Freed-Hardeman University

What Freed-Hardeman University does

Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is a private, Christ-centered institution of higher education founded in 1871 and headquartered in Henderson, Tennessee, serving approximately 2,192 students in Spring 2026 — a record for the sixth consecutive year. The university delivers instruction across five colleges (Arts and Sciences, Biblical Studies, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences, plus the Honors College), offering 58 undergraduate majors spanning 119 fields of study, 15 pre-professional programs, and graduate degrees including master's, specialist, and doctoral programs. Faculty are predominantly terminal-degree holders, with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 18, supporting the institution's personal-attention value proposition. Approximately 89% of students receive financial aid from institutional, federal, state, and outside sources, and 96% of undergraduates persist from fall to spring.

FHU's core technology stack is built on third-party education platforms rather than proprietary infrastructure: Canvas LMS for course delivery, Ellucian Colleague Self-Service (myFHU) for student information, Google Workspace for email, PaperCut for cloud print management, LibCal for study room reservations, WorldCat for library catalog access, Honorlock for online exam proctoring, ProcessMaker for academic workflow forms, and Pannellum-based virtual campus tours. Notable internally developed or branded tools include the FHU Passage Program (student support framework), the Only1 password reset system, the myFHU student portal, and the new FHU Comprehensive Charge Package (effective 2026-27) that bundles previously separate fees into a single tuition line. International enrollment spans 29 countries at record levels.

FHU's revenue model is a multi-stream subscription model anchored by tuition and fees, with diversified income from room and board, financial aid flows, donations, and event revenue. Full-time undergraduates pay a comprehensive charge of $13,525 per semester ($27,050 annually), with standard room at $2,290/semester and meal plans ranging from $1,440 to $2,550/semester, bringing the typical residential sticker to ~$36,310 annually; allied health (BSN, PTA) students pay $30,280 annually; graduate students pay $700/credit hour with no additional fees; online Associates of Art is $350/credit hour. Approximately 89% of students receive financial aid from blended sources, and the 62nd Annual Benefit Dinner has generated over $1 million annually for 25 consecutive years (cumulative contributions expected to exceed $40 million). Customer acquisition is sales-led through territory-dedicated regional admissions directors, supplemented by College Preview Days, a virtual tour platform, and alumni-driven legacy programming (Lion Cub Registration).

Name

Freed-Hardeman University

Legal name

Freed-Hardeman University

Website

https://fhu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1871

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Freed-Hardeman University is a private, Christ-centered university in Henderson, Tennessee, founded in 1871, serving approximately 2,192 students (Spring 2026 record) across 58 undergraduate majors, 15 pre-professional programs, and graduate degrees, with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 96% fall-to-spring retention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Christian Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Christian university
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Liberal arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Henderson

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. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Full-time undergraduate students pay a comprehensive charge of $13,525 per semester ($27,050 annually), which includes unlimited credit hours, counseling, tutoring, theatre productions, athletic events, printing, fitness centers, security, and parking. Room and board additional.
2. Graduate Tuition and Fees: Graduate students pay $700 per credit hour with no additional fees. Average cost significantly below national average for master's degrees.
3. Room and Board: Standard room charges of $2,290 per semester ($4,580 annually) and meal plans ranging from $1,440 to $2,550 per semester. Multiple meal plan options available.
4. Allied Health Programs: Allied health comprehensive charge of $15,140 per semester ($30,280 annually) for BSN and PTA programs, covering labs, simulations, testing, and clinical experiences.
5. Online and Short Course Programs: Online Associates of Art at $350 per credit hour; Two-week short courses at $700 per credit hour.
6. Financial Aid Services: Institutional, federal, state and outside sources including grants, scholarships, student employment, student loans, and parent loans. Approximately 89% of students receive financial aid.
7. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Benefit Dinner generating over $1 million annually for 25 consecutive years. Total contributions expected to exceed $40 million. FHU Associates have raised over $4 million to benefit students.
8. Event and Activity Fees: Revenue from ticket sales for theatre productions, Makin' Music events, and other campus activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Freed-Hardeman University delivers Christ-centered higher education through undergraduate and graduate degree programs across five colleges (Arts and Sciences, Biblical Studies, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Honors College), spanning 58 undergraduate majors and 119 fields of study. The university offers online and flexible-format programs including an online MBA, the M.S. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, BSN/PTA allied health programs, engineering, and teaching licensure. Residential campus life includes chapel programming, dining, housing, NAIA athletics, and study abroad.

