Abraham Lincoln University

What Abraham Lincoln University does

Abraham Lincoln University (ALU) is a privately held, fully online distance-education institution headquartered in Glendale, California, founded in 1996 by Hyung J. Park. It operates as one of the earliest online law schools in the United States, with a current portfolio spanning four schools (Law, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies) and approximately fifteen degree and certificate programs at the associate, bachelor, master, diploma, and certificate levels. Its flagship product is the online Juris Doctor (JD) program, registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California as an unaccredited distance-learning law school and structured to qualify graduates to sit for the California Bar Examination. Non-JD programs are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and licensed by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

The institution runs on a low-overhead online delivery stack: a Moodle-based learning management system (eLearn.alu.edu) provides 24/7 access to archived video lectures, online discussion forums, and course materials; Populi serves as the student information system; and JD students are provided with Westlaw access and a dedicated Thomson Reuters account manager. ALU is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an Institution of Higher Learning under six GI Bill chapters and holds a Military Friendly designation, supporting veteran enrollment.

ALU's revenue model is tuition-driven and recurring, anchored by JD tuition of $11,375 per year and supplemented by application fees ($50, waivable for active-duty military and veterans), zero-interest payment plans, federal financial aid (Stafford Loans, Pell Grants), and VA education benefits. Its go-to-market is sales-led through the alu.edu website, supplemented by phone (213-252-5100), live chat, content marketing via the ALU blog, organic social media, and targeted military outreach. The primary customer segments are working adults and non-traditional students pursuing law, paralegal, criminal justice, or business administration credentials while remaining employed full-time, with secondary segments of military veterans and California-resident pre-law students aspiring to bar licensure. The institution is family-controlled, currently led by President and CEO Jessica K. Park (daughter of the founder), with a disclosed leadership team of roughly 11-50 employees as captured in firmographic data.

Name

Abraham Lincoln University

Legal name

Abraham Lincoln University

Website

https://alu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Abraham Lincoln University is a privately held, fully online distance-education institution founded in 1996 in Glendale, California, offering associate through master-level degrees (JD, MBA, Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, Paralegal) primarily to working adults, veterans, and aspiring California attorneys.

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

Online / Hybrid Law Schools & Programs (EDAHAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Online law school
• Distance legal education
• Juris doctor programs
• Criminal justice degrees
• Business administration degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: ALU generates primary revenue from tuition payments for its degree and certificate programs. JD program costs $11,375 per year. Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans) and Federal Pell Grants are available for eligible undergraduate and graduate programs.
2. VA Education Benefits: ALU is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as an institution of higher learning (IHL) to certify enrollment for veterans eligible for GI Bill benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Abraham Lincoln University is a private online distance education institution founded in 1996 that delivers fully online law, criminal justice, business administration, and legal studies degree programs. Its flagship offering is the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, one of the nation's first fully online law degrees and registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. ALU also offers Master's, Bachelor's, Associate, Diploma, and Certificate credentials taught via asynchronous archived lectures through a Moodle-based eLearn learning management system.

