Dawson College

What Dawson College does

Dawson College is a public CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) located in downtown Montreal, Quebec. The institution delivers subsidized post-secondary education primarily to Quebec secondary-school graduates and adult learners through two divisions: a Day Programs division offering 28 Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) programs across pre-university and career streams, and a Continuing Education division offering Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) certificates, non-credit courses through the Centre for Training & Development (CTD), and customized corporate training. Enrolment is approximately 8,000 day students, supported by 501–1,000 employees on a single 12-acre campus at 3040 Sherbrooke St. W with direct Atwater Metro connectivity.

The technology stack is commodity educational IT rather than a proprietary platform. Dawson runs its student-facing services through the MyDawson portal built on Omnivox (course registration, grades, MIO messaging), a Moodle learning management system for course delivery, and Microsoft 365 / Teams for collaboration. Additional ancillary operations include the Dawson Theatre (with public ticketing via thepointofsale.com), the Warren G. Flowers Art Gallery, and facility rentals for external events. No proprietary AI/ML capabilities, patents, or differentiated technology assets are evidenced.

The revenue model is dominated by operational grants from the Quebec Ministry of Education, which effectively subsidizes tuition for eligible Quebec residents and represents the single largest funding counterparty. Ancillary revenue streams include international student tuition, Continuing Education and CTD course fees, facility rentals, student ancillary and association fees, and donations channelled through the wholly-owned Dawson Foundation subsidiary. As a public-sector institution, Dawson College is not venture- or equity-backed, has no disclosed M&A activity, and operates under provincial governance rather than a commercial board mandate.

Name

Dawson College

Legal name

Dawson College

Website

https://dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Dawson College is a public Quebec CEGEP in downtown Montreal offering 28 pre-university and career DEC programs, AEC certificates, and corporate training to roughly 8,000 day students. Operations are funded primarily by the Quebec Ministry of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Post-secondary education
• Diploma studies
• Continuing education
• Vocational training
• Pre-university programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As a public CEGEP, Dawson College receives operational funding from the Quebec Ministry of Education. This covers core educational activities and most instructional costs.
2. Student Fees: Students pay various fees including tuition fees (for international students and certain programs), student association fees, and course-specific fees. The college publishes detailed student fee schedules.
3. Continuing Education Programs: Revenue from AEC (Attestation d'études collégiales) programs, non-credit courses, corporate training, and Centre for Training & Development offerings.
4. Facility Rentals: Dawson facilities are available for rental when not in use for educational purposes, generating revenue through event and space rentals.
5. Dawson Foundation Donations: Private donations and fundraising through the Dawson Foundation support para-academic initiatives, student awards, bursaries, and scholarships not covered by government funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dawson College is a public Quebec CEGEP offering post-secondary education through 28 pre-university and career programs leading to a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC), spanning 2-3 years. It also operates a Continuing Education division delivering AEC (Attestation d'études collégiales) certificates, non-credit courses through the Centre for Training & Development, corporate training, and the Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) process for adult learners. Specialized offerings include a Professional Theatre (Acting) DEC program with public performances at the on-campus Dawson Theatre venue.

Product overview

Dawson College is a Quebec CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) offering post-secondary education primarily through two divisions: Day Programs providing 28 DEC (Diploma of Collegial Studies) programs in pre-university and technical streams, and Continuing Education offering AEC certificates, non-credit courses through the Centre for Training & Development (CTD), and corporate training. The college's student-facing technology stack includes the MyDawson Portal (Omnivox) for academic administration and Moodle for course delivery. Specialized programs include a Professional Theatre (Acting) DEC with public performances at Dawson Theatre, and AEC programs in Cybersecurity and Accounting. Continuing Education includes the Springboard Program for academic transition and the Centre for Training & Development for non-credit professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dawson Foundation: The foundation supports Dawson College students through awards, bursaries, scholarships, and funding for academic enrichment projects.

