Aurora University

What Aurora University does

Aurora University is a private non-profit higher education institution headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, operating three physical campuses — the main Aurora campus, a Woodstock, Illinois location, and the George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin — alongside a 100% online degree portal at online.aurora.edu. The institution delivers more than 60 undergraduate majors, multiple graduate programs including MS in Athletic Training, MBA, MPA, MSW, and criminal justice, accelerated Plus One master's pathways, and a fully online program portfolio, supported by a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 20,000-student-plus experiential learning pipeline where 76% of students participate in internships, clinical rotations, field experiences, or practicum.

The institution's core technology stack consists of the Brightspace learning management system for online and hybrid course delivery and Okta for single sign-on identity management across university systems. Instructional delivery is supplemented by a network of clinical rotation, internship, and employer partnerships with major healthcare systems (Northwestern Medicine, Lurie Children's, Advocate Medical Group), professional services firms (PwC, Grant Thornton, Sikich), federal agencies (FBI, DHS, U.S. Senate), and NCAA athletics programs, including the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Red Stars. The institution holds Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation and specialized program accreditations from CAATE (Athletic Training) and NSCA (Exercise Science), and operates 25 NCAA Division III athletic teams.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees across undergraduate, graduate, and online programs (recurring, subscription-like model), supplemented by auxiliary revenue streams including campus bookstore operations, parking services, and external facility rentals. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, employing a traditional higher education enrollment model targeting undergraduate freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, international students, online learners, and military veterans through campus visits, application portals, virtual information sessions, and community outreach. Financial aid, including the Robert Noyce STEM Teacher Scholarship of up to $18,000 annually, offsets costs for qualifying students, and the institution markets an "affordable cost" value proposition with public Net Price Calculators.

Name

Aurora University

Legal name

Aurora University

Website

https://aurora.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1893

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Aurora University is a private non-profit higher education institution headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, operating three campuses plus online programs that serve undergraduate, graduate, transfer, international, online, and veteran students across 60+ majors and multiple master's degrees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Land-Grant–Like/Extension-Oriented Private Research Universities (Applied Outreach) (EDAHABAK)

Keywords

• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online higher education
• Accelerated master's programs
• Experiential learning education

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with online programs, on-campus programs, and various degree levels. Financial aid available to offset costs for qualifying students.
2. Campus Services: Revenue from campus bookstore operations, parking services, and facility rentals to external parties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aurora University is a private non-profit higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across more than 60 academic majors, including business, healthcare, science, education, and social sciences. The university delivers instruction through traditional on-campus programs at three physical campuses (Aurora, Woodstock, and Williams Bay), accelerated one-year master's degrees, and 100% online degree pathways. Revenue is driven primarily by tuition and fees, supported by campus services including bookstore, parking, and facility rentals.

