University of Western States
University of Western States is a private, nonprofit Portland-based health sciences university (founded 1904) delivering chiropractic, naturopathic, and graduate-level programs across three colleges, with tuition-driven revenue and an on-campus Connected Whole Health Clinic.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1904
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Western States does
University of Western States (UWS) is a private, nonprofit, single-campus institution headquartered at 8000 NE Tillamook Street in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1904 and operating continuously for over 120 years in whole-person health education. It is a constituent member of The Community Solution Education System. UWS delivers instruction through three colleges — the College of Chiropractic (housing the second-oldest chiropractic degree program in the world), the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and the College of Graduate Studies — offering doctoral, master's, and certificate pathways in chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, sports medicine, clinical mental health counseling, occupational therapy, sport and performance psychology, and human nutrition. Clinical training is delivered through the on-campus Connected Whole Health Clinic, a Community-Based Clinical Education (CBCE) model, and a Standardized Patient simulation program.
The underlying technology stack is conventional educational infrastructure: a Canvas-based learning management system, a library platform hosting health-sciences databases (MEDLINE Ultimate, CINAHL Ultimate, AccessMedicine), an Academic Commons portal for faculty/student resources, and an IRB Hub for human-subjects research governance under federal assurance (FWA00000851). The institution maintains online and hybrid delivery for select programs alongside the Portland campus, and operates a PACE-approved Continuing Education arm offering both asynchronous courses and in-person events such as Summer in December.
UWS's revenue model is tuition-driven, billed quarterly to degree-program students, supplemented by federal Title IV financial aid disbursements, continuing-education course fees, and ancillary clinical and campus services. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the institutional website, blog content, SEO, admissions events, and email inquiry funnels. Customer segments are primarily individual prospective students in three vertical tracks (Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Graduate), with secondary segments in international students (including Canadian transfer pathways via the Camosun College MOU) and licensed healthcare professionals consuming CE credits. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
University of Western States firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Western States
- Legal name
- University of Western States
- Website
- https://uws.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1904
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- University of Western States is a private, nonprofit Portland-based health sciences university (founded 1904) delivering chiropractic, naturopathic, and graduate-level programs across three colleges, with tuition-driven revenue and an on-campus Connected Whole Health Clinic.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Western States industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Health Sciences Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.) (EDAHAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Holistic & Integrative Wellness Education (Ayurveda, Traditional Practices) (EDAAAHAH)
Keywords
Where University of Western States is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of Western States business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition for degree programs including Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and graduate programs. Fee-based services include application fees, continuing education courses, and certification programs.
- Federal Financial Aid: Institutional participation in federal student aid programs including Title IV funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Quarterly | Degree Programs - Domestic Students |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Degree Programs - International Students |
| Unit Pricing | Per course | Continuing Education Courses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
University of Western States product offering
Product offeringCore offering
University of Western States delivers whole-person health education through three colleges offering the Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and a range of graduate degrees and certificates in fields such as sports medicine, clinical mental health counseling, occupational therapy, and human nutrition. The institution supplements classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training at its Connected Whole Health Clinic and through a Community-Based Clinical Education model and Standardized Patient Program. It also provides PACE-approved continuing education courses for licensed healthcare professionals seeking license renewal.
Product overview
University of Western States is a whole-person health education institution offering a platform of academic programs across three colleges: the College of Chiropractic (second oldest chiropractic program globally), the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and the College of Graduate Studies. The institution provides clinical training through the Connected Whole Health Clinic and Community-Based Clinical Education programs, alongside a Standardized Patient Program for simulation-based learning. Continuing Education services offer online and in-person courses for practicing health professionals. The university's IRB Hub provides research ethics oversight. Founded in 1904, the institution recently underwent a visual identity rebrand in April 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program (College of Chiropractic)
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Degree Program (College of Naturopathic Medicine)
- College of Graduate Studies Programs
- Continuing Education Program for Healthcare Professionals
Quantifiable outcome
- Second oldest chiropractic program globally
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Western States
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
University of Western States technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
University of Western States partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Camosun CollegecoreThe Community Solution Education System signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Camosun College to develop academic pathways for students, including a transfer pathway for kinesiology students to the Doctor of Chiropractic program at UWS. Partnership aims to facilitate international educational opportunities and enhance community impact through collaboration.
