MacEwan University
MacEwan University is a public post-secondary institution in Edmonton, Alberta, founded in 1971, serving more than 19,000 students annually through five faculties plus continuing education, offering degrees, diplomas, and certificates in in-person and online formats.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersEdmonton, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MacEwan University does
MacEwan University is a public post-secondary institution located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, founded in 1971 as a junior college and operating for over five decades as an undergraduate teaching-focused university. The institution serves more than 19,000 students annually through five faculties—Arts and Science, Fine Arts and Communication, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business—plus a School of Continuing Education, delivering degree, diploma, and certificate programs across full-time, part-time, in-person, and online modalities. Auxiliary student-facing infrastructure includes the myPortal student portal and, since a February 2026 partnership, Uwill-delivered teletherapy and 24/7 crisis support services. Capital expansion is underway with a new School of Business building, and a new Triffo School of Business was formally announced in April 2026.
The university's revenue model rests on three streams: tuition and student fees across undergraduate and graduate programs, provincial operating funding channeled through the Alberta Ministry of Advanced Education, and charitable donations from alumni, corporate partners, and community donors. Student acquisition runs through the centralized ApplyAlberta admissions portal, on-campus tours, online advising, and digital marketing via the official website and social channels (notably #macewanu). The customer base is segmented across future students, current students, alumni, international students, parents, and donors, with an operating geography concentrated in Western Canada and a single main campus.
From a technology and research standpoint, MacEwan has invested in virtual reality for student-led research projects and applied machine learning techniques to behavioral neuroscience research, most notably an infrasound study co-developed with the University of Alberta and published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. Faculty have secured New Frontiers in Research funding from the Government of Canada and the inaugural cohort of Chancellor's Research Chairs, alongside internal Teaching, Distinguished Researcher, and Emerging Scholar recognition programs. Governance is public, with a Board of Governors and a Chancellor as ceremonial head; the President is Dr. Annette Trimbee. Strategic activity in 2026 includes MOUs with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and the Ukrainian Foundation for College Education, the Uwill mental-health partnership, and two new associate vice-president appointments in student experience and alumni relations.
MacEwan University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MacEwan University
- Legal name
- MacEwan University
- Website
- https://MacEwan.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- MacEwan University is a public post-secondary institution in Edmonton, Alberta, founded in 1971, serving more than 19,000 students annually through five faculties plus continuing education, offering degrees, diplomas, and certificates in in-person and online formats.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MacEwan University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)
Keywords
Where MacEwan University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edmonton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MacEwan University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Student Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition and various program fees for undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple faculties including Arts and Science, Business, Fine Arts, Health and Community Studies, and Nursing.
- Government Funding: Provincial government funding for post-secondary education operations and specific initiatives.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from alumni, corporate partners, and community donors supporting scholarships, programs, and capital projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Per term/semester | Standard undergraduate tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
MacEwan University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MacEwan University is a public post-secondary institution that delivers undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs across multiple faculties (Arts and Science, Fine Arts and Communication, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business) plus a School of Continuing Education. Programs are offered in-person on its downtown Edmonton campus and online, supported by academic advising, career services, and student wellness resources including a teletherapy partnership.
Product overview
MacEwan University is a Canadian post-secondary institution serving more than 19,000 students annually, offering a portfolio of academic programs including undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across five faculties (Arts and Science, Fine Arts and Communication, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business) plus a School of Continuing Education. The university delivers programs through multiple modalities (in-person and online) and supports students with auxiliary services including the myPortal student portal and, via a partnership with Uwill, around-the-clock teletherapy and crisis support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Academic Degree Programs Dozens of undergraduate degree programs across faculties including Arts and Science, Fine Arts and Communication, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business, for prospective and current students seeking credentialed post-secondary education.
- Diploma Programs Post-secondary diploma programs providing vocational and applied education alongside or as alternatives to degree pathways for students seeking skills-based credentials.
- Certificate Programs Certificate programs offered through various faculties including the School of Continuing Education for professional development and skills training, targeting learners seeking shorter, focused credentials.
- School of Continuing Education Continuing education programs offering certificates, professional development, and skills training for adult learners, working professionals, and alumni.
