Ohio Dominican University

What Ohio Dominican University does

Ohio Dominican University is a private Catholic university founded in 1911 by the Dominican Sisters of Peace (originally chartered as the Literary Institute of St. Mary of the Springs), operating from a 75-acre campus at 1216 Sunbury Road in Columbus, Ohio. The university serves approximately 1,209 students across 51 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, targeting traditional undergraduate students, working adult learners, graduate students, international students, NCAA Division II athletes, and military-affiliated students. It is Central Ohio's only Catholic university and the only NCAA Division II athletic program in the region, with 16 varsity sports. The institution is sponsored by the Diocese of Columbus and governed independently by a board of trustees since separating legally and financially from the founding Dominican Sisters congregation in 1963.

The university delivers educational services through traditional on-campus residential programs, online/distance education via the ODU Online platform, and employer-sponsored onsite programs for corporate partners in Central Ohio. Core technology infrastructure consists of the PantherLearn (Brightspace/D2L) learning management system, a WebAdvisor/ODU Online student information system, Navigate360 for student success and retention, the Nelnet payment platform, Handshake for career services, and TK20 for educator-preparation assessment. Recent capital and program investments include the 25,000 sq ft Battelle Hall science building (2010, partially funded by a $2.5 million Battelle gift), the Peace Hall renovation (2017, $1.5 million Dominican Sisters of Peace gift) anchoring healthcare programs, and the launch of the MS in Physician Assistant Studies (2012) and MS in Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies (2023).

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition, room and board, auxiliary services, and alumni giving. Full-time undergraduate tuition is $18,264 per semester ($37,138 academic year), graduate tuition ranges $540-$1,204 per credit hour, housing runs $2,955-$4,744 per semester, and meal plans $2,006-$3,244 per semester. The institution is heavily discount-dependent: 99% of traditional full-time undergraduates receive financial assistance, with average scholarships and grants of $31,479 for the incoming class. Auxiliary revenue includes alumni donations and the Veritas Legacy Society planned-giving program. The university has experienced frequent presidential turnover, with four presidents plus an interim serving between 2010 and 2023.

Name

Ohio Dominican University

Legal name

Ohio Dominican University

Website

https://ohiodominican.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ohio Dominican University is a private Catholic university in Columbus, Ohio, serving 1,209 students across 51 undergraduate majors, graduate degrees, and adult continuing education programs. It is Central Ohio's only Catholic university and only NCAA Division II athletic program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH), Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Undergraduate liberal arts
• Graduate degree programs
• Online degree programs
• Adult continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Full-time undergraduate tuition charged per semester at $18,264. Part-time tuition at $930 per credit hour. Revenue generated from traditional undergraduate programs.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate tuition varies by program, ranging from $540-$1,204 per credit hour depending on the degree program (MA, MBA, MS, MEd).
3. Adult & Continuing Education: Online degree completion programs for working adults in fields including Accounting, Business, Risk Management, Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management.
4. Room and Board: On-campus housing and dining services revenue. Housing options range from $2,955 to $4,744 per semester; meal plans from $2,006 to $3,244 per semester.
5. Alumni Giving and Planned Giving: Annual Fund donations, endowed scholarships, planned giving (wills, trusts, gift annuities, IRAs), and capital campaigns support students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ohio Dominican University is a private Catholic university that delivers undergraduate liberal arts education across 51 majors, graduate degrees (MBA, MA, MS, MEd), and adult continuing-education programs on a 75-acre residential campus in Columbus, Ohio and through online/distance delivery. The university supplements instruction with NCAA Division II athletics, on-campus housing and dining, and student-support services including career development, financial aid, tutoring, and health services.

