American University of Beirut

What American University of Beirut does

The American University of Beirut (AUB) is a private, non-profit, secular teaching-and-research university founded in 1866 and headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon. Accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, it delivers more than 130 bachelor's, master's, MD, and PhD programs across six faculties (Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Architecture, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Health Sciences, and Business) to over 8,000 students taught by approximately 800 faculty members in English. Its core operations are augmented by the AUBMC medical center, AUB Online distance-learning programs, a branch campus (AUB Mediterraneo in Cyprus), and a newly established Academic and Executive Hub in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

AUB runs on a multi-stream revenue model anchored by tuition and fees (semester/annual billing across undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs), philanthropic grants from foundations such as the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, and executive education revenue (including an AACSB-accredited EMBA ranked top-3 in MENA by QS 2025). Its technology stack combines Ellucian's AI-powered SaaS student information platform, the Moodle-based ProGreen LMS, Oracle E-Business Suite ERP, and the Banner SIS. Operational outcomes from the Ellucian deployment include $6M in incremental tuition revenue, 20–40% cost reductions, an 85% reduction in login barriers, and 45% expanded data-collection reach, recognized with the Ellucian 2026 Impact Award.

The university pursues a partnership-driven go-to-market across geographic, regulatory, and ecosystem dimensions: it co-established the Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning (which reached break-even by early 2025 and is being replicated internally), signed an MoU with Lebanon's Ministry of State for IT and AI on national digital transformation, partnered with KHDA and DIFC in Dubai, and runs the BOLDLY capital campaign for institutional fundraising. Despite operating amid Lebanon's compounding currency, political, and regional security crises, AUB has continued to expand internationally and diversify revenue through executive education and digital platforms.

Name

American University of Beirut

Legal name

American University of Beirut

Website

https://aub.edu.lb

Company type

Private

Founded year

1866

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The American University of Beirut is a private, US-accredited non-profit research university founded in 1866, serving 8,000+ students across six faculties and 130+ programs, with campuses in Beirut, Cyprus (AUB Mediterraneo), and Dubai (Academic and Executive Hub).

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

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• University degree programs
• Executive education
• Academic research
• Medical education

Headquarters

HQ city

Beirut

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Tuition varies by faculty and program level.
2. Philanthropic Grants: Funding from foundations such as Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for specific programs and initiatives
3. Technology Services Revenue: Ellucian Impact Award of $25,000 USD to support innovation initiatives
4. Executive Education: Revenue from executive education programs including AACSB-accredited Executive MBA

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The American University of Beirut (AUB) is a teaching-centered research university founded in 1866, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It delivers undergraduate, master's, MD, and PhD degree programs across six faculties (Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Architecture, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Health Sciences, and Business) and operates executive education programs and online learning through AUB Online and the Dubai Academic and Executive Hub.

Product overview

The American University of Beirut is a teaching-centered research university founded in 1866, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, offering undergraduate, master's, MD, and PhD degrees across six faculties: Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering and Architecture, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Health Sciences, and Business. AUB offers more than 130 programs. AUB Online serves as the university's online/digital learning platform, providing remote access to academic programs. The university also operates the Academic and Executive Hub in Dubai, offering executive education programs including an AACSB-accredited Executive MBA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AUBMC: American University of Beirut Medical Center, the university's healthcare facility
• AUB Online
• AUB Mediterraneo
• Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning

Products and services

• AUB Online

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached cumulative break-even point by early 2025 for Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning despite Lebanon's crises
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FBN Levant (Family Business Network)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Signed MoU to strengthen ties between academia and family enterprises in the region.
• Ministry of State for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership through memorandum of understanding to guide Lebanon's digital transformation strategy. AUB presented findings from a national data center benchmarking exercise to support the transformation initiative.
• ElluciancoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026AUB uses Ellucian's AI-powered SaaS platform for student information systems and operations. The partnership has resulted in measurable impacts including $6 million in new tuition revenue, 20-40% cost reductions, 85% reduction in login barriers, and 45% expansion in data collection reach.
• Lebanese GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Collaborating on national digital transformation through the National Data Center project in Dekwaneh, consolidating existing data centers with guidance from AUB's benchmarking exercise.
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Supported the establishment of the Academic and Executive Hub in Dubai, strategically located within DIFC, offering executive education programs including the AACSB-accredited Executive MBA.
• Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Government authority that approved the Academic and Executive Hub in Dubai, enabling the offering of executive education programs in the UAE.
• Spiritus Invictus FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Collaboration for CPR and AED training event at AUB Mediterraneo as part of the nationwide 'Tour for Life' campaign during Resuscitation Month.
• Ministry of Health (Lebanon)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Collaborated with Ministry of Health's Resuscitation Services for CPR and AED training event at AUB Mediterraneo.
• Abdulla Al Ghurair FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to establish the Abdulla Al Ghurair Hub for Digital Teaching and Learning, which reached cumulative break-even point by early 2025 despite Lebanon's compounding crises. The university subsequently chose to independently replicate the Hub's operational model across additional departments, representing a structural outcome.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ellucian: Technology partner that provides AUB's AI-powered student information SaaS platform. Included as an ecosystem participant (vendor) relevant to understanding AUB's technology stack and digital transformation impact.

Direct peers

• American University in Cairo: Private, secular, English-language, US-accredited research university in the MENA region offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The most direct functional peer to AUB given similar model, scale, and regional positioning.
• Lebanese American University: Private, American-style, US-accredited university also headquartered in Lebanon with multiple campuses. Closest domestic competitor for students, faculty, and donor base in the Lebanese market.
• INSEAD Middle East campus (Abu Dhabi): Top-tier business school with a Gulf campus and a global EMBA program. Direct competitor in the executive education segment, especially in DIFC and the broader MENA corporate market.
• American University of Sharjah: UAE-based, American-style, English-language university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including a business school. Competes with AUB for regional students, faculty, and corporate executive education.

Broad incumbents

• KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology): Saudi Arabia's flagship research university with deep sovereign funding and a STEM focus. A regional incumbent competing for top research talent, faculty, and graduate students that AUB also targets.
• NYU Abu Dhabi: Branch campus of NYU in the Gulf, backed by significant sovereign funding. Attracts top regional and global students, competing with AUB for premium academic talent and recognition.
• American University of Sharjah, Dubai campus / Gulf peers (e.g., University of Sharjah): Major UAE-based comprehensive university with broad program offerings. Competes with AUB for regional student pool and is a key regional incumbent.

Regional players

• Sciences Po (Reid Hall and Middle East programs): French elite institution with programs in the MENA region. Comparable as a peer based on similar liberal arts/social sciences model and engagement with the regional student and policy elite.
• Georgetown University Qatar: Branch campus of Georgetown University in Doha focused on foreign service and international affairs. Competes for similar student segments in the Gulf and adjacent regions, though primarily a regional player.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AUB_Lebanon
• Facebookfacebook.com/aub.edu.lb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about American University of Beirut