Simpson University
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1921
- HeadquartersRedding, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Simpson University does
Simpson University is a private, Christ-centered university founded in 1921 and located at 2211 College View Drive in Redding, California, serving the North State region. The institution delivers higher education across multiple modalities: traditional four-year residential undergraduate programs (15+ majors including Nursing, Business, Engineering, Psychology, and Theology), the ASPIRE degree completion track for working adults, graduate degrees (MBA, M.A. in Counseling Psychology, M.A. in Education, Master of Divinity, and others), and the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary. Distinct academic units include the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing (top-ranked private BSN program in California, graduating ~90 nurses annually with 100% licensure pass rates) and the School of Education offering credentialing pathways. Total enrollment exceeds 1,000 students, of which 766 are traditional undergraduates, supported by 25 NAIA athletics programs in which 80% of students participate.
The university generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees, room and board, and athletic program participation, supplemented by donations and fundraising that yielded $24M in student scholarships in 2024-2025. Its go-to-market is direct-to-consumer across segmented admissions funnels: traditional undergraduates (high school outreach, campus visits, athletic recruitment), ASPIRE adult learners (virtual info sessions, flexible scheduling), graduate students (program-specific recruiting), veteran students (VA benefits navigation through the Veterans Success Center), and international students. Marketing channels include the WordPress-based website (simpsonu.edu), Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, preview weekends, and email newsletters.
Operationally, Simpson is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by President Dr. Norman Hall, whose contract was renewed through 2033 after driving more than 45% enrollment growth since 2018. The technology stack is conventional: a WordPress CMS with standard digital marketing and analytics integrations. The institution is investing in capacity expansion through a new STEM building, a near-doubling of nursing enrollment, and a new Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies program launching Fall 2026. It maintains regional partnerships including an alignment with Shasta College for nursing workforce pipeline in California's rural Region 1.
Simpson University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simpson University
- Legal name
- Simpson University
- Website
- https://simpsonu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1921
- Operating status
- Operating
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simpson University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education (Private University)
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)
Keywords
Where Simpson University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redding
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Simpson University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and seminary tuition, along with associated fees for various programs including the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing and A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary.
- Room and Board: On-campus housing and dining services revenue from residential students.
- Athletic Programs: Revenue from NAIA athletic programs including football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and bass fishing, with 80% of students participating in athletics.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions through the advancement office, with $24M in scholarships provided to students in 2024-2025.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate Programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Simpson University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simpson University is a Christ-centered private university offering bachelor's, master's, and seminary degree programs through on-campus instruction in Redding, California, and flexible online/hybrid delivery for adult learners. Core offerings include 15+ undergraduate majors, graduate degrees (MBA, counseling, education, ministry), the ASPIRE Degree Completion program for working adults, the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing BSN program, the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, and the School of Education teacher credentialing programs, supported by 25 NAIA athletic programs.
Product overview
Simpson University is a Christ-centered private university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services across undergraduate, graduate, degree completion, and seminary programs. The university operates as a multi-modular platform featuring distinct schools: the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing (acclaimed BSN program), the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary (divinity programs), and the School of Education (teacher credentials). Core academic products include 15+ undergraduate majors, graduate degrees (MBA, counseling psychology, education), ASPIRE adult degree completion programs, and a newly launched Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies. The institution also provides athletics programs under the Red Hawks brand with 25 NAIA sports. All offerings are unified by the university's Christ-centered mission and commitment to career outcomes, supported by a job placement guarantee.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary: Theological seminary division of Simpson University offering Master of Divinity, M.A. in Ministry Leadership, and other theological programs.
- Betty M. Dean School of Nursing
- ASPIRE Degree Completion
- Simpson Scholars Honors Program
- School of Education
Products and services
- Undergraduate Majors
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% of students in a career or grad school within 6 months of graduation
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Simpson University
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Simpson University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Simpson University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Shasta CollegecoreShasta College endorsed Simpson University's nursing enrollment expansion, serving as the region's only other registered nursing school. This collaboration supports California's Region 1 rural healthcare workforce needs and demonstrates regional stakeholder alignment for nursing education.
