CSU-Global

What CSU-Global does

CSU-Global (Colorado State University Global) is a 100% online, accredited public university and the online campus of the Colorado State University System, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The institution offers a comprehensive catalog of asynchronous degree and certificate programs, including roughly 19 undergraduate bachelor's degrees (e.g., Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Accounting, Business Management), 18 graduate master's degrees (e.g., MBA, M.S. in Data Analytics, M.S. in AI and Machine Learning, Master of Cybersecurity, M.S. in IT Management, Master of Healthcare Administration), nine graduate certificates, and twenty undergraduate certificates in areas such as Azure AI automation and Python development. Courses run in accelerated 8-week terms with monthly start dates, and the entire student experience — coursework, tutoring, writing center, library, and career services — is delivered through a virtual learning management system with no physical campus.

Programs are priced uniformly at $675 per credit for in-state and out-of-state students with no student fees and a tuition guarantee that locks the rate at enrollment. Revenue is generated almost entirely through tuition, supplemented by discounted rates for corporate affiliate partners (Booz Allen Hamilton, Pearson, Edcor, EdAssist, USPS, Denver International Airport), military tuition assistance (Amazon Career Choice, CCAF GEM, Air University), and an exclusive partnership with the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) covering 3,300 K-12 public school administrators. The go-to-market combines digital self-service (online application portal, SEO, content marketing, social) with high-touch enrollment counselors, and the institution reports verifiable outcomes including median salary increases of $31,500 (undergraduate) and $39,000 (graduate) 3-5 years post-completion, with 89-92% employment in field of study.

The school is governed by the Colorado State University System and holds Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and ACBSP accreditations, with U.S. News & World Report ranking it #17 Best Online Bachelor's nationally, #7 for veterans, and the highest-ranked online bachelor's in Colorado. CSU Global markets itself to working adult learners, transfer students, military personnel, and K-12 educators, with notable scale signals such as the Career Connected Campus designation from the Colorado Department of Higher Education and an annual Learner Return on Investment Report surveying over 1,000 program completers.

Name

CSU-Global

Legal name

Colorado State University Global

Website

https://csuglobal.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CSU-Global is the 100% online, accredited public university within the Colorado State University System, offering asynchronous bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs in IT, business, cybersecurity, healthcare, and AI to working adults, military personnel, transfer students, and K-12 educators nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

Keywords

• Online degree programs
• Higher education services
• Graduate certificate programs
• Professional development education
• Online learning platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: CSU Global generates primary revenue through per-credit tuition for undergraduate and graduate programs. Tuition rates are locked in via a tuition guarantee and are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. No student fees are charged.
2. Corporate & Partnership Tuition Discounts: Special tuition pricing offered to employees of corporate affiliate partners, members of organizations such as CASE, and military personnel (via tuition assistance and Amazon Career Choice). These partnerships serve as demand-generation channels while providing discounted revenue per student.
3. Employer Tuition Reimbursement: CSU Global markets employer tuition reimbursement programs as a payment option, where employers reimburse employees for tuition, creating a deferred revenue model aligned with student employment outcomes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CSU Global is a 100% online, fully accredited public state university that delivers asynchronous bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and graduate/undergraduate certificates to working adult learners and other students. Programs are offered in 8-week accelerated terms with monthly start dates at a uniform per-credit tuition rate ($675/credit) with no out-of-state differential, no student fees, and a tuition guarantee that locks in rates. All instruction, student support, and career services are delivered virtually with no physical campus.