- Online and Distance Learning Online and remote program delivery allowing students to complete courses and programs off-campus, with remote access to support services such as online counselling for those unable to attend in-person.
- Triffo School of Business Programs Business degree and credential programs offered through MacEwan's Triffo School of Business, including Allard Chair business programming, targeting students pursuing business education and careers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving more than 19,000 students annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MacEwan University
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MacEwan University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
MacEwan University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC)flagshipNew Memorandum of Understanding between MacEwan University and Agriculture Financial Services Corporation building on existing collaboration and shared commitment to Alberta's future. The partnership supports agricultural education and workforce development in Alberta.
- Ukrainian Foundation for College EducationcoreMOU signed to support educational collaboration and Ukrainian students pursuing post-secondary education at MacEwan University.
- University of AlbertacoreCollaborative research partnership on infrasound study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. Researchers from MacEwan University and University of Alberta jointly conducted experiments on low-frequency sound effects on human physiology and psychology, with approximately 36 undergraduate participants.
- UwillcoreMacEwan University partnered with Uwill, a student mental health and wellness company serving 500+ institutions worldwide, to expand access to online counselling and crisis support services for its 19,000+ students. Uwill provides teletherapy services, 24/7 crisis support, and access to diverse counselors matched to student preferences. The partnership responds to data showing 65% of Canadian post-secondary students rate their mental health as fair or poor.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MacEwan University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Athabasca University: Alberta-based public university specializing in online and distance education. Comparable to MacEwan's online/distance delivery modality and provincial funding model, with overlapping continuing-education offerings.
- Mount Royal University: Calgary-based undergraduate university with faculties in arts, business, health, and continuing education. Comparable institution profile to MacEwan in size, program mix, and Alberta funding context.
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT): Edmonton-based polytechnic offering diplomas, certificates, and applied degrees across business, health, and technology. Most directly comparable peer to MacEwan's diploma and certificate programs and the Triffo School of Business offering.
- Concordia University of Edmonton: Edmonton-based undergraduate university offering arts, science, and management programs. Directly competes with MacEwan for the same Edmonton undergraduate student catchment and donor base.
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT): Calgary-based polytechnic with comparable diploma, certificate, and applied degree programs. Direct competitor for Alberta students seeking non-university post-secondary credentials and applied business/technology education.
Regional players
- Thompson Rivers University: British Columbia public university offering undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and continuing education. Comparable institutional profile in size and program mix, but operates in a different provincial funding environment.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University: BC polytechnic university with degree, diploma, and certificate programs plus a Triffo-equivalent business school. Comparable institutional scale and program mix to MacEwan, though serving the Lower Mainland rather than Alberta.
- University of Lethbridge: Alberta public university with undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable provincial funding model and program mix, though located in southern Alberta and not directly competing in the Edmonton catchment.
Broad incumbents
- University of Calgary: Large Alberta research university with comparable undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Operates in the same provincial post-secondary funding pool and competes for the same student segments as MacEwan.
- University of Alberta: Major research-intensive university in Edmonton, Alberta. Directly comparable given same city, overlapping program portfolio, and joint research collaboration with MacEwan on the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience infrasound publication.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MacEwan University social profiles
Digital presenceMacEwan University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MacEwan University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
MacEwan University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MacEwan University 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 MacEwan University
What does MacEwan University do?
MacEwan University is a public post-secondary institution that delivers undergraduate degree, diploma, and certificate programs across multiple faculties (Arts and Science, Fine Arts and Communication, Health and Community Studies, Nursing, and the Triffo School of Business) plus a School of Continuing Education. Programs are offered in-person on its downtown Edmonton campus and online, supported by academic advising, career services, and student wellness resources including a teletherapy partnership.
Is MacEwan University a public or private company?
MacEwan University is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was MacEwan University founded?
MacEwan University was founded in 1971. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is MacEwan University based?
MacEwan University is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MacEwan University make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Student Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Funding and donations and Fundraising.
Who are MacEwan University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Athabasca University, Mount Royal University, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Concordia University of Edmonton and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Regional players are Thompson Rivers University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and University of Lethbridge. Broad incumbents are University of Calgary and University of Alberta.
Does MacEwan University have an API?
No public API is recorded for MacEwan University.
What industry is MacEwan University in?
MacEwan University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAE, Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.