Saylor Foundation

What Saylor Foundation does

Saylor Foundation operates Saylor University, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit online university under the Constitution Foundation (founded by Michael J. Saylor), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia with a fully remote workforce of 51–100 employees. The organization delivers two complementary digital platforms: learn.saylor.org hosts 161 self-paced certificate courses across seven disciplines (business, computer science, arts and humanities, science and mathematics, social science, ESL, and professional development), while degrees.saylor.org delivers four tuition-free graduate programs (MBA, MS Marketing, Master's in Management, and Master's in Entrepreneurship & Innovation). The underlying technology is a Moodle-based Learning Management System curating Open Educational Resources (OER) authored by credentialed professors, with SmarterProctoring for assessment integrity, Accredible for digital credentials, and ACE Recommended Credit pathways connecting course completions to transferable college credit at partner institutions. The platform also offers nine structured specialization programs and a Pre-Master's preparatory track.

Saylor's business model is freemium with philanthropic rather than tuition-based economics. All courses and degrees carry $0 tuition; the only direct fee is a $5 USD proctoring charge per exam attempt that is explicitly described as cost-recovery for the third-party proctoring service, with financial assistance available. Operations are sustained by charitable donations and foundation support rather than operating revenue. Go-to-market is product-led and partner-mediated: self-serve enrollment requires no sales function, and a network of 130+ institutional partners—spanning universities (Cavendish University Zambia, University of Memphis, SNHU), NGOs (Skill India Digital Hub, UONGOZI Institute), and government bodies (Embassy of East Timor, APSCHE)—distributes courses into underserved and emerging-market learner populations. Distribution is supplemented by organic social sharing of free Accredible-issued certificates on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

As of 2026 the organization has enrolled 3,022,161+ learners across 195+ countries and recorded 658,757 course completions. Strategic milestones include 2024 MBA launch, 2025 expansion to three additional master's programs, March 2026 rebrand from Saylor Academy to Saylor University following Florida Department of Education licensure, and 2026–2030 ASIC International Accreditation. Customer segments span lifelong learners and career advancers (primary), working adults and professionals, underserved populations in regions with restricted educational access, non-native English speakers, and partner institutions seeking low-cost degree-completion pathways.

Name

Saylor Foundation

Legal name

Constitution Foundation

Website

https://saylor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Saylor University, operated by the Constitution Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Michael J. Saylor), is a fully online tuition-free university offering 161 self-paced certificate courses and four graduate degree programs to 3M+ learners across 195+ countries, distributed through a network of 130+ institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online 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

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA), Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Tuition-free courses
• Open educational resources
• Distance learning degrees
• Self-paced certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nonprofit Mission / Charitable Funding: Saylor University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The primary initiative of the Constitution Foundation, founded by Michael J. Saylor. Revenue comes from charitable donations and foundation support rather than tuition or course fees.
2. Proctoring Fee Revenue: Minimal revenue stream from $5 USD proctoring fees per exam session for ACE Recommended Credit courses and graduate degree programs. This covers the cost of the third-party SmarterProctoring service rather than generating profit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saylor University provides tuition-free online higher education through two platforms: learn.saylor.org delivers 161 self-paced certificate courses across business, computer science, math, humanities, ESL, and professional development, while degrees.saylor.org offers four master's degree programs (MBA, MS Marketing, Master's in Management, Master's in Entrepreneurship & Innovation) at $0 tuition. Course content is curated from open educational resources by credentialed faculty, with optional ACE Recommended College Credit available for $5 per proctored exam attempt. The offering is supported by 130+ institutional partners and serves 3M+ learners globally.

Product overview

Saylor University operates as a dual-platform educational institution offering free online learning across two separate platforms: learn.saylor.org hosts 161 free certificate courses, 9 specialization programs, and ACE-recommended credit courses; degrees.saylor.org delivers 4 tuition-free graduate degree programs (MBA, MMKT, MMGT, MEI). The portfolio is unified by a mission to democratize education with $0 tuition — the only costs are $5 proctoring fees for credit-bearing assessments. Programs span business, computer science, professional development, ESL, and academic subjects, with courses designed as self-paced, expert-curated content from open educational resources. The Pre-Master's Program provides a bridge to graduate admission through earned assessment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Certificate Courses Self-paced online courses offering free certificates of completion across business, computer science, math, English, history, ESL, and professional development, with optional $5 proctored exams for ACE-recommended transferable college credit. Available at no cost to individual learners globally.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) 36-credit graduate business degree covering strategic leadership, financial acumen, and operational excellence across 8 core courses plus a Leadership Capstone and specialization track. $0 tuition with $5 proctoring fee per exam session.
• Master of Science in Marketing (MMKT) 30-credit graduate degree focused on modern marketing strategy, data-driven marketing, digital channels, and consumer behavior analytics. $0 tuition with $5 proctoring fee per exam session.
• Master's in Management (MMGT) 30-credit graduate degree building foundational business knowledge and leadership skills for managing teams, operations, and organizations. $0 tuition with $5 proctoring fee per exam session.
• Master's in Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MEI) 30-credit graduate degree developing innovative mindset and practical skills to launch ventures, drive organizational change, and lead with creativity. $0 tuition with $5 proctoring fee per exam session.
• Specialization Programs Short, focused program tracks bundling curated courses into in-demand skill areas. Nine programs available across business, ESL, and professional development domains, including two graduate-level specializations. All free and self-paced.
• Pre-Master's Program Preparatory pathway for students seeking admission to graduate degree programs. Students complete prerequisites including a free entrance exam and first core course with 80% or better on the proctored final exam to qualify for degree programs.
• ACE Recommended Credit

