University of Silicon Valley
University of Silicon Valley is a private, WSCUC-accredited polytechnic institution in San Jose offering bachelor's degrees, a master's, certificates, and diplomas in software, games, digital art, audio, and business — delivered via four studios to tech and creative students, both on-campus and online in 26 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1887
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Silicon Valley does
University of Silicon Valley (USV) is a private, WSCUC-accredited polytechnic institution headquartered in San Jose, California, with an operating history dating to 1887 (formerly Cogswell Polytechnical College, rebranded to USV in 2021). It delivers undergraduate bachelor's degrees in Software Development, Business Administration, Game Design, Digital Art & Animation, Game Art, Game Engineering, and Digital Audio Technology; a Master of Business Innovation and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management; and diploma programs in Audio & Music Production and Game Audio. Academic delivery is organized around four experiential learning studios (USV Productions, USV Labs, USV Agency, USV Interactive), a Peer Guilds collaboration model, and a proprietary seven-domain Polymathic Domains curriculum that spans Systems Thinking, Design & Creative Practice, Computational & Software Fluency, Agentic AI Collaboration, Analytics & Predictive Insight, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Expression & Influence.
USV makes money primarily through tuition and program fees, with funding sourced from a mix of out-of-pocket tuition, federal Title IV student aid (Pell Grants, loans), state Cal-Grant awards, Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership benefits, veterans' education benefits (CSAAVE), and internal merit aid including the Max Achievement Scholarship (up to $15,000/year, awarded for rare digital gaming achievements). Distribution is direct-to-student via the university's own admissions portal (apply.usv.edu); channel breadth spans the on-campus San Jose experience plus 100% online delivery authorized in 26 states. With 378 reported undergraduates in Fall 2023 and a faculty of 65 (9 full-time, 56 part-time), the institution operates at a small scale (13:1 student-to-faculty ratio) and pairs this with differentiation attempts including high-profile board appointments (John Seely Brown, formerly of Xerox PARC; Richard Chuang, co-founder of PDI/DreamWorks; Eve Andersson, Senior Director at Google) and selective employer-placement narratives across Apple, Pixar, DreamWorks, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Cisco, Intel, EA, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked USV among the Top 25 Regional Universities in the West in 2022; institutional outcomes show a 78% Fall-to-Fall retention rate (2015-2016 cohort), 66% on-time four-year completion, and a 22% six-year graduation rate (2010-2011 entering cohort). Revenue, ownership structure, and multi-year enrollment trends are not publicly disclosed; the institution is governed by an independent Board of Trustees with no parent company or disclosed private equity ownership.
University of Silicon Valley firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Silicon Valley
- Legal name
- University of Silicon Valley
- Website
- https://usv.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1887
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- University of Silicon Valley is a private, WSCUC-accredited polytechnic institution in San Jose offering bachelor's degrees, a master's, certificates, and diplomas in software, games, digital art, audio, and business — delivered via four studios to tech and creative students, both on-campus and online in 26 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Silicon Valley industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Online Technology & Computer Science Universities (EDAHALAH)
Keywords
Where University of Silicon Valley is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of Silicon Valley business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, diploma programs, and certificate programs. The university operates on a trimester academic calendar.
- Federal Student Aid: University participates in U.S. Department of Education federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants, HEERF emergency relief funds, and other Title IV programs.
- Institutional Scholarships: University provides institutional scholarships such as the Max Achievement Scholarship (up to $15,000/year) funded by the institution to attract and retain students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Max Achievement Scholarship - Legendary Tier: Up to $5,000 per term for ultra-rare gaming achievements |
| Subscription | Annual | Max Achievement Scholarship - Mastery Tier: Up to $2,500 per term for significant completionist achievements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
University of Silicon Valley product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Silicon Valley is a private polytechnic institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, diplomas, and certificate courses across technology, creative arts, and business disciplines. It operates on a trimester-based academic calendar anchored in a Silicon Valley location and markets itself on a polymathic, interdisciplinary curriculum philosophy. Educational delivery occurs through on-campus instruction complemented by online and digital learning platforms.
Product overview
University of Silicon Valley (USV) is a private polytechnic institution offering a portfolio of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, diploma programs, and certificate programs primarily focused on creative and technology disciplines. Its academic offerings are organized into four experiential learning studios — USV Productions (films, music, podcasts, immersive media), USV Labs (AI development, enterprise solutions, open source tools), USV Agency (design, marketing, brand strategy for real companies), and USV Interactive (games, VR, interactive experiences) — through which students apply their coursework to real-world projects. The degree portfolio includes BA programs in Digital Art & Animation, Game Art, and Game Design; BS programs in Game Engineering, Digital Audio Technology, Software Development, and Business Administration; a Master of Business Innovation; a Graduate Certificate in Project Management; and diploma programs in Audio & Music Production and Game Audio. USV also operates a unique Max Achievement Scholarship program that awards up to $15,000 per year to students who demonstrate mastery through gaming achievements. The institution offers programs both on-campus and 100% online.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs Multi-year baccalaureate degree programs offered in technology, creative arts, and business fields to individual students pursuing higher education credentials.