Products and services

• Day Programs (DEC Programs) Pre-university and career programs leading to a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC). The college offers 28 programs in sciences, arts, social sciences, and technical fields, typically spanning 2-3 years. For Quebec secondary school graduates seeking either university preparation or vocational training.
• Continuing Education (Credit Programs and AEC) Evening and part-time credit programs including Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) certificates, the Springboard Transition Program, and Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC). Designed for adult learners, mature students, and working professionals seeking to upgrade credentials.
• Cybersecurity: Prevention and Intervention AEC Program Short, intensive AEC program preparing students for the role of Cybersecurity Technician within companies and organizations. For adult learners seeking rapid entry into the cybersecurity workforce.
• Accounting Principles and Related Computer Applications AEC Program AEC program designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in accounting, particularly with the use of computerized accounting systems. For adult learners seeking direct workforce entry in accounting.
• Springboard to a DCS Program (Tremplin DEC) Flexible evening program helping students complete prerequisites, improve academic standing, and transition into CEGEP studies, with a maximum duration of 3 semesters in Continuing Education. For students who do not yet meet direct DEC admission requirements.
• Professional Theatre (Acting) Program Three-year DEC program in professional theatre training (program code 561.C1). Students perform in major productions (third year) and studio productions (second year) at the Dawson Theatre venue. For aspiring professional actors.
• Centre for Training & Development (CTD) Non-credit courses division offering professional development and skills training, including Service Québec and Emplois-Québec programs, plus corporate and customized training for organizations. For working professionals and corporate clients.
• Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) Process allowing individuals to have their prior workplace experience accredited toward a CEGEP credential. For adult learners with non-traditional educational backgrounds.
• Corporate and Customized Training Customized training solutions delivered to businesses and organizations, tailored to client workforce needs and built from Dawson's program expertise. For corporate and institutional clients.
• Dawson Theatre Public Performances Professional theatre performances open to the public, featuring major productions and studio performances by Professional Theatre program students. Tickets sold through thepointofsale.com. For general public theatre attendees.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral Action-Research-Participatory project between Dawson College and Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Morelos) focused on integral sustainability concepts for higher education institutions.
• Universidad Politécnica del Estado de MoreloscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Planteles Educativos Sustentables (PES) binational research-action-participatory project promoting sustainable development in educational institutions.
• Preparatoria Comunitaria de Tres MaríascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in sustainable campus initiatives and binational forums on sustainable development in educational institutions.
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded Phase I of the Sustainable Campuses project through an international development research grant.
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded Phase II of the Sustainable Campuses project through a Social Science Humanities Research Council grant.
• SALTISEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching and learning community focused on evidence-based practices in education.
• Sustainable Campuses Initiative PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of educational institutions working on sustainability in higher education including binational forums and student internships.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Concordia University: English-language university in Montreal that absorbs Dawson's pre-university DEC graduates. Represents a downstream destination rather than direct competitor, but competing influence on student program choice at the CEGEP stage.
• LaSalle College: Largest private college in Quebec, with a broader portfolio spanning fashion, design, hospitality, business, and technology. Competes with Dawson's career programs and AEC streams, particularly with international students.

Regional players

• Collège Montmorency: French-language public CEGEP in Laval, north of Montreal. Operates under the same Quebec funding regime with similar DEC/AEC programs but serves a different immediate geography; useful comp for provincial peer benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Collège Ahuntsic: French-language public CEGEP in north-end Montreal with strong technical and health-science programs. Comparable size and AEC offerings, and competing for French-speaking prospective students across the Greater Montreal area.
• Vanier College: English-language public CEGEP in Saint-Laurent, Montreal, offering DEC and AEC programs with a comparable student body and Quebec Ministry of Education funding model. Closest direct competitor for English-language CEGEP students.
• Cégep du Vieux Montréal: Large French-language public CEGEP in downtown Montreal. Comparable size and program breadth, and competes with Dawson for downtown students choosing between English- and French-language instruction.
• John Abbott College: English-language public CEGEP on Montreal's West Island with similar DEC/AEC program mix and government funding structure. Competes directly with Dawson for West Island and Westmount-area prospective students.
• Marianopolis College: English-language public CEGEP located in Westmount, adjacent to Dawson. Targets a similar pre-university student profile and competes directly on location, program quality, and brand.
• Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne: French-language public CEGEP in the Montreal area offering DEC, AEC, and continuing education programs under the same Ministry of Education funding regime. Comparable operational model and target student segments.
• Cégep de Saint-Laurent: French-language public CEGEP in north-end Montreal with comparable AEC and DEC portfolio, including technical and pre-university streams. Directly comparable on governance, funding, and program structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dawsoncollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dawson-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/dawsoncollege
• Xx.com/mydawsoncollege

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Dawson College