Drew University

What Drew University does

Drew University is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1867 in Madison, New Jersey, operating three schools: the College of Liberal Arts (1,626 undergraduates), the Drew Theological School, and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies (collectively 598 graduate students), for total enrollment of 2,224 students drawn from 35 U.S. states and 54 countries. Its core academic product is structured around the Launch program, which guarantees every undergraduate graduates with experiential learning outcomes, complemented by the RISE research institute, the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), and the TREC global education suite (including nycTREC's seven New York City semesters). The technology infrastructure is conventional for higher education — Moodle learning management system, Treehouse student portal, Google Workspace, Banner ERP, and a laptop program — with no proprietary platform.

The business model is tuition-and-fee-driven subscription revenue from residential undergraduates and graduate students, supplemented by room and board, summer programs, continuing education certificates, and philanthropic contributions managed by the Office of University Advancement. Drew distributes over $30 million annually in financial aid across merit-based scholarships (Drew Action Scholars, Drew Scholarship for the Arts), need-based aid (FAFSA-based), and transfer student scholarships. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: prospective students apply through Common App, Coalition/Scoir, with Early Decision (November 1), Early Action (December 1), and Regular Decision (February 1) deadlines, supported by campus visits, summer open houses, virtual tours, and social media (@drewadmissions on Instagram and TikTok). International recruitment is conducted via the INTO Drew partnership. Pricing for full-degree programs is subscription/annual; a $40 one-time application fee applies.

Name

Drew University

Legal name

Drew University

Website

https://drew.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1867

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Drew University is a private non-profit liberal arts university in Madison, New Jersey, enrolling 2,224 students across its undergraduate College of Liberal Arts, Drew Theological School, and Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, serving traditional undergraduates, graduate, and continuing education learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Liberal Arts University)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Selective/Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH), Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Liberal arts college
• Graduate programs
• Theological education
• Study abroad programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate degree programs including tuition, fees, and related educational services
2. Graduate Tuition: Revenue from Caspersen School of Graduate Studies and Drew Theological School master's and doctoral programs
3. Room and Board: Housing and dining services revenue from residential students
4. Summer Programs and Continuing Education: Revenue from summer programs, non-degree certificates, and continuing education offerings including Governor's School and Advantage Arts
5. Philanthropic Contributions: Donations and planned giving through University Advancement office, including annual fund, endowed scholarships, and capital gifts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Drew University is a private non-profit liberal arts university offering undergraduate degrees through the College of Liberal Arts, graduate and professional master's/doctoral degrees through the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, and theological degrees through Drew Theological School. Its core product is academic degree programs delivered alongside distinctive experiential components such as the Launch pathway, NYC-based semester programs (nycTREC), and mentored undergraduate research (RISE, DSSI), with over $30 million in annual financial aid supporting enrolled students.

Product overview

Drew University is a private liberal arts university offering undergraduate, graduate, and theological education through three schools: the College of Liberal Arts (undergraduate BA/BS degrees), Drew Theological School (theological degrees), and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies (professional and humanities graduate degrees). The institution's product portfolio centers on academic degree programs, a distinctive undergraduate experience called Launch (a purpose-driven pathway combining coursework with real-world experiences such as NYC semesters, research programs RISE and DSSI, and global study abroad), and continuing education/non-degree certificate programs. Drew also hosts a digital credentials platform for digital diplomas and certificates. The university's academic offerings span more than 40 undergraduate majors, 17 dual-degree programs, 14 master's and doctoral degrees, and 13 non-degree certificate programs across the three schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Launch: Drew's one-of-a-kind, leading edge path to an undergraduate degree that ensures every student graduates with purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based resume—guaranteed.
• RISE (Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti)
• DSSI (Drew Summer Science Institute)
• TREC (The Resource for Education in Cross-Cultural Understanding)
• Center for Civic Engagement