Product overview

CSU-Global is Colorado State University Global, a 100% online, accredited public university offering a comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs and certificates. The institution provides undergraduate bachelor's degrees (19 programs including Accounting, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology), graduate master's degrees (18 programs including MBA, AI and Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity), graduate certificates (9 programs including Project Management, Digital Health Technology, Information Systems Auditing), undergraduate certificates (20 programs including Azure AI Automation, Python Development), and industry certification preparation (IT certifications such as CompTIA, AWS, Microsoft Azure, EC-Council). Programs are designed for career-connected education with stackable credentials, 8-week accelerated courses, and monthly start dates. The institution also offers specializations that can be added to degrees for career customization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Online graduate degree program in artificial intelligence and machine learning designed for working adults seeking advanced technical credentials.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online MBA program providing broad business administration education for working professionals.
• Master of Business Administration in Product Management Online MBA with specialization in product management for professionals pursuing product-focused leadership roles.
• Master of Business Administration in Supply Chain and Operations Management Online MBA with specialization in supply chain and operations management for operations-focused professionals.
• Master of Cybersecurity Online graduate degree in cybersecurity for IT professionals seeking advanced security credentials.
• Master of Science in Data Analytics Online graduate degree in data analytics for working professionals pursuing analytics careers.
• Master of Finance Online graduate degree in finance for professionals seeking advanced financial credentials.
• Master of Healthcare Administration Online graduate degree in healthcare administration for healthcare professionals pursuing administrative leadership roles.
• Master of Science in Healthcare Analytics Online graduate degree in healthcare analytics combining health and data analytics for healthcare professionals.
• Master of Human Resource Management Online graduate degree in human resource management for HR professionals.
• Master of Information Technology Management Online graduate degree in IT management for technology professionals pursuing leadership roles.
• Master of International Business Studies Online graduate degree in international business for professionals pursuing global business careers.
• Master of Professional Accounting Online graduate degree in professional accounting for accounting professionals.
• Master of Project Management Online graduate degree in project management for professionals pursuing project leadership roles.
• Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development Online graduate degree in leadership and organizational development for professionals pursuing leadership roles.
• Master of Science in Management Online graduate degree in management for working professionals.
• Master of Science in Teaching and Learning Online graduate degree in teaching and learning for K-12 educators seeking advanced credentials.
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting Online undergraduate degree in accounting for working adults.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Online undergraduate degree in computer science for students pursuing software and technology careers.
• Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Online undergraduate degree in cybersecurity for students pursuing cybersecurity careers.
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Online undergraduate degree in information technology for students pursuing IT careers.
• Graduate Certificate in Project Management 12-credit online graduate certificate in project management aligned with PMI standards and preparation for the PMP exam.
• Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management 12-credit online graduate certificate in human resource management for strategic HR leadership.
• Graduate Certificate in Digital Health Technology 12-credit online graduate certificate in digital health technology covering health informatics, emerging technologies, and digital solutions for healthcare innovation.
• Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Auditing 18-credit online graduate certificate for IT professionals developing cybersecurity auditing, governance, and compliance expertise.
• Undergraduate Certificate in Azure AI Automation Online undergraduate certificate providing hands-on training in Azure AI automation tools and workflows.
• Undergraduate Certificate in Python Application Development Online undergraduate certificate covering Python application development fundamentals for working learners.
• Industry Certification & License Prep - Information Technology Online preparation programs for industry IT certifications including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CISM, CEH, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and CCSP.

