-world restaurant operations and hospitality management experience for business administration and hospitality management students.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Milken InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2025HBCU Strategic Initiative and Fellows Program providing sophomore students with an eight-week rigorous curriculum, professional mentorship, and summer internships at top financial institutions. Program creates direct pipelines for HBCU students into finance careers. B-CU students Olivia Gwin and Kennedy Jenkins selected for second cohort.
• Myers McRaeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 25 February 2025Nationally recognized executive search firm engaged by B-CU's Board of Trustees to assist with identifying and recommending the next President of the university. The firm has a proven track record of identifying top-tier leadership for higher education institutions.
• ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2025Presenting sponsor of the Inaugural HBCU Flag Football Tournament at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. Five B-CU students nominated as Toyota HBCU Game Changers with potential $10,000 scholarships and all-expenses-paid travel for the Toyota Glow Up Classic in New Orleans.
• InfluxercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2024Athletics partnership for co-branded merchandise enabling student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Influxer handles fulfillment, customer service, and creative elements for personalized apparel. Each student-athlete receives their own webpage to showcase and sell personalized merchandise. Influxer is partnered with over 100 universities including Oklahoma, LSU, Houston, and SMU.
• National Football League (NFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFL Experienceship program connects B-CU students with career development, exposure, and networking opportunities through the Strength of HBCUs initiative launched in 2016. Students gain insights by networking with NFL leadership across various departments with only 32 spots available nationally.
• DisneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney on the Yard program bringing Disney experiences to B-CU campus. Disney halftime show featuring the Marching Wildcats during Florida Classic football games.
• United NationsminorOthersHistorical connection through founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune's participation as the only woman of color at the founding conference of the United Nations, establishing a legacy of international engagement.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Florida Memorial University: Private HBCU in South Florida offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Direct comparable as a Florida-based private HBCU with overlapping recruitment markets and similar enrollment scale.
• Florida A&M University (FAMU): Public HBCU in Tallahassee and B-CU's primary athletic rival via the Florida Classic. Direct peer in geographic market, student demographics, and SWAC athletics conference competition.
• Edward Waters University: Private HBCU in Jacksonville, Florida, offering baccalaureate and graduate programs. Direct peer in geography, mission, denomination affiliation, and small HBCU operating profile.
• Tuskegee University: Private HBCU in Alabama with strong programs in nursing, business, and sciences. Comparable as a private, denominationally-affiliated HBCU with a similar mix of liberal arts and professional programs.
• Clark Atlanta University: Private HBCU formed from the merger of Clark College and Atlanta University, offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable as a private, urban HBCU serving a similar student demographic.
• Xavier University of Louisiana: Private Catholic HBCU in New Orleans renowned for STEM and pre-med programs. Comparable as a small-to-mid-sized private HBCU with a strong health-sciences identity and similar enrollment profile.
• Hampton University: Private HBCU in Virginia offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple colleges. Comparable as a private, mission-driven HBCU with a strong brand in nursing and sciences.
• Morehouse College: Private men's HBCU in Atlanta with strong brand identity and liberal arts focus. Comparable as a private HBCU competing for similar students and donor ecosystems in the Southeast.
• Spelman College: Private women's HBCU in Atlanta consistently ranked among top HBCUs. Comparable as a high-prestige private HBCU with strong brand equity, alumni giving, and overlapping recruitment markets in the Southeast.

Broad incumbents

• Howard University: Largest private HBCU with comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Comparable as a brand-leading private HBCU, though substantially larger in enrollment, endowment, and program breadth than B-CU.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bethunecookman
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BCUCommunications/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/107007612661936
• Instagraminstagram.com/bethunecookman
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bethune-cookman-university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Bethune-Cookman University