Products and services

• Launch A distinctive undergraduate experience program guaranteeing every student graduates with purpose, transferable skills, a mentor network, and an experience-based resume through a structured pathway combining coursework, NYC semesters, research, and global study abroad.
• College of Liberal Arts The undergraduate college offering more than 40 BA and BS degrees across arts, STEM, social sciences, and humanities disciplines with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Drew Theological School One of Drew's two graduate schools, offering theological and ministry degrees including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, and doctoral programs in Bible, Theology, and Religion.
• Caspersen School of Graduate Studies Drew's graduate school offering professional and humanities degrees including Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), MS in Data Science, MS in Finance, MEd, and MLitt/DLitt in Arts & Letters.
• nycTREC A semester program immersing students in professional environments in New York City across tracks including Wall Street, United Nations, museums, theatre, media, and contemporary art.
• TREC Global Education Programs Drew's global education program offering semester and short-term study abroad experiences including nycTREC (NYC semesters), shortTREC, longTREC, and theoTREC.
• Dual-Degree Programs Academic partnerships with schools in the New York metropolitan area and beyond that enable students to earn dual degrees, saving time and tuition costs, including programs in engineering, law, medicine, data science, finance, forestry, environmental management, and teaching.
• Non-Degree Certificate Programs Certificate programs offered through Drew's graduate and theological schools covering areas such as data science, conflict resolution, medical humanities, theological studies, ESL, teaching writing, and teacher certification.
• RISE (Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti) A professionally-mentored scientific research program pairing undergraduate students with retired industry scientists for hands-on research experiences in Drew's laboratories.
• DSSI (Drew Summer Science Institute) An intensive summer research program providing undergraduate students with mentored scientific research opportunities during the summer term.
• New College for Personalized Higher Education A new college launching spring 2026 with an initial cohort of 12-15 students, offering innovative, flexible learning pathways designed to address workforce and societal needs in collaboration with the Milken Institute.
• Digital Diplomas and Certificates Digital diploma and certificate issuance via Credly platform, allowing graduates to share verified academic credentials online with credential validation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates with purpose, skills, mentor network, and experience-based resume guaranteed through Launch program
• +2 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Milken InstituteflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025Collaboration to support the launch of Drew's new college aimed at reimagining higher education. The initiative focuses on innovative, flexible learning pathways with first cohort launching in spring 2026. Milken Institute provides strategic support for addressing workforce and societal needs.
• BloomboardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced May 2024 to provide on-the-job bachelor's degrees in elementary education for paraprofessionals. Addresses teacher shortage in New Jersey by offering pathways for paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor's degree while working.
• Seton Hall University (Stillman School of Business)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual-Degree in Accounting program, Drew's 19th dual-degree partnership. Enables students to earn degrees from both institutions, fast-tracking advanced degree completion.
• Various Medical SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBA/MD dual-degree programs providing pathways for students to pursue medical careers through combined undergraduate and medical school degrees.
• Various Law SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw dual-degree programs enabling students to earn combined degrees in law and undergraduate fields of study.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnernycTREC program includes United Nations semester with connections to Columbia University for global policy and international relations studies.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrew's nycTREC program offers UN semester where students engage directly with UN officials and diplomats, gaining hands-on international affairs experience.
• INTO Drew UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational student recruitment and support services through Tilghman International Center, helping international students navigate admissions and adjustment to U.S. higher education.
• Clergy and Religious InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheological School partnerships with Methodist and other denominations for ordination preparation, chaplaincy training, and ministry development through United Methodist Studies and denominational certificate programs.
• The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidency program bringing Chamber Music Society performances and educational opportunities to Drew's campus concert hall.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rider University: Private university in Lawrenceville, NJ (nearby Drew) with ~4,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable New Jersey private university with similar three-school structure and regional recruitment base.
• Gettysburg College: Private liberal arts college in Gettysburg, PA with ~2,400 students, Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and strong historic/civic identity. Matches Drew's size, academic profile, and Pennsylvania-adjacent liberal arts positioning.
• Muhlenberg College: Private liberal arts college in Allentown, PA with ~2,200 students and Lutheran (religious) heritage. Comparable in size, religious affiliation history, and pre-professional liberal arts positioning to Drew.
• Fairleigh Dickinson University: Private university in NJ with multiple campuses and largest private university in New Jersey. Comparable New Jersey private institution with international student focus and undergraduate/graduate programs.
• Trinity College: Private liberal arts college in Hartford, CT with ~2,200 students and historic religious affiliation (Episcopalian, similar to Drew's Methodist roots). Directly comparable in size, religious heritage, and urban-adjacent positioning.
• Lafayette College: Private liberal arts college in Easton, PA with ~2,700 students, Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and strong STEM/business programs. Highly comparable in size, selectivity, and Northeast liberal arts positioning to Drew.
• Bucknell University: Private university in Lewisburg, PA combining liberal arts with selected graduate programs, ~3,800 students. Closely matches Drew's three-school model (undergrad + graduate) and Northeast liberal arts positioning.
• Colgate University: Highly selective private liberal arts university in Hamilton, NY with ~3,300 students. Comparable residential liberal arts model with strong outcomes, similar selectivity band, and Phi Beta Kappa chapter like Drew.

Broad incumbents

• Lehigh University: Larger private research university in Bethlehem, PA with ~7,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable Northeast Pennsylvania/New Jersey private institution with overlapping liberal arts + professional degree model.
• Seton Hall University: Larger Catholic private university in South Orange, NJ with ~10,000 students. Drew's dual-degree partner (Accounting) with overlapping NJ recruitment and graduate program offerings. Comparable as a broader NJ private higher-ed incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/drewadmissions
• TikToktiktok.com/@drewadmissions
• Xx.com/drewuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/23027186981
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drew-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Drew University