Auburn University

What Auburn University does

Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is a public research university college headquartered in Auburn, Alabama, delivering undergraduate and graduate engineering education across ten departments: Aerospace, Biosystems, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Computer Science and Software, Electrical and Computer, Industrial and Systems, Materials, Mechanical, and Wireless Engineering. The college serves approximately 5,516 undergraduate engineering students plus a graduate cohort, supported by an event-driven recruitment motion that relies on campus visits, college fairs, and engineering ambassadors. It complements teaching with 17 research centers and institutes, including the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) with its 1.7-mile test track, the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, and the Auburn University Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville.

Revenue mechanics combine three streams: tuition and fees from degree programs, federal and state research grants and contracts (a record $117.7 million in new research awards and contracts for FY24), and private philanthropy supporting scholarships, endowed positions, and capital projects. Federal funding sources are diversified across NSF (CAREER Awards, 6G wireless, lean manufacturing), NIH ($1.9M for rapid immunodiagnostics), the Department of Defense ($7M for lead-free defense electronics and other projects), the Department of Energy ($1.5M for desalination research), the U.S. Army, and NASA. Distribution is channeled through traditional undergraduate and graduate admissions, a transfer-student pathway, and Auburn Engineering Online and Continuing Education, which ranks #18 nationally for graduate online engineering. Marketing is primarily content- and event-driven via the #GINNing podcast (371+ episodes), Auburn Engineer magazine, social channels, and recruiting events.

The college's go-to-market emphasizes experiential learning and industry placement, with co-op and internship pipelines feeding major employers such as SpaceX, GE Aerospace, Apple (CEO Tim Cook is a 1982 Auburn Industrial Engineering graduate), Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and Chick-fil-A. Research differentiation rests on specialized labs (NCAME's predictive fatigue models for AM materials, GAVLAB autonomous racing at 163.6 mph, NCAT's pavement testing infrastructure) and on a faculty that includes the first full-time Auburn engineering professor elected to the National Academy of Engineering (Alice E. Smith).

Name

Auburn University

Legal name

Auburn University

Website

https://eng.auburn.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1856

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is a public research institution delivering undergraduate and graduate engineering education across 10 departments, serving 5,516 undergraduate students and operating 17 research centers with $117.7M in FY24 research awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Engineering

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Engineering Services (541330), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM-Focused Technical Universities (EDAHAEAD), Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL), Engineering Design & Project-Based Learning Programs (EDAMADAB)

Keywords

• Engineering education
• Higher education research
• Graduate engineering programs
• Additive manufacturing research
• Cybersecurity infrastructure research

Headquarters

HQ city

Auburn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Traditional higher education revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and related educational services
2. Research Grants and Contracts: Federal and state funding from agencies including NSF, NIH, Department of Defense, and industry partners. Secured record $117.7 million in new research awards and contracts for FY24
3. Private Philanthropy: Alumni donations and corporate partnerships supporting scholarships, endowed positions, and capital projects

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate engineering education across 10 departments (Aerospace, Biosystems, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Computer Science and Software, Electrical and Computer, Industrial and Systems, Materials, Mechanical, and Wireless Engineering), supported by 17 specialized research centers. The institution delivers hands-on experiential learning through the nation's largest student-run makerspace, co-op/internship programs with industry, and conducts applied research funded by federal agencies (NSF, NIH, Department of Defense) and industry partners.

Product overview

Auburn University, specifically its Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, offers a comprehensive suite of academic programs and research centers. The college provides undergraduate and graduate engineering education across 10 departments including Aerospace, Biosystems, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Computer Science and Software, Electrical and Computer, Industrial and Systems, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering. The institution also operates numerous research centers including the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), and the Auburn University Neuroimaging Center. The college produces publications including the #Ginning Podcast and various magazines like Auburn Engineer and Cupola Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: The engineering college of Auburn University offering undergraduate and graduate programs in multiple engineering disciplines
• #Ginning Podcast

Products and services

• Engineering Degree Programs (10 Departments)
• National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME)
• National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT)
• Auburn Engineering Online and Continuing Education
• #Ginning Podcast
• Auburn Engineer Magazine
• Factsheets

