Longwood University

What Longwood University does

Longwood University is a public four-year institution and agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, founded in 1839 in Farmville, Virginia, and the third-oldest public university in the state. It serves primarily traditional undergraduate students through five academic colleges and a distinctive Civitae Core Curriculum focused on citizen leadership, while also offering graduate programs (including MBA and nursing), dual-enrollment pathways for high school students, and tuition-waived enrollment for senior citizens under Virginia statute. The institution competes in NCAA Division I athletics through the Big South Conference and maintains a historic residential campus with facilities including the Rotunda, Greenwood Library, the Joan Perry Brock Center, and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts.

Operationally, Longwood runs on standard higher-education technology infrastructure: Canvas for learning management, Ellucian Banner for student information systems, Watermark Insights for outcomes assessment, DegreeWorks for advising, Handshake for career services, Tk20 for teacher preparation credentialing, and Commonwealth of Virginia's Cardinal system for shared services. The revenue model combines in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees, state appropriations, philanthropic donations stewarded by the Longwood University Foundation (assets exceeding $100 million as of 2020, more than doubled under President W. Taylor Reveley IV since 2013), external grants and sponsored research, and auxiliary services. Affiliated 501(c)(3) entities — the Longwood Foundation, Real Estate Foundation, University Trust, and Alumni Association — handle endowment management, real property, annual giving, and alumni engagement, respectively. Distribution channels span on-campus residential education, distance/online programs, dual-enrollment partnerships with community colleges and high schools, and six regional alumni networks across Virginia.

Customer outcomes are the institution's primary value proposition: a 91% alumni satisfaction rate (one of only six Virginia publics above 90%), 96% employment or graduate-school placement of recent graduates versus an 83% national average, and the lowest average annual tuition increases among Virginia public universities. Strategic positioning leans on historical brand (1839 founding, 2016 Vice-Presidential Debate host, 2026 British Coat of Arms recognition), civic-leadership curriculum differentiation, and partnerships such as the Moton Museum civil rights site, which is advancing for UNESCO World Heritage consideration.

Name

Longwood University

Legal name

Longwood University

Website

https://longwood.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1839

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Longwood University is a Virginia public university founded in 1839, serving traditional undergraduates, graduate students, dual-enrollment high schoolers, and senior citizens through a citizen-leadership-focused curriculum, Division I athletics, and a Farmville residential campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Farmville

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, including in-state and out-of-state students, along with various student fees for programs and services.
2. State Funding: State appropriations from the Commonwealth of Virginia as a public institution of higher education.
3. Philanthropic Donations: The Longwood University Foundation manages endowment and fundraising, awarding $2.9 million in scholarships for 2023-2024 academic year. Endowment exceeded $100 million in 2020.
4. Grants and Sponsored Research: External grants and sponsored research funding from federal, state, and private sources, with Policy 2019 governing external grants administration.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Longwood University is a public, residential institution of higher education in Farmville, Virginia that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five academic colleges. It operates small-class (average 18 students), full-time-faculty instruction anchored by its signature Civitae Core Curriculum in citizen leadership, supports Division I athletics in the Big South Conference, and extends reach through distance/online learning and dual enrollment with partner high schools.