- Graduate Degree Programs Master's-level degree programs designed for individuals seeking advanced credentials in technology, creative, or business disciplines.
- Diploma Programs
- Certificate Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Top 25 Regional Universities in the West (U.S. News & World Report 2022)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Silicon Valley
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
University of Silicon Valley technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
University of Silicon Valley partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AppleminorApple is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship rather than formal corporate partnership.
- CiscominorCisco is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship rather than formal corporate partnership.
- IntelminorIntel is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship rather than formal corporate partnership.
- Electronic ArtsminorElectronic Arts is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship rather than formal corporate partnership.
- DreamWorks AnimationminorDreamWorks Animation is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, and USV Board Member Richard Chuang is co-founder of PDI/DreamWorks Animation.
- Pixar Animation StudiosminorPixar is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship.
- Walt Disney Animation StudiosminorWalt Disney Animation Studios is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, including Cristopher Evart who won an Academy Award for 'Frozen'.
- Lockheed MartinminorLockheed Martin is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship.
- MicrosoftminorMicrosoft is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship.
- IBMminorIBM is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship.
- OracleminorOracle is listed among the companies where USV graduates have been employed, indicating an employment pipeline relationship.
- California Student Aid CommissioncoreUSV participates in the California Student Aid Commission's Cal-Grant program, enabling eligible students to receive state-funded financial aid.
- U.S. Department of EducationcoreUSV participates in federal student aid programs authorized by the U.S. Department of Education, including Title IV programs and SEVP for F-1 student visas.
- Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education PartnershipcoreUSV participates in the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership (MOU) program, providing educational opportunities for military personnel.
- California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE)coreUSV is approved to provide training for veterans through the CSAAVE program, enabling eligible veterans to use their education benefits.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
University of Silicon Valley competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DigiPen Institute of Technology: Private polytechnic focused on game development, computer science, and digital art — directly comparable to USV's BS in Game Engineering, Game Design, and Digital Art programs with similar Silicon Valley-adjacent positioning and project-based learning model.
- Full Sail University: Private for-profit university specializing in entertainment, media, arts, and technology degrees including game design, digital arts, and music production — directly overlapping USV's Digital Art, Audio, and Game programs with similar project-based curriculum.
- Ringling College of Art and Design: Private specialized college offering BFA degrees in computer animation, game art, and motion design — directly comparable to USV's Digital Art & Animation and Game Art programs and shares USV's Disney/Pixar graduate placement profile.
- ArtCenter College of Design: Private design college with strong industry placement in entertainment and tech, located near Los Angeles — overlapping USV's Digital Art & Animation and Game Art programs and serving a similar creative-industry-bound student.
- Academy of Art University: Private for-profit art and design school offering degrees in animation, game design, and visual arts with online options — directly comparable to USV's creative-arts portfolio and online delivery model.
Broad incumbents
- DeVry University: Large private for-profit university system offering tech and business degrees with broad online reach. USV board member Robert Wrubel is DeVry's Chief Innovation Officer, evidencing direct ties; both compete for similar career-focused, often Pell-eligible students.
- Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university offering IT and business degrees including software development at scale — competes with USV's online programs (especially the MBI and Graduate Certificate in Project Management) for working adult learners.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with extensive online program offerings in business, IT, and creative fields — competes with USV's online MBI and Graduate Certificate in Project Management, particularly in the 26-state authorization footprint.
Regional players
- San Jose State University: Major public California State University campus in San Jose offering degrees in software engineering, business, and design — the closest regional public competitor to USV for Bay Area students seeking tech-focused degrees at lower tuition.
- National University: San Diego-based private nonprofit university with strong online presence serving working adults in business, technology, and education — competes with USV's online programs in California and other authorized states.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Silicon Valley social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Silicon Valley financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Silicon Valley leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
University of Silicon Valley funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Silicon Valley 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 University of Silicon Valley
What does University of Silicon Valley do?
The University of Silicon Valley is a private polytechnic institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, diplomas, and certificate courses across technology, creative arts, and business disciplines. It operates on a trimester-based academic calendar anchored in a Silicon Valley location and markets itself on a polymathic, interdisciplinary curriculum philosophy. Educational delivery occurs through on-campus instruction complemented by online and digital learning platforms.
Is University of Silicon Valley a public or private company?
University of Silicon Valley is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Silicon Valley founded?
University of Silicon Valley was founded in 1887. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is University of Silicon Valley based?
University of Silicon Valley is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of Silicon Valley make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are federal Student Aid and institutional Scholarships.
Who are University of Silicon Valley's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DigiPen Institute of Technology, Full Sail University, Ringling College of Art and Design, ArtCenter College of Design and Academy of Art University. Broad incumbents are DeVry University, Western Governors University and Southern New Hampshire University. Regional players are San Jose State University and National University.
Does University of Silicon Valley have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Silicon Valley.
What industry is University of Silicon Valley in?
University of Silicon Valley's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAB, Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHALAH, Online Technology & Computer Science Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.