What Ottawa University does

Ottawa University is a private, Christian-affiliated university founded in 1865 in Ottawa, Kansas by Baptist missionaries in collaboration with the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, who endowed 20,000 acres of land to support the institution. It operates across two residential campuses — Ottawa, Kansas (OUKS) and Surprise, Arizona (OUAZ, opened July 2017) — and three professional/online campuses serving Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, in addition to comprehensive online delivery. The university is governed by a ~30-member Board of Trustees, is affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA since 1905, and holds a distinctive 2008 agreement with the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma granting tuition-free education to certified tribal members across all campuses.

The institution enrolls 4,000+ students and offers degrees from associate through doctoral level through four schools: the Angell Snyder School of Business, the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education, and Nursing Programs. Core technology is the Blackboard learning management system for online and hybrid course delivery, with Oxford Medical Simulation providing virtual clinical practicum in nursing programs. Recent program activity includes the Spring 2024 launch of a BSN Pre-Licensure program at the Kansas City campus ($499/credit hour, 60 credits, 660 clinical hours, 16-month completion), online RN-to-BSN and MSN programs with Nurse Educator and Nurse Leadership tracks, multiple MBA concentrations, and a Master of Science in Computer Science. The university holds continuous HLC accreditation since 1914 and specialized accreditations from CCNE, ACBSP, CAEP, NASAC, and provisional ARC-PA, plus state operating approvals in Arizona, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Maryland.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, supplemented by auxiliary services (housing, athletics), donations, and grants under the 2022–2027 Strategic Plan and 'Forever More' capital campaign. Distribution occurs via residential enrollment (OUKS, OUAZ), inside sales for adult learners at professional campuses, self-serve/online enrollment globally, and a channel partnership with the Maricopa County Community College District for concurrent ADN/BSN enrollment. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Ottawa University

Legal name

Ottawa University

Website

https://ottawa.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ottawa University is a private Christian-affiliated university founded in 1865 serving 4,000+ students through two residential campuses (Ottawa, KS; Surprise, AZ), three professional/online campuses (Kansas City, Milwaukee, Phoenix), and online programs across associate through doctoral degrees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE), Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Private university education
• Higher education programs
• Online degree programs
• Nursing education
• Business school degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees - Degree Programs: Traditional tuition revenue from undergraduate and graduate degree programs across residential, professional, and online campuses. Primary revenue stream for the university.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ottawa University is a private Christian university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through academic schools including the Angell Snyder School of Business, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and Nursing Programs. Instruction is delivered across two residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas and Surprise, Arizona; professional/online campuses in Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix; and a comprehensive online platform (OU Online). Standalone sellable offerings include the BSN Pre-Licensure, RN-to-BSN completion, MSN, MBA, EMBA, MSCS, Master of Arts in Counseling, and Doctor of Business Administration programs.

Product overview

Ottawa University is a comprehensive private Christian university offering a multi-campus educational platform with both residential and online degree programs. The university operates through multiple academic schools including the Angell Snyder School of Business, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and Nursing Programs. Ottawa University serves over 4,000 students through two residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas (OUKS) and Surprise, Arizona (OUAZ), as well as adult/professional campuses in Kansas City, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and online through OU Online. The institution offers undergraduate degrees in fields including accounting, business administration, computer science, nursing, education, psychology, and liberal arts; graduate programs including MBA, MSN, Master of Counseling, and education degrees; and doctoral programs in business administration. Key programs include the BSN Pre-Licensure (16-month program at Kansas City), RN-to-BSN online completion, MSN with Nurse Educator/Nurse Leadership tracks, and various MBA concentrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Angell Snyder School of Business: School of business at Ottawa University offering undergraduate and graduate business degree programs
• Fredrikson Center
• Gwartney Institute
• Information Sciences & Technology Institute
• Owen Leadership Institute
• T.A.U. Institute