Product overview

Freed-Hardeman University is a Christ-centered higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The university provides undergraduate programs across 58 majors and 119 areas of study through five colleges (Arts and Sciences, Biblical Studies, Business, Education and Behavioral Sciences, plus the Honors College), and graduate programs including master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. Key academic offerings include an online MBA with specialized concentrations (Business Analytics, Accounting, Organizational Leadership), the new M.S. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (the only program of its kind in West Tennessee), engineering and physical therapist assistant programs, and various online and flexible degree options. Supporting infrastructure includes Canvas LMS for online learning, Ellucian Colleague Self-Service for student administration, the Hope Barber Shull Library with study room reservations, FHU Abroad study programs, and technology assistance services. New facilities like the Calendine-Davis Studio (photography and visual media) enhance hands-on learning capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Four-year residential undergraduate degree programs spanning 58 majors and 119 areas of study across five colleges, designed for students coming directly from high school and taught by full-time faculty (most holding doctorates) at a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's, specialist, and doctoral programs across theology, business, counseling, education, and exercise science, designed for working professionals with online, evening, and weekend formats at $700 per credit hour with no additional fees.
• Online MBA Fully online Master of Business Administration program with newly added concentrations in Business Analytics, Accounting, and Organizational Leadership, designed as a flexible, affordable, faith-based program for working professionals.
• M.S. in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology 34-credit self-paced online Master of Science program, the only program of its kind in West Tennessee, completable in 15 months and preparing graduates for the Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) credential.
• Engineering Program FHU's first engineering major housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, providing foundational engineering education integrated with the university's Christ-centered mission.
• Physical Therapist Assistant Program Associate degree program in physical therapy assistance covering clinical experiences and preparation for state licensure, charged at the allied health comprehensive rate of $30,280 annually.
• B.S. in Bible Degree Completion (Online) Online B.S. in Bible degree completion program in the College of Biblical Studies offering flexible online completion for students who have prior credit and want a Bible-focused bachelor's degree.
• B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program providing pre-professional preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology and audiology.
• B.S. in History with Interdisciplinary Emphasis B.S. in History with Interdisciplinary Emphasis designed to allow students to combine historical study with another discipline within the liberal arts.
• Minor in Gerontology Undergraduate Minor in Gerontology supporting student preparation for careers in aging services, healthcare, and related fields.
• Teaching Licensure-Only Program Post-baccalaureate Teaching Licensure-Only Program delivered fully online in 15-22 credit hours, aligned with Tennessee Department of Education, with tuition discounts for National Christian School Association member-school teachers.
• Library Services (Hope Barber Shull Academic Resource Center) Library services at the Hope Barber Shull Academic Resource Center providing electronic databases, eJournals, eBooks, videos, study rooms, interlibrary loans, course reserves, archives, and special collections, with study room reservations via LibCal and consortial borrowing through WeTALC.
• FHU Abroad (Study Abroad) Study abroad opportunities spanning one week to one semester across academic disciplines, available to FHU undergraduate students seeking international learning experiences.
• Honors College Honors program providing an enhanced academic experience for high-achieving undergraduates, with special borrowing privileges such as 24-hour reference book checkout and extended book checkout periods.
• Calendine-Davis Studio 6,600-square-foot photography and visual media facility on campus, including art gallery, digital gallery, and classroom spaces, supporting students in photography and visual media programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% undergraduate retention rate from fall to spring
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Forever CommunicationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerForever Communications is serving as the premier media sponsor for FHU's 62nd Annual Benefit Dinner event.
• National Christian School AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeachers at National Christian School Association member schools are eligible for exclusive tuition discounts toward FHU's Teaching Licensure-Only Program.
• West Tennessee Academic Library Consortium (WeTALC)minorOthersFHU participates in a library consortium agreement with nearby colleges and universities allowing students to borrow from each other's libraries. Participating institutions include Baptist College of Health Sciences, Bethel University, Christian Brothers University, Dyersburg State Community College, Jackson State Community College, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Rhodes College, Union University, University of Memphis, and others.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lee University: Cleveland, TN-based private university affiliated with the Church of God. Compares directly on Church of Christ-adjacent evangelical identity, similar enrollment scale, and emphasis on undergraduate residential education with a growing graduate and online portfolio.
• Bryan College: Dayton, TN private Christian college with comparable size, evangelical identity, and undergraduate focus; competes for similar Tennessee and Southeast recruits.
• Southern Nazarene University: Bethany, OK-based evangelical university of similar scale and faith-based positioning, providing a useful benchmark for tuition, retention, and outcomes in the small Christian university segment.
• Union University: Private Christian university in Jackson, TN affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Most direct comparable in geography, faith-based mission, enrollment scale (~3,000+ students), and academic portfolio (undergraduate + graduate + online offerings).
• Lipscomb University: Nashville, TN private university affiliated with the Churches of Christ — same denomination as FHU. Larger scale but matching faith tradition, regional Southern footprint, and broad college structure similar to FHU's.
• Trevecca Nazarene University: Nashville, TN private Christian university serving similar undergraduate and graduate markets with comparable size and faith-based positioning; competes in overlapping admissions territories.
• Carson-Newman University: Jefferson City, TN private Baptist-affiliated university with similar enrollment profile (~2,000-3,000 students), NCAA Division II athletics, and emphasis on liberal arts + faith integration in the Southern region.
• Bethel University (TN): Cumberland Presbyterian-affiliated university in McKenzie, TN with similar small-scale, regional, and faith-based profile. FHU already partners with Bethel via the WeTALC library consortium.

Broad incumbents

• Samford University: Larger private Baptist-affiliated university in Birmingham, AL with comprehensive colleges, NCAA Division I athletics, and similar faith-based identity — but serves as a benchmark for where FHU could evolve over time.
• Mississippi College: Larger private Baptist-affiliated university in Clinton, MS operating across similar undergraduate, graduate, and online program structures with comparable Southern regional reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fhulions
• YouTubeyoutube.com/fhulions
• Facebookfacebook.com/107187165205
• Instagraminstagram.com/freedhardeman
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freed-hardeman-university

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 Freed-Hardeman University