Product overview

Ohio Dominican University is a comprehensive private Catholic university offering a portfolio of educational products and services. The core offerings include traditional undergraduate programs (51 majors), graduate degree programs (MBA, MA, MEd, MS in Physician Assistant Studies, MS in Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies, and more), adult and continuing education certificates, and online/distance education through ODU Online. Supporting platforms include PantherLearn LMS, the WebAdvisor student information system, the Nelnet billing platform, and Handshake career services. The university also provides student housing, athletics (NCAA Division II with 16 sports), library services, career development, health services, campus ministries, and alumni services including planned giving programs. The institution positions itself as Central Ohio's only Catholic university with a Dominican tradition, emphasizing affordable education with 99% of full-time undergraduates receiving financial assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Four-year bachelor's degree programs across 51 majors and programs for traditional undergraduate students, with small class sizes and financial aid support; offered on the Columbus, Ohio residential campus.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master's degrees including MBA, MA, MS, and MEd, plus graduate certificates in multiple disciplines, with rolling/multiple start dates throughout the year and per-credit-hour tuition from $540 to $1,204 depending on program.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Graduate business degree with concentrations in Data Analytics, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Leadership, Risk Management, and Sport Management; tuition $685 per credit hour.
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Graduate medical program preparing students for physician assistant careers; located in the renovated St. Albert Hall; tuition $1,007 per credit hour.
• Master of Science in Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies Graduate program for anesthesiologist assistant careers, hosted in the renovated Peace Hall; tuition $1,204 per credit hour.
• Master of Education (MEd) Graduate education degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership with licensure and endorsement options; tuition $545 per credit hour.
• TESOL Programs Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages offerings including MA in TESOL ($545/credit), TESOL endorsement, and TESOL Licensure.
• Adult & Continuing Education Online Programs Flexible online degree-completion and certificate programs for working adults in Accounting, Business, Cross-Disciplinary Studies, Risk Management & Insurance, Data Analytics, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management, with per-credit-hour billing and multiple start dates.
• Professional Certificate Programs Standalone professional certificates in Accounting, Data Analytics, Risk Management & Insurance, Supply Chain Management, and Project Management (including PMP/CAPM exam prep).
• On-Campus Student Housing On-campus residence halls including Sansbury Hall (double $2,955/semester, single $3,626/semester), Aquinas/Siena Halls (suite $3,408/semester), and Lynam Hall (private $4,437–$4,744/semester).
• Meal Plans On-campus dining plans including 19 meals/week + 500 points ($3,244/semester), 12 meals/week + 700 points ($3,244/semester), 220 Block Plan ($3,077/semester), and Junior/Senior Plan ($2,006/semester).
• International Education and Study Abroad International student admissions (F-1 visa support), study abroad programs, and global education opportunities coordinated through the international education office.
• Corporate Education Partnerships Employer-sponsored onsite classes and cohort programs for Central Ohio businesses in Accounting, Business, Project Management, and Risk Management, with group-enrollment discounts and Title II tax-advantaged employer education benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of traditional full-time undergraduates received financial assistance in 2025-26
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering top high school students a direct path to medical school from ODU. This strategic alliance provides a pathway for students to progress from undergraduate studies to osteopathic medical school.
• Dominican Sisters of PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe founding congregation (established 1822) made a $1.5 million gift to establish healthcare programs. ODU's building on Airport Drive was renamed Peace Hall in their honor.
• Central Ohio EmployersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partnerships providing employee education in Accounting, Business, Project Management, and Risk Management. ODU is one of the most affordable private colleges in Ohio with Title II tax incentives available for employer education benefits.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tiffin University: Private university in Tiffin, Ohio, with strong online and adult-learner programs alongside traditional undergraduate. Directly comparable on the online/adult learner growth channel ODU is pursuing.
• Capital University: Private faith-affiliated (Lutheran) university located in Columbus, Ohio, offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Direct competitor in the same metro with similar size, private faith-based identity, and tuition model.
• Otterbein University: Private university in Westerville (Columbus metro), Ohio, offering liberal arts and professional programs with NCAA Division III athletics. Closest direct competitor for traditional undergraduate students in the Central Ohio market.
• Walsh University: Private Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio, operated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction. Direct peer as a regional Catholic university with similar enrollment scale and undergraduate/graduate program mix.
• Mount Union (University of Mount Union): Private liberal arts university in Alliance, Ohio, with NCAA Division III athletics and a similar enrollment profile. Comparable peer for residential undergraduate experience and tuition-driven business model.
• Wittenberg University: Private Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts university in Springfield, Ohio, with NCAA Division III athletics. Comparable in religious-affiliation heritage, small private scale, and liberal arts positioning in Ohio.
• Malone University: Private Christian university in Canton, Ohio, offering liberal arts and professional programs. Comparable faith-based identity, small enrollment scale, and undergraduate/graduate mix.
• University of Findlay: Private Christian university in Findlay, Ohio, with professional programs including pharmacy and health sciences. Comparable in religious affiliation, professional program expansion, and small private scale.
• Dominican University: Private Catholic (Sinsinawa Dominican) university in River Forest, Illinois. Directly comparable as a Dominican-tradition Catholic liberal arts university with similar mission, residential model, and program mix.

Broad incumbents

• Ohio State University: Major public research university headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. As the dominant Columbus-area higher education institution, it represents the broad incumbent against which ODU competes for local students and faculty.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OhioDominican
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ohiodominican
• Facebookfacebook.com/63866270439
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohio-dominican-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohiodominican
• TikToktiktok.com/@odu_admission_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Ohio Dominican University