Capella University
Capella University is an accredited online university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs to working adults across eight fields, delivered via self-paced FlexPath and structured GuidedPath formats under parent Strategic Education, Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Capella University does
Capella University is a regionally accredited online university founded in 1993 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institution is a wholly owned subsidiary of Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRA), which also controls Strayer University, Sophia Learning, Hackbright Academy, Devmountain, and Workforce Edge. Capella delivers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs across eight areas of study — Business, Counseling & Therapy, Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work — via two distinct learning formats: FlexPath (self-paced, competency-based) and GuidedPath (structured schedule). The product is delivered on the Canvas LMS with digital credentials issued through CeCredential Trust and is supported by a Career Development Center, disability services, and dedicated enrollment specialists.
The core technology stack is a third-party LMS rather than a proprietary platform: Capella relies on Canvas for course delivery, CeCredential for verified digital diplomas, and standard MFA (rolled out November 2024) for access control. The institution's competitive substrate is its regulatory stack — HLC institutional accreditation plus CCNE, CSWE, CACREP, CAEP, and COAMFTE programmatic accreditations — and NC-SARA reciprocity, which together enable nationwide online delivery and licensure-track enrollment. Revenue comes primarily from tuition and fees across undergraduate and graduate programs, with format-based pricing differentiating FlexPath (pay-as-you-go) and GuidedPath (quarterly subscription). Distribution combines direct online enrollment via apply.capella.edu, employer workforce-development partnerships including the Workforce Edge Tech Skills Academy, and military benefits channels.
Capella University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capella University
- Legal name
- Capella University, LLC
- Website
- https://capella.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Capella University is an accredited online university offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs to working adults across eight fields, delivered via self-paced FlexPath and structured GuidedPath formats under parent Strategic Education, Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Capella University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Capella University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Capella University generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged to students enrolled in its online degree programs. Tuition varies by program level (undergraduate vs graduate) and learning format (GuidedPath vs FlexPath). Students pay per credit or through subscription-style billing depending on the program format. Additional revenue comes from transcript requests, resource kits, and other student fees.
- Workforce Development Partnerships: Capella University serves as a learning provider in employer workforce development programs, such as Workforce Edge's Tech Skills Academy, connecting employees to educational pathways. Revenue flows through employer assistance programs and educational benefits management.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Quarterly | GuidedPath Undergraduate Programs |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | FlexPath Undergraduate Programs |
| Subscription | Quarterly | GuidedPath Graduate Programs |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | FlexPath Graduate Programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Capella University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capella University is a regionally accredited online university that delivers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in Business, Counseling & Therapy, Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work. Programs are delivered via two learning formats, FlexPath (self-paced competency-based) and GuidedPath (structured schedule), to working adult learners nationwide. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees charged per credit or quarter.
Product overview
Capella University is an online educational institution owned by Strategic Education, Inc., offering a comprehensive portfolio of online degree programs across eight academic areas: Business, Counseling & Therapy, Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work. The university provides programs at bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate levels, with over 1,530 courses available. Capella offers two distinct learning formats: FlexPath (self-paced) and GuidedPath (structured schedule). The institution supports experiential learning through workplace projects, internships, and Credit for Prior Learning. Key student services include a Career Development Center, disability services, technical support, and digital credential offerings through CeCredential Trust. The university's IT programs connect to Workforce Edge's Tech Skills Academy for employer workforce development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FlexPath: Self-paced learning format where students set their own deadlines and can complete courses faster to save on tuition
- GuidedPath
Products and services
- Online Bachelor's Degree Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Self-paced FlexPath format allows students to potentially complete courses faster and save on tuition costs
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Capella University
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Capella University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Capella University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Workforce EdgecoreCapella University is a learning provider in Workforce Edge's Tech Skills Academy, a workforce development tool designed to help employers build internal technology talent. The Academy connects employees to learning providers aligned to roles in AI, infrastructure, DevOps, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Capella participates alongside Simplilearn, Emerge Education, and Strayer University (sister company under Strategic Education, Inc.).
- American Nurses EnterpriseminorCapella University is a corporate sponsor for American Nurses Enterprise's National Nurses Week (May 6-12, 2025) under the theme 'The Power of Nurses.' Sponsorship includes supporting events such as kickoff breakfast at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, national press conference, webinars, landmark light-ups, and Capitol Hill reception.
- Sophia LearningcoreSophia Learning partnership enables Capella to offer no-cost general education courses through its platform. Capella students can complete general education requirements at reduced cost before or during their degree program. This partnership supports the tuition planning and financial planning initiatives.
- Strategic Education, Inc.coreCapella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Strategic Education, Inc. (SEI), which also operates Strayer University, Hackbright Academy, Sophia Learning, Capella Learning Solutions, Workforce Edge, and international institutions including Torrens University Australia and Think Education.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Capella University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- 2U, Inc. 2U is an online program management (OPM) company that partners with nonprofit universities to deliver online degree programs. While not a direct competitor in the same model, 2U is a relevant adjacent player shaping the online degree market in which Capella operates.
Direct peers
- Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University is a for-profit university with a large online division offering degrees in healthcare, business, education, and STEM. It competes directly with Capella in online higher education, particularly for working adult learners.
- Liberty University Online: Liberty University Online offers a wide range of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs to adult learners. It competes with Capella on online program breadth, accreditation, and flexibility for working adults.
- Walden University: Walden University is an online university (owned by Adtalem Global Education) specializing in graduate programs for working professionals in healthcare, education, counseling, and psychology. It directly competes with Capella's graduate and doctoral offerings.
- National University: National University is a private nonprofit university with a large online and hybrid program offering focused on adult learners. It competes with Capella across similar degree areas and serves a comparable demographic.
- Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is one of the largest online universities in the U.S., offering a broad catalog of bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs to adult learners. It competes directly with Capella in online degree programs across business, healthcare, IT, and education.
- University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix is a large for-profit online university serving working adults with degree and certificate programs. It is one of Capella's most direct competitors in the online-for-profit higher education category, with similar target demographics.
- Colorado Technical University: CTU is a for-profit online university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, IT, healthcare, and engineering. It directly competes with Capella in serving working adults seeking flexible online degree programs.
- Western Governors University: WGU is a nonprofit online university offering competency-based bachelor's and master's degrees with a self-paced model. It is the closest direct competitor to Capella's FlexPath approach, serving similar adult learner segments with comparable tuition structures and accreditation.
- Purdue University Global: Purdue Global is the for-profit online arm of Purdue University offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs for working adults. It directly competes with Capella in online degree delivery, particularly for adult learners seeking accredited programs.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Capella University social profiles
Digital presenceCapella University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Capella University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capella University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Capella University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capella 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 Capella University
What does Capella University do?
Capella University is a regionally accredited online university that delivers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in Business, Counseling & Therapy, Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work. Programs are delivered via two learning formats, FlexPath (self-paced competency-based) and GuidedPath (structured schedule), to working adult learners nationwide. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees charged per credit or quarter.
Is Capella University a public or private company?
Capella University is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Capella University founded?
Capella University was founded in 1993. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Capella University based?
Capella University is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Capella University make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are workforce Development Partnerships.
Who are Capella University's main competitors?
2U, Inc. is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Grand Canyon University, Liberty University Online, Walden University, National University, Southern New Hampshire University, University of Phoenix, Colorado Technical University, Western Governors University and Purdue University Global.
Does Capella University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capella University.