Quantifiable outcome

• Median salary increase of $31,500 for undergraduate and $39,000 for graduate program completers, 3-5 years post-graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026CSU Global and CASE partnered to provide CASE's network of 3,300 public school administrators with special tuition pricing for CSU Global's online graduate-level courses and programs. The partnership aims to help Colorado meet its K-12 personnel needs by offering flexible, affordable professional development options to educators. Programs include Master's in Teaching and Learning, Principal Licensure, and graduate courses in IT and business administration.
• Amazon Career ChoicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCSU Global is an approved Amazon Career Choice partner, enabling eligible Amazon employees to use Career Choice benefits toward tuition for career-relevant degree and certificate programs. This partnership drives enrollment from a large, defined employee population.
• Air UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSU Global has a partnership with Air University, likely for military education credit transfer and professional development for Air Force personnel.
• CCAF GEM Program (Community College of the Air Force)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership facilitating credit transfer from the Community College of the Air Force's GEM program to CSU Global degree programs for Air Force personnel.
• Booz Allen HamiltonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate affiliate partnership providing discounted tuition rates to Booz Allen Hamilton employees pursuing CSU Global degree programs.
• EdAssist (Tuition Assistance Provider)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdAssist is a tuition assistance program provider facilitating employer-sponsored education benefits for employees of partner companies.
• EdcorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEdcor is a tuition assistance provider enabling employer-sponsored education programs at CSU Global.
• Denver Public SchoolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Denver Public Schools for educator professional development and learning pathways.
• Douglas County School DistrictminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Douglas County School District for educator professional development and degree programs.
• Emily Griffith Technical CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Emily Griffith Technical College for transfer pathways and educational collaboration.
• Colorado Mountain CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Colorado Mountain College for community college transfer pathways and articulation agreements.
• Generation Schools Network TLPminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Generation Schools Network for teacher leadership programs.
• IECRM (Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with IECRM providing professional development and degree pathways for electrical industry professionals.
• USPS (United States Postal Service)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with USPS for professional development and educational programs for postal employees.
• Scholarship AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Scholarship America to provide scholarship opportunities for CSU Global students.
• PEBC (Public Education & Business Coalition)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPEBC Education Master's Degree Partnership with the Public Education & Business Coalition for educator professional development.
• Colorado State University SystemcoreOthersCSU Global is part of the Colorado State University System alongside Colorado State University (Fort Collins) and Colorado State University-Pueblo. Parent institution providing system-level governance and brand association.
• APS Educational Leadership & Principal Licensure CohortminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCohort program with Aurora Public Schools (APS) for Educational Leadership and Principal Licensure for school administrators.
• Denver International Airport (DEN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Denver International Airport for employee professional development programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Western Governors University: WGU is the largest nonprofit, fully online competency-based university in the U.S., serving working adults with affordable, accelerated degree programs. It is the closest direct competitor to CSU Global, sharing the 100% online, asynchronous, monthly-start, competency-oriented model and adult-learner focus, but at substantially larger scale.
• Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is a large private nonprofit university with one of the biggest online enrollment footprints in the U.S., targeting working adults with flexible, affordable degree and certificate programs. It directly competes with CSU Global for adult learners, transfer students, and employer partnership channels, and operates at significantly larger scale.
• University of Maryland Global Campus: UMGC is a public state-affiliated online university with a strong military and veteran student base and a broad catalog of online degrees. Like CSU Global, it is a state-system online institution focused on working adults and military learners, and competes directly for the same federal and employer tuition benefit-funded enrollment pool.
• Purdue University Global: Purdue Global is an online-focused public university affiliated with the Purdue University System, serving working adults and military-affiliated students with career-oriented degrees. It is a direct competitor to CSU Global, particularly in IT, business, and nursing-adjacent programs, though currently operated under for-profit ownership.
• Capella University: Capella University is a for-profit online university offering flexible undergraduate and graduate degrees with specializations in business, IT, healthcare, and education for working adults. It competes directly with CSU Global in the adult-learner online degree segment but operates under private ownership and a more specialized FlexPath competency-based pricing model.
• Walden University: Walden University is a for-profit online university historically focused on graduate degrees for working professionals in nursing, education, psychology, and public administration. It is a relevant comparable for CSU Global's graduate and professional degree offerings, particularly for working-adult and career-changer segments.
• Strayer University: Strayer University is a for-profit online and hybrid university serving working adults with undergraduate and graduate business, IT, and education programs. It directly competes with CSU Global for adult learners seeking flexible, career-oriented degrees, and operates with strong employer-channel distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Arizona State University Online: ASU Online is the online arm of Arizona State University, one of the largest and most recognized public universities in the U.S., offering hundreds of undergraduate and graduate online programs. It competes with CSU Global for adult learners but operates at vastly larger scale, with a much stronger overall brand, broader program portfolio, and deeper research university positioning.
• Liberty University Online: Liberty University Online is the online division of a large private nonprofit university offering a wide catalog of undergraduate and graduate online programs with strong military and veteran enrollment. It competes with CSU Global for adult, military, and faith-oriented learners, but at significantly larger scale and with a distinct value-based brand positioning.

Emerging players

• Penn Foster: Penn Foster is an online career-focused education provider offering certificate, diploma, and degree programs targeting working adults and entry-level workforce learners. It is more niche and lower-cost than CSU Global, but overlaps on adult-learner certificate and associate-level pathways, particularly through employer partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/csu-global
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSUGlobalCampus
• Xx.com/csuglobal

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 CSU-Global