- USA Deaf Sports FederationflagshipHistoric first partnership between UWS and USA Deaf Sports Federation to provide free mental performance and mental health consultation to approximately 350 U.S. athletes competing at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. Program represents first time sport and performance consultation sessions will be free for Deaflympic athletes. Becky Clark, a former Deaflympic medalist, leads the initiative.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of Western States competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bastyr University: Bastyr is a private non-profit university in Kenmore, Washington offering naturopathic medicine and other whole-person health science degrees. Its naturopathic medicine program and integrative health focus make it the most directly comparable peer to UWS's College of Naturopathic Medicine.
- National University of Health Sciences: NUHS is a private non-profit institution in Lombard, Illinois offering chiropractic, naturopathic, and oriental medicine programs. Its multi-discipline whole-person health structure closely mirrors UWS's three-college portfolio.
- Palmer College of Chiropractic: Palmer is the flagship chiropractic institution in Davenport, Iowa and the oldest chiropractic college in the world. It is the most direct comparable to UWS's College of Chiropractic given overlapping DC curriculum and shared professional pipeline.
- Life University: Life University in Marietta, Georgia is a private health sciences institution centered on chiropractic with graduate programs in positive psychology, nutrition, and sport health science. It competes with UWS for chiropractic students and shares an emphasis on whole-person health.
- Logan University: Logan University in Chesterfield, Missouri offers chiropractic, health sciences, and human biology programs with an evidence-based focus. It is directly comparable to UWS in the DC education market.
- Southern California University of Health Sciences: SCU is a private health sciences university offering chiropractic, physician assistant, and acupuncture programs. Its multi-discipline structure and integrative approach mirror UWS's whole-person health model.
- Parker University: Parker University in Dallas, Texas offers chiropractic and health sciences programs. It competes with UWS for DC students nationally and overlaps on whole-person health positioning.
- Northwestern Health Sciences University: Northwestern in Bloomington, Minnesota offers chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy programs. Its multi-modality whole-person health portfolio and DC focus make it a comparable peer.
Regional players
- National University of Natural Medicine: NUNM is also located in Portland, Oregon and offers naturopathic and classical Chinese medicine programs. It competes directly with UWS's College of Naturopathic Medicine in the same metropolitan market.
- Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College: CMCC is a Canadian chiropractic institution in Toronto and a transfer pathway partner candidate. It is comparable to UWS's chiropractic program and relevant to UWS's Camosun College international pathway strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Western States social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Western States compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
University of Western States financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Western States leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
University of Western States funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Western States M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Western States
What does University of Western States do?
University of Western States delivers whole-person health education through three colleges offering the Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and a range of graduate degrees and certificates in fields such as sports medicine, clinical mental health counseling, occupational therapy, and human nutrition. The institution supplements classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training at its Connected Whole Health Clinic and through a Community-Based Clinical Education model and Standardized Patient Program. It also provides PACE-approved continuing education courses for licensed healthcare professionals seeking license renewal.
Is University of Western States a public or private company?
University of Western States is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Western States founded?
University of Western States was founded in 1904. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is University of Western States based?
University of Western States is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of Western States make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are federal Financial Aid.
Who are University of Western States's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bastyr University, National University of Health Sciences, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Life University, Logan University, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Parker University and Northwestern Health Sciences University. Regional players are National University of Natural Medicine and Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.
Does University of Western States have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Western States.
What industry is University of Western States in?
University of Western States's product category is Health Sciences Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAGAH, Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAHALAF, Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.