Products and services

• OU Online Comprehensive online education platform delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs entirely online, including RN-to-BSN, MBA concentrations, and graduate programs in counseling, education, and nursing.
• Angell Snyder School of Business Business school offering undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Economics, Finance, Human Resources, Leadership and Management, and Marketing, plus graduate degrees including MBA, MAcc, and Executive MBA, and a Doctor of Business Administration.
• School of Arts and Sciences Liberal arts school offering undergraduate degrees in Art, Biology, Communication, Computer Science, English, Exercise Science, History, Mathematics, Music, Psychology, and additional liberal arts disciplines.
• School of Education Education school offering undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Physical Education; graduate degrees including Master of Arts in Education and Education Specialist in School Psychology; and certification pathways.
• BSN Pre-Licensure Program 16-month pre-licensure nursing program at the Kansas City campus preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. Includes 60 credit hours of BSN coursework and 660 hours in clinical rotations, priced at $499 per credit hour.
• RN-to-BSN Online Completion Program Online degree completion program for registered nurses to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Offers 8-week terms with flexible online courses and 34 credit hours of nursing major courses.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Graduate nursing program with specializations in Nurse Educator and Nurse Leadership tracks, preparing nurses for advanced practice roles. Consists of 36 credit hours total.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Comprehensive MBA program with concentrations including Accounting, Business Data Analytics, Finance, Human Resources, Leadership Development, Population Health, School Business Operations, Sports Business, and Strategic Innovation.
• Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Executive MBA program with CPT available, offering concentrations in Business Data Analytics, Health Care Management, Information Technology, and Operational Effectiveness.
• Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) Graduate computer science program with CPT available, preparing students for advanced software development and technology leadership roles.
• Master of Arts in Counseling Graduate counseling program with concentrations in Addiction Counseling, Christian and Spiritual Counseling, Expressive Arts Therapy, Gerocounseling, and Treatment of Trauma, Abuse, and Deprivation.
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Highest-level business degree focusing on advanced research and scholarly contributions to the field of business administration.
• OUKS Residential Campus (Ottawa, Kansas) Historic residential campus in Ottawa, Kansas serving traditional undergraduate students with on-campus housing, athletics (Braves), and comprehensive academic programs. Established as the founding campus in 1865.
• OUAZ Residential Campus (Surprise, Arizona) Modern residential campus in Surprise, Arizona serving traditional undergraduate students with on-campus housing, athletics, and comprehensive academic programs. Opened in July 2017.
• Professional and Online Campuses Adult and graduate studies campuses serving Kansas City, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and online students, offering flexible evening and online programs for working adults.

Quantifiable outcome

• Inaugural class of 434 students recruited for Surprise, Arizona campus in 2017
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 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

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Great Jobs KC / KC ScholarscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025Ottawa University partnered with Great Jobs KC's KC Scholars Program, joining the KC Scholars College Network. This partnership supports college access and scholarship programs for students in the Kansas City region, connecting Ottawa's professional campus offerings with regional workforce development initiatives.
• Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) allowing students to simultaneously pursue Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Maricopa colleges while taking online BSN courses from Ottawa University. Students apply through the community college system and transition to OU for BSN completion upon NCLEX-RN licensure.
• Ottawa Tribe of OklahomacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership dating to university's founding in 1865. In 2008, a new agreement was signed ensuring any certified tribal member is eligible for tuition-free education at any Ottawa University campus. The tribe also provides guidance on ceremonial practices, mascot representation (Giego), and continues to affirm the use of 'Braves' mascot name.
• American Baptist Churches USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with American Baptist Churches USA since 1905. The executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region serves on the OU Board of Trustees. Many churches include OU in their mission giving budgets.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• National University: Private non-profit university with a large online and hybrid portfolio serving adult learners, including nursing, business, and education. Comparable to Ottawa on professional/online learner focus and multi-state approvals, but at much larger scale.
• Western Governors University: Non-profit online competency-based university with strong nursing, business, education, and IT programs. Comparable to Ottawa on online delivery, multiple state approvals, and credentialed degree mix; competes in the same RN-to-BSN and MBA online markets.

Direct peers

• Tabor College: Private Mennonite university in Hillsboro, Kansas with traditional undergraduate and adult/online programs. Comparable to Ottawa on faith affiliation, small private scale, and adult-learner delivery model.
• Baker University: Private Methodist-affiliated university in Baldwin City, Kansas with residential undergraduate and professional/graduate programs including nursing and business. Comparable to Ottawa in faith affiliation, Kansas anchor, and multi-modal adult-learner offerings.
• Benedictine College: Private Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas with traditional residential undergraduate focus. Comparable to Ottawa on faith affiliation and Kansas residential base, though more residential-centric with less online scale.
• Friends University: Private faith-affiliated (Quaker/Mennonite heritage) university in Wichita, Kansas serving traditional undergraduates and adult learners. Closely comparable to Ottawa's faith-rooted Kansas presence, multi-modality delivery, and small private scale.
• Southwestern College (Kansas): Private Methodist-affiliated college in Winfield, Kansas with traditional undergraduate and professional/online programs including nursing and education. Closely mirrors Ottawa's faith affiliation, Kansas base, and professional studies model.
• MidAmerica Nazarene University: Private Christian (Nazarene) university in Olathe, Kansas offering residential, adult, and online programs with strong nursing and education portfolios. Directly comparable to Ottawa in faith affiliation, Kansas City-area footprint, and program mix.

Broad incumbents

• Grand Canyon University: Large private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona with a dominant online and traditional campus operation. Comparable to Ottawa on faith affiliation, Arizona presence, and online growth, but at materially larger scale.
• Oral Roberts University: Private charismatic Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma with traditional undergraduate and graduate programs including nursing and theology. Comparable to Ottawa on Christian mission and faith-rooted program mix, though more residential-centric.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ottawau
• Facebookfacebook.com/OttawaUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/theottawau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/23611

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Ottawa University