Product overview

Abraham Lincoln University is an online distance education institution offering a portfolio of degree programs and professional credentials primarily focused on law, business administration, and criminal justice. The institution operates as a unified educational platform providing both undergraduate and graduate-level programs. The core products include the Juris Doctor (JD) degree - ALU's flagship online law school program - alongside Master's degrees in Law, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice, as well as Bachelor's degrees in Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration. The product portfolio is complemented by Associate degrees in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration. Additionally, ALU offers various Diploma programs (Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice) and Certificate programs including Legal Assistant, Investigation, Homeland Security, Business Law (Graduate), Human Resource Law (Graduate), and Real Estate Law (Graduate). The School of Law is registered with the State Bar of California as an unaccredited distance learning law school, while the university's other programs hold accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree ALU's flagship fully online law degree — a comprehensive Juris Doctor program designed to prepare students for the California First-Year Law Students' Examination (FYLSX) and the California Bar Examination (CBX). Requires 140 quarter units over 4 years. Registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California as an unaccredited distance learning law school. Tuition is $11,375/year. Most applicants are not required to take the LSAT. Enrollment is limited to California residents or non-residents attesting to intent to practice law in California due to U.S. Department of Education licensure requirements.
• Master of Science in Law Graduate degree providing comprehensive understanding of the legal system covering major topics in legal studies including Business Law, Employment Law, Immigration Law, Intellectual Property, and International Business Law.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online graduate degree preparing students for management positions in public, private, and non-profit organizations with critical knowledge in management, marketing, accounting, and finance concepts.
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online graduate degree preparing students for entry and advancement into criminal justice careers covering law enforcement, prosecution, trial, corrections, juvenile offenders, evidence handling, and crime scene investigation.
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies Undergraduate degree providing comprehensive understanding of the legal system covering major topics in legal studies with electives for specific areas of interest.
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Online undergraduate degree providing broad base of criminal justice topics and advanced concepts in law enforcement, prosecution, trial, corrections, juvenile offenders, and crime scene investigation.
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies Online associate degree program offering the opportunity to study legal principles at depth and gain a competitive edge in the paralegal field, with eligibility to sit for the NALA Certificate exam upon completion.
• Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Online associate degree mastering concepts of the legal system, law enforcement, evidence handling, and crime scene investigation with critical thinking about criminology, administration, and procedures.
• Diploma in Paralegal Studies Online diploma program providing the foundation in law necessary to obtain entry-level paralegal or legal assistant positions in law-related settings.
• Diploma in Criminal Justice Online diploma covering skills in secure management, safekeeping, and control of suspects and inmates with focus on criminal behavior control and law enforcement functions.
• Legal Assistant Certificate Online undergraduate certificate program developing skills necessary for effective legal writing, document processing, and legal research to prepare students for entry-level legal assistant positions.
• Investigation Certificate Online undergraduate-level certificate preparing students for entry and advancement into investigation careers with advanced knowledge of the justice system and law enforcement processes.
• Homeland Security Certificate Online certificate designed to ready students for domestic and international terrorism and careers in Homeland Security and public safety.
• Business Law Certificate (Graduate) Online graduate certificate providing diverse skills and knowledge in business law including unlawful discrimination, contract writing and negotiation, and international business law.
• Human Resource Law Certificate (Graduate) Online graduate certificate preparing students for careers in compliance and law pertaining to employment with focused legal education regarding compliance and ethics.
• Real Estate Law Certificate (Graduate) Online graduate certificate teaching real estate industry-specific skills and examining law as it pertains to contracts, intellectual property, and transactions.

Quantifiable outcome

• ALU graduates are eligible to sit for the California Bar Examination (CBX) and, upon passing and meeting moral character requirements, become licensed by the State Bar of California
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Advanced Security Concepts, Inc. (ASC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerALU partnered with Advanced Security Concepts, Inc. to enable students to earn their degree while potentially working with the security firm. The partnership provides educational and career development opportunities for students.
• Delta Theta PhiminorOthersALU's law students meeting minimum cumulative average grade thresholds are given the opportunity to join Delta Theta Phi, one of the oldest law fraternities in the United States (dating back over 100 years). Through membership, students can participate in the Adelphia Law Review.
• Westlaw (Thomson Reuters)coreTechnology or IntegrationPart-time law students receive access to the online Westlaw Law Library including staff support, 24/7 attorney reference desk, and dedicated Westlaw account manager for legal research support.
• National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA)minorOthersALU is affiliated with NALA, The Paralegal Association. Paralegal program graduates may be eligible to sit for the NALA Certificate exam upon completion.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northwestern Polytechnic University: California-based, distance-learning oriented private university offering undergraduate and graduate programs including law-adjacent and business degrees. Closely mirrors ALU's model of serving working adults via fully online delivery.
• National University: San Diego-based private nonprofit university with a heavy online presence, four-week course formats, and significant veteran/military enrollment — overlapping ALU's target segments and California base.
• University of Arizona Global Campus: Fully online university formerly known as Ashford University, serving working adults and military-affiliated learners with associate through graduate degrees — directly comparable scale and audience to ALU.
• California Southern University: Online-focused, California-headquartered private university offering law, business, and professional degrees — competes directly for the same working-adult and veteran online learner segment.
• San Joaquin College of Law: California-based private law school with evening/weekend programs serving working professionals — directly comparable use case and California Bar Exam pathway as ALU's JD.

Broad incumbents

• Western Governors University: Large, nonprofit, competency-based online university serving working adults at scale. Operates in the same online higher-ed category as ALU but with substantially broader scope and resources.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Major online and on-campus private university with extensive degree offerings for working adults and military learners — comparable audience and competitive threat at ALU's scale.

Emerging players

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law: Hybrid/online JD option among ABA-accredited schools — represents the higher-credentialed alternative competing for non-traditional law students ALU serves.
• University of the People: Tuition-free, accredited online nonprofit university serving global adult learners — competes in the affordable, accessible distance-learning credential space relevant to ALU.

Regional players

• Thomas Jefferson School of Law: California-based private law school with online/hybrid JD offerings — competes with ALU for the same California-bound, working-adult JD prospects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alulaw
• YouTubeyoutube.com/aluonlinelawschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/AbrahamLincolnUniversityandALUSchoolofLaw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abraham-lincoln-university

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Abraham Lincoln University