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,022,161+ learners enrolled from 195+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Barkat Educational FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Partnership to offer free online learning opportunities for Afghan girls and women. Barkat Educational Foundation is a women-led nonprofit in Kandahar, Afghanistan, providing free online education to Afghan girls who lack physical access to schools. Leverages Saylor's AI, business, and data science courses.
• Al-Fateh Institute of Health Sciences (AFIHS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Partnership to offer education and skill opportunities for learners in Pakistan. AFIHS is recognized among Top 5 globally credentialed health sciences institutions, #1 in South Asia for credentialing and global connectivity. Promotes career skills development alongside degrees.
• All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Partnership to offer free business education for better opportunities to AIILSG's communities in India.
• Cavendish University ZambiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading private university in Lusaka, Zambia partnering to offer recommended courses in Business, Law, Computing, and Health Sciences for Cavendish students.
• Afghanistan Open UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAfghanistan's first public-driven, tuition-free university powered by AI-enabled learning. Partners to expand access to free courses in Business, Computer Science, and Professional Development for Afghan learners.
• Skill India Digital HubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKnowledge Partner for Skill India Digital Hub initiative offering upskilling opportunities for India's youth. Students access free courses in Computer Science/Programming, Business, and English.
• UONGOZI InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTanzanian leadership development organization dedicated to inspiring and equipping African leaders. Offers free courses in Business and Professional Development.
• IdeagistminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners to recommend free, self-paced courses in ESL, Business, Computer Science, and Professional Development for Ideagist members building career-ready skills.
• Global Development Learning Network LACminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners to recommend free courses in Business, ESL, Computer Science, and Professional Development for members across Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Embassy of the Democratic Republic of East TimorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners to recommend free, self-paced courses in ESL, Business, Communication, and Computer Science for East Timorese students, supporting education and workforce development.
• Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinating body between University Grants Commission, State Government, and Universities in Andhra Pradesh, India. Functions include Planning and Coordination, Academic Functions, and Advisory Functions.
• University of MemphiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough Project Finish Line program, helps students finish degrees if within one academic year. Saylor provides low-cost pathways for students who have depleted financial aid resources.
• Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners to help students achieve dreams and transform lives by completing degrees with minimal costs through transferable credits from Saylor courses.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• StraighterLine: Low-cost online course provider offering college-equivalent courses with credit-recommendation partnerships. Comparable in low-cost, ACE-aligned course delivery model, though narrower in scope than Saylor's full university offering.
• Codecademy: Interactive online learning platform for coding and technical skills. Overlaps with Saylor's Computer Science course catalog, though Codecademy focuses on interactive coding exercises while Saylor delivers traditional OER-curated coursework.
• Udacity: Online learning platform focused on technology and professional skills with nanodegree programs. Overlaps with Saylor's computer science and professional development offerings, though positioned at higher price points and industry partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Large-scale MOOC platform offering courses, certificates, and degree programs from accredited universities globally. Overlaps with Saylor on free courses, professional certificates, and online graduate degrees, but Coursera operates a for-profit marketplace model rather than a single nonprofit institution.
• edX: Major MOOC platform founded by Harvard and MIT offering free courses and accredited degree programs. Comparable in free course catalog and global reach, with overlapping degree program offerings, though backed by 2U and a different business model.

Direct peers

• Khan Academy: Nonprofit free online education platform offering self-paced courses and learning content globally. Directly comparable as a free, OER-style education provider serving lifelong learners, though Khan focuses more on K-12 and foundational subjects while Saylor targets higher education and professional credentials.
• Western Governors University: Nonprofit online university offering competency-based degree programs at lower cost than traditional institutions. Comparable as a nonprofit, fully online degree-granting institution, though WGU charges tuition while Saylor's tuition is $0.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Online nonprofit university offering affordable degree programs and serving working adults. Already a Saylor degree-completion partner (SNHU), demonstrating direct operational comparability in online degree delivery and learner demographics.
• University of the People: Tuition-free, accredited online university serving global learners with degree programs. The closest functional peer to Saylor's mission of democratizing higher education, with overlapping focus on underserved populations and low-cost degree pathways.

Others

• OpenStax (Rice University): Nonprofit publisher of free, peer-reviewed OER textbooks widely used in higher education. Adjacent peer sharing the OER philosophy and supply chain, though OpenStax provides content infrastructure rather than complete courses or degrees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/saylordotorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaylorFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-saylor-foundation

Compliance3 records

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 Saylor Foundation