Quantifiable outcome

• Record $117.7 million in new research awards and contracts for FY24
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Stanford UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Auburn University and Stanford University researchers collaborated on a groundbreaking study about the global hydrogen economy, revealing that hydrogen leakage and methane emissions must be reduced for long-term sustainability. The study highlights that indirect warming from hydrogen could undermine hydrogen's climate benefits unless leakage is minimized.
• KYRA MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Students from Auburn University collaborated with KYRA Medical to develop a surgical device prototype that automates IV bag switching. The project was demonstrated at the AORN conference and involved extensive iterative design and prototyping, culminating in a functional device that enhances surgical efficiency.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA partnerships through multiple initiatives including Artemis II mission involvement, astronauts program support, and research collaborations. Multiple Auburn engineering graduates employed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and SpaceX. NASA veteran appointed chief engineer for Applied Research Institute.
• SpaceXmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaceX actively recruits Auburn Engineering graduates; multiple alumni employed including Nick Raciti and Matt Cobb joining post-graduation. SpaceX is described as loving Auburn Engineering graduates and needing more of them.
• GE AerospacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGE Aerospace hired Pooriya Nezhadfar as lead additive manufacturing specialist; multiple GE internships available through Auburn; Scott Carpenter ('20 mechanical) works at GE
• ApplemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Tim Cook is a 1982 Auburn Industrial Engineering graduate; Tim Cook Scholars program; multiple Auburn alumni employed at Apple; Apple co-founder Mark Norton's Adele startup
• Lockheed MartinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLockheed Martin employs multiple Auburn aerospace and mechanical engineering graduates including Ava Grelli with internship experience at Lockheed
• Mercedes-BenzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercedes-Benz U.S. International manufacturing in Vance, Alabama employs Auburn engineers; mentioned in context of Deena Sayegh's interest in industrial engineering efficiency
• Chick-fil-AminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEddie Seay (2016 wireless software engineering graduate) developed Chick-fil-A mobile app; Truett Cathy connection to company founding

Scale indicators10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Georgia Institute of Technology: A leading public research university and engineering powerhouse in the Southeast. Comparable as a large public engineering school with strong research output, defense/industry partnerships, and broad engineering departments serving a similar student market.
• Purdue University: Top-ranked public engineering university with comparable scale, 10+ engineering departments, and a national brand for industry pipeline into aerospace and manufacturing employers. Direct competitor for faculty, research funding, and out-of-state students.
• Virginia Tech: Public research university with a large engineering college, defense/aerospace research ties, and similar student-centered experiential learning model. Comparable in scale and Southeast/mid-Atlantic employer recruitment footprint.
• Clemson University: Southeast public research university with engineering programs across similar disciplines, automotive/aerospace industry partnerships, and a comparable public-research positioning. Direct competitor for in-region students and faculty.
• University of Florida: Large public research university with a nationally ranked engineering college, comparable research output scale, and similar state-university operating model. Competes for federal research funding and top engineering students.
• Texas A&M University: Public research university with a very large engineering college, strong defense and energy research funding, and comparable industry partnerships. Direct competitor for research dollars, faculty, and graduate students.
• NC State University: Southeast public research university with engineering programs spanning similar disciplines, notable industry research partnerships, and similar enrollment scale. Comparable in mission, employer pipeline, and rankings tier.

Regional players

• University of Alabama: In-state public research university with engineering programs that compete directly for Alabama-resident students and state appropriations. Adjacent positioning in the same recruiting geography.
• Mississippi State University: Regional public research university in the Southeast with engineering programs serving a similar student market. Overlaps with Auburn on federal research grants and regional employer recruitment.

Others

• Stanford University: Elite private research university collaborating with Auburn on the hydrogen economy study. Not a direct competitor but illustrates Auburn's ability to partner with top-tier institutions on emerging research topics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/auburnengineers
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AuburnEngineers
• Facebookfacebook.com/AuburnEngineering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/auburnengineering
• Instagraminstagram.com/auburnengineers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Auburn University