Product overview

Aurora University is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and student services. The university provides undergraduate degree programs across 60+ majors, graduate programs including accelerated master's degrees, and 100% online programs. Key academic offerings include Athletic Training (MS) with CAATE accreditation, Accounting (BS) aligned with CPA standards, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, and accelerated graduate pathways. Beyond academics, the university supports students through services including Campus Public Safety, Career Services with the Spartan Attic clothing program, AUSA Student Government, and an on-campus bookstore.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• George Williams College: College within Aurora University named after the founder of the YMCA, located at the George Williams Campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Traditional four-year bachelor's degree programs across more than 60 academic areas including business, healthcare, science, education, and social sciences. Targeted at undergraduate freshmen seeking a residential college experience.
• Graduate Programs Master's degree programs including Athletic Training (MS), Business Administration (MBA), Criminal Justice, and Public Administration offered in accelerated one-year formats. Targeted at graduate students seeking advanced degrees.
• Online Programs 100% online degree programs for remote students including criminal justice bachelor's, exercise science master's, and public administration. Delivered through a dedicated online portal at online.aurora.edu. Targeted at online and remote learners.
• Accelerated Advantage Programs Accelerated graduate degree programs (Plus One) allowing students to complete a master's degree in one year while gaining professional experience. Targeted at students seeking accelerated degree completion.
• Athletic Training (MS) Master's degree in Athletic Training with CAATE accreditation, combining anatomy, physiology, and sports injury treatment knowledge through hands-on coursework and clinical rotations. Targeted at students pursuing careers in athletic training.
• Accounting (BS) Bachelor's degree in accounting with CPA exam preparation, designed to align with Illinois CPA standards and includes internship opportunities. Targeted at students pursuing accounting careers.
• Environmental Studies and Sustainability BA in Environmental Studies and Sustainability combining natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities with focus on environmental challenges and communication across disciplines. Targeted at students interested in environmental careers.
• George Williams College Programs College within Aurora University located at the Williams Bay, Wisconsin campus, named after YMCA founder George Williams. Houses recreation administration program with historical connection to the YMCA movement.
• Transfer Student Programs Transfer admission pathways for students from community colleges and other institutions to complete their bachelor's degree at Aurora University. Targeted at transfer students seeking credit transfer efficiency.
• University Bookstore On-campus and online bookstore offering textbooks, school supplies, apparel, and gear located in Dunham Hall on the Aurora campus. Targeted at students, faculty, and the broader campus community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of students participate in internships, field experiences, student teaching, clinical rotation, or practicum
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine RockfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuaranteed admission agreement allowing qualified AU students to earn direct path to Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology degree. Students interested in the program should contact the chair of biology and physical sciences.
• DePaul University College of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-law affiliation agreement providing qualified AU students with pathway considerations for law school admission
• Northern Illinois University College of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-law affiliation agreement providing qualified AU students with pathway considerations for law school admission
• Marquette University Law SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-law affiliation agreement providing qualified AU students with pathway considerations for law school admission
• Advocate Medical GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site for athletic training graduate students, providing hands-on patient care experience
• Northwestern MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site for athletic training students offering healthcare exposure
• Lurie Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site for athletic training students in pediatric healthcare setting
• Northwestern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for athletic training clinical rotations; AU students have traveled with Northwestern football team for international experiences
• Benedictine UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site partner for athletic training education
• Chicago Red StarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional sports organization providing clinical rotation opportunities for athletic training students
• Hinsdale OrthopedicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site for athletic training students specializing in orthopedic care
• OrthoIllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical rotation site for athletic training students in orthopedic specialty
• Morton ArboretumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for biology students through Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area
• Shedd AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for biology students through Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area
• Argonne National LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship and research experience site for biology and science students
• Illinois CPA SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program partnership promoting diversity in accounting profession with access to training, resources, and mentors
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBig Four accounting firm that employs AU accounting graduates
• Grant ThorntonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting firm employer of AU accounting graduates
• SikichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal accounting and consulting firm; internship site and employer of AU graduates including Isabel Schultz '22
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployer of AU athletic training graduates Hayley Stout '18 and Katherine Norris '20 for worker wellness programs
• IMG AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for exercise science students at sports performance facility
• Loyola University ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for exercise science students
• George Williams College (Williams Bay, Wisconsin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus of Aurora University named after YMCA founder George Williams; houses recreation administration program with historical connection to YMCA movement
• Philadelphia Insurance CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for environmental studies student Angie Lopez '23 on environmental underwriting team
• Orange County CoastkeeperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit clean-water organization; internship site for biology and environmental studies student Courtney Rickard
• Amazon Web ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for psychology student Darryl Harris in sourcing recruiter role for technical sales
• AvanademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Accenture and Microsoft; remote software engineering internship for McKyley Cherry
• Kane County State's Attorney OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for criminal justice and political science student Joshua Hunter '24
• Kendall County State's Attorney OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for criminal justice student Joshua Hunter '24
• Hesed HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for political science and public policy students
• Illinois General AssemblyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship site for political science students providing government experience
• Chicago-Kent College of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLUS (Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars) program partner; Joshua Hunter '24 attended their summer program

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DePaul University: Largest private university in Illinois, headquartered in Chicago, with a substantially broader program portfolio, larger enrollment, and stronger national brand. Partners with Aurora via pre-law affiliation but also competes for Chicago-area talent at a higher price point.
• Wheaton College: Larger, more established private Christian liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois with stronger brand and broader resources. Competes for the same Illinois high-achieving undergraduate segment but at a higher price point and with greater prestige.

Direct peers

• Concordia University Chicago: Private Lutheran university in River Forest, Illinois with comparable program breadth, accelerated graduate offerings, and similar enrollment scale. Direct competitor in Chicago-area private university segment.
• Illinois Wesleyan University: Private liberal arts university in Bloomington, Illinois with similar-sized enrollment and comparable NCAA Division III athletics model. Comparable private non-profit comprehensive university in Illinois.
• Lewis University: Private Catholic university in Romeoville, Illinois with similar undergraduate/graduate program mix, NCAA Division II athletics, and Chicago-area recruitment footprint. Direct competitor for transfer and commuter students.
• Benedictine University: Private Catholic university in Lisle, Illinois offering undergraduate and graduate programs with similar size, mission, and competitive positioning in the Chicago western suburbs. Direct regional competitor for tuition-paying students.
• Dominican University: Private Catholic comprehensive university in River Forest, Illinois with overlapping undergraduate program mix and Chicago-area recruitment. Comparable scale and tuition positioning.
• University of St. Francis: Private Catholic university in Joliet, Illinois with comparable size, professional program emphasis (especially healthcare and education), and Chicago-area commuter student base. Direct competitor in regional market.
• North Central College: Private comprehensive liberal arts college in Naperville, Illinois serving a similar Illinois student profile with comparable NCAA Division III athletics and accelerated graduate offerings. Highly overlapping value proposition and recruitment geography.
• Elmhurst University: Private comprehensive university in Elmhurst, Illinois competing for similar commuter and residential undergraduate populations in the Chicago western suburbs with comparable professional and pre-professional programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aurorau
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/aurorauniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/aurorauniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/edu/school?id=18243
• Instagraminstagram.com/aurorauniversity

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Aurora University