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & InstituteminorPartnership to host the Great American Leadership Program Northern California Leadership Summit at Simpson University. This selective leadership experience for rising 9th-12th grade students engages in leadership exercises and collaborative challenges.
- BAM Pro-Am Bass TournamentminorSimpson University's bass fishing team participates in the BAM Pro-Am Bass Tournament at Lake Shasta. The program is in its 7th year as the only fully funded collegiate bass fishing program west of Texas.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Simpson University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- William Jessup University: Private Christian university in Rocklin, California, with similar size, faith-based mission, undergraduate and graduate programs, and NAIA athletics. Closely comparable in regional footprint, denominational affiliation, and student demographic.
- Biola University: Private Christian university in La Mirada, California with undergraduate, graduate, and Talbot School of Theology programs. Comparable faith-based positioning, similar theological seminary structure, and overlapping California recruitment geography.
- Fresno Pacific University: Private Christian university in Fresno, California with undergraduate, graduate, and credential programs. Comparable faith-based mission, California regional focus, and emphasis on teacher education and professional preparation.
- Concordia University Irvine: Private Lutheran-affiliated university in Irvine, California offering undergraduate, graduate, and credential programs. Comparable as a faith-affiliated private institution in California with athletics and theological programs.
- Azusa Pacific University: Faith-affiliated private Christian university in Azusa, California offering undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs. Similar Christ-centered mission, though larger scale and broader program portfolio make it a direct competitor for the same student demographic.
- Hope International University: Private Christian university in Fullerton, California with undergraduate, graduate, and Pacific Theological Seminary programs. Comparable in size, Christ-centered mission, and California regional focus.
- California Baptist University: Private Christian university in Riverside, California with extensive undergraduate and graduate programs, NCAA Division II athletics, and faith-based mission. Comparable as a faith-affiliated private university competing for similar California students.
- Vanguard University: Private Christian university in Costa Mesa, California with undergraduate and graduate programs including seminary and education tracks. Similar size, denominational affiliation, and emphasis on faith-integrated academics.
- Point Loma Nazarene University: Private faith-affiliated university in San Diego with NAIA athletics and Christ-centered mission. Comparable in religious affiliation, undergraduate/graduate offerings, and emphasis on integrating faith with academics.
Broad incumbents
- Pepperdine University: Larger faith-affiliated private university in Malibu, California with Seaver College, graduate schools, and NCAA Division I athletics. Overlaps with Simpson on faith-based positioning and California recruitment but operates at significantly greater scale and broader program breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Simpson University social profiles
Digital presenceSimpson University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Simpson University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simpson University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Simpson University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simpson 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 Simpson University
What does Simpson University do?
Simpson University is a Christ-centered private university offering bachelor's, master's, and seminary degree programs through on-campus instruction in Redding, California, and flexible online/hybrid delivery for adult learners. Core offerings include 15+ undergraduate majors, graduate degrees (MBA, counseling, education, ministry), the ASPIRE Degree Completion program for working adults, the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing BSN program, the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, and the School of Education teacher credentialing programs, supported by 25 NAIA athletic programs.
Is Simpson University a public or private company?
Simpson University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Simpson University founded?
Simpson University was founded in 1921.
Where is Simpson University based?
Simpson University is headquartered in Redding, United States, in the North America region.
How does Simpson University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are room and Board, athletic Programs and donations and Fundraising.
Who are Simpson University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are William Jessup University, Biola University, Fresno Pacific University, Concordia University Irvine, Azusa Pacific University, Hope International University, California Baptist University, Vanguard University and Point Loma Nazarene University. Pepperdine University is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Simpson University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simpson University.
What industry is Simpson University in?
Simpson University's product category is Higher Education (Private University). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAKAG, Christian Colleges with Theological Programs, with a secondary code of EDAHACAF, Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 61131 and its SIC code is 8200.