Product overview

Longwood University is a public higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five academic colleges. The university's core educational products include the Civitae Core Curriculum focused on citizen leadership, the Cormier Honors College for high-achieving students, and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts cultural institution. Longwood provides comprehensive student services including career services (via Handshake), academic advising (via DegreeWorks), learning management (via Canvas), health and wellness services, and financial aid administration. The institution operates athletic programs (Division I Big South Conference) at the Joan Perry Brock Center and maintains physical campus facilities including the historic Rotunda for traditions and ceremonies. Longwood is supported by affiliated nonprofit organizations including the Longwood Foundation (endowment management, $100M+ in assets, $2.9M annual scholarships), Longwood Real Estate Foundation (property development), and Longwood University Trust (annual giving).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Residential four-year bachelor's degree programs across five academic colleges with small class sizes (average 18 students), full-time professor instruction, and the Civitae citizen-leadership core curriculum; for traditional college-age students.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's-level degree programs including MBA and nursing, established under President Cormier's tenure and supporting working professionals pursuing career advancement and specialized credentials.
• Civitae Core Curriculum Longwood's signature general education curriculum focused on citizen leadership, democratic participation, and civic engagement; recognized in 2023 by the Washington Post as an idea that can help repair democracy.
• Cormier Honors College for Citizen Scholars Honors college offering enhanced academic opportunities for high-achieving students with a focus on citizen leadership and scholarly development.
• Distance and Online Education Programs Distance education degree and certificate programs with dedicated privacy policies (Policy 1006) for remote learners who cannot attend the Farmville campus in person.
• Dual Enrollment Program Partnerships with community colleges and high schools allowing high school students to take college courses for both high school and college credit under articulation agreements governed by Policy 1002.
• Senior Citizen Continuing Education Tuition and fee waiver program under Virginia's Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, allowing Virginia residents aged 60 and older to audit college courses for lifelong learning.
• Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) University art museum and cultural center serving as a regional arts hub with exhibitions, educational programs, and community engagement in the visual arts.
• Longwood University Athletics Division I intercollegiate athletics program competing in the Big South Conference, offering 17 sports programs for student-athletes, with home contests at the Joan Perry Brock Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of recent graduates employed within their field of study or continued education, compared to 83% national average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Integration18 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Robert Russa Moton MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Longwood University's partnership with the Moton Museum began in 2015, honoring Barbara Johns and the student Civil Rights movement in Prince Edward County. The museum neighbors Longwood's campus and serves as Virginia's only civil rights National Historic Landmark. In 2024, the museum was advanced for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Longwood's Vice President for Student Affairs also serves as Senior Partner for Strategic Initiatives at the museum.
• Community CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreements with community colleges to facilitate student transfer and seamless educational pathways. Policy 1002 establishes the authority for entering into articulation agreements.
• Commonwealth Cyber InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirginia's cybersecurity research initiative providing $1.9 million in funding for 19 cybersecurity research projects. While Longwood is not directly mentioned in funded projects (Virginia Tech leads 11 of 14 AI projects), the initiative represents potential research collaboration opportunities across Virginia universities.
• Meyers & AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance company partner providing alumni insurance program services to Longwood graduates and their families, including auto, home, life, health, and travel insurance products.
• Liberty MutualminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMutual fund program partner for the Alumni Insurance Program, offering financial products and services to alumni and their families.
• BalfourminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Longwood University ring distributor providing class ring products and services; also sponsors the annual Ring Ceremony tradition.
• Virginia African American Advisory BoardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership affiliation through VP for Student Affairs Cameron Patterson, appointed by the Virginia Governor to advise on African American community affairs.
• New College InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVP Cameron Patterson serves on the Board of Directors; NCI serves the Martinsville and Henry County region with educational programming, including Longwood alumni networking.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Radford University: Virginia public university of comparable size and mission, serving similar in-state undergraduate population with a broad liberal-arts and professional portfolio. Most directly comparable public peer in scale and regional positioning.
• University of Mary Washington: Small Virginia public liberal-arts university emphasizing small classes, personal attention, and undergraduate teaching—closely aligned with Longwood's residential, small-class value proposition.
• Christopher Newport University: Virginia public university with similar small-class, residential liberal-arts focus and competitive admissions; a frequent benchmark for Longwood in U.S. News regional rankings.

Broad incumbents

• Virginia Commonwealth University: Larger Virginia public research university competing for the same in-state applicants, particularly graduate and professional programs (e.g., Longwood's nursing and MBA programs).
• James Madison University: Large Virginia public university ranked in the same U.S. News regional category; competes for high-achieving in-state undergraduates and Division I recruits.
• Old Dominion University: Larger Virginia public university offering online and distance learning at scale that competes with Longwood's growing distance/dual-enrollment programs.

Regional players

• Hampden-Sydney College: Historic Virginia private liberal-arts college near Farmville with strong alumni tradition; comparable brand-age and small-class profile, though private and male-only.
• Virginia Wesleyan University: Small Virginia private university with similar undergraduate residential model and Division III athletics, competing for the same regional applicant pool.

Emerging players

• Ferrum College: Small private college in southwestern Virginia with overlapping rural Virginia recruitment and liberal-arts offerings; emerging player in the same small-institution niche.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large-scale online and competency-based education provider competing for adult learners and dual-enrollment/transfer pathways that Longwood is expanding into.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/longwoodu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/longwooduniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/55130113010
• Instagraminstagram.com/longwooduniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/longwood-university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Longwood University