Susquehanna University

What Susquehanna University does

Susquehanna University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, operating from a single residential campus along the Susquehanna River. It serves approximately 2,200 undergraduate students across four academic schools (School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences, and Sigmund Weis School of Business) and offers over 100 majors and minors, plus graduate programs including a Master of Education, an MBA 4+1, and assured-acceptance pathways into partner institutions. The university is differentiated by the Susquehanna Promise (a four-year graduation guarantee encompassing Career Accelerator, Hands-On Learning, Global Engagement, and Capstone Credibility), a 97% study abroad participation rate, and the only U.S. undergraduate Luxury Brand Marketing & Management major.

The university's core technology stack consists of standard higher-education IT systems managed by an internal Office of Information Technology: a public-facing website (susqu.edu), a student portal (myNest), a Blackboard learning management system, the Hawk Hub student services hub, a Career Accelerator Journey platform, and a River Hawk admissions portal, all secured with 128-bit SSL encryption. Auxiliary digital channels include an Instagram presence, YouTube video content, and virtual campus tours. The university does not operate a commercial SaaS product; its "products" are academic and student-experience programs (GO Study Abroad, Guided Capstone, Summer Pre-College Programs) delivered in person.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring tuition and fees, room and board, and ancillary streams including summer pre-college programs and event rentals; a 501(c)(3) governance structure supplements operating revenue with donations through GiveCampus and structured giving campaigns. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, executed through regional admission representatives, campus tours (in-person and virtual), admission events, and pre-college summer programs, supported by content marketing on social and owned channels. Customer segmentation is hybrid: first-year undergraduates are primary, with graduate, transfer, and international students as secondary segments.

Name

Susquehanna University

Legal name

Susquehanna University

Website

https://susqu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1858

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Susquehanna University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts university in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, serving approximately 2,200 undergraduates across 100+ majors through four academic schools and select graduate programs. It differentiates via guaranteed signature experiences, a 97% study abroad rate, and niche programs like the only U.S. Luxury Brand Marketing major.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH), Selective/Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAJ)

Keywords

• Liberal arts education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Study abroad programs
• Career development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Selinsgrove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with varying costs for different programs. The university offers the Susquehanna Promise for four-year graduation guarantee.
2. Room and Board: On-campus housing and dining services revenue, including various housing options and dining plans.
3. Summer Pre-College Programs: Revenue from educational programs for high school students seeking college preparation experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts university offering more than 100 undergraduate majors and minors plus graduate degrees across four academic schools (School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences, and Sigmund Weis School of Business). It sells tuition-based education anchored by signature programs—Career Accelerator, Learn By Doing experiential learning, GO Study Abroad (97% participation), and Guided Capstone projects—plus accelerated pathways (MBA 4+1, Pharmacy 3+4, Engineering 3+2) and on-campus housing and dining services.

Product overview

Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts university offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across four academic schools: the School of the Arts, School of Humanities, School of Natural & Social Sciences, and Sigmund Weis School of Business. The university provides a future-ready liberal arts foundation through its Central Curriculum and distinctive signature programs including the Career Accelerator (combining academic advising with career development), Learn By Doing experiential learning philosophy, GO Study Abroad (with 97% student participation), and Guided Capstone projects. Unique offerings include the only U.S. Luxury Brand Marketing & Management major, accelerated pathways like the MBA 4+1 and Pharmacy 3+4 programs, and the Susquehanna Promise guaranteeing four signature experiences with a four-year graduation guarantee. Additional services include the Hawk Hub student services portal, Summer Pre-College Programs for high school students, and comprehensive research opportunities with faculty mentorship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• River Hawks: The athletic teams of Susquehanna University, competing in NCAA Division III sports.

Products and services

• Career Accelerator A four-year career development program combining academic advising, career coaching, internships, and employer connections structured in three phases (Foundation, Design, Execute) to build career readiness from first year through graduation. Targeted at Susquehanna undergraduate students.
• GO Study Abroad Award-winning international study programs allowing students to study abroad for two weeks to a semester, with 97% student participation. Offered to Susquehanna undergraduates seeking cross-cultural experience.
• Guided Capstone A faculty-mentored capstone project completed before graduation demonstrating student capability through research, creative work, or professional projects. Targeted at Susquehanna undergraduates nearing degree completion.
• Luxury Brand Marketing & Management Major An undergraduate major examining nuances of marketing luxury brands; the only program of its kind offered by a U.S. university. Targeted at undergraduate students interested in luxury brand marketing careers.
• Master of Education Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction completed in as few as five semesters (34 semester hours). Targeted at aspiring or current educators seeking advanced credentials.
• MBA 4+1 Program An accelerated MBA program allowing students to earn a Master of Business Administration in as little as one year after completing undergraduate studies. Targeted at Susquehanna undergraduates and recent graduates pursuing business credentials.
• Pharmacy 3+4 Programs Partnership programs with Duquesne University and Temple University allowing students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in seven years total. Targeted at undergraduates pursuing pharmacy careers.
• Engineering 3+2 Program A cooperative program allowing students to earn a bachelor's degree at Susquehanna in three years followed by two years at a partner engineering school. Targeted at undergraduates pursuing engineering careers.
• Summer Pre-College Programs Summer educational programs for high school students offering college-level courses, on-campus housing, and a taste of college life. Targeted at high school students considering Susquehanna for undergraduate enrollment.
• Susquehanna Promise A four-year graduation guarantee ensuring students receive four signature experiences: Career Accelerator, Hands-On Learning, Global Engagement, and Capstone Credibility. Targeted at admitted and enrolled undergraduate students.
• Future Ready You A student preparation program combining career direction, real-world experience, and skills development that last beyond graduation. Targeted at prospective and current undergraduate students.
• Publishing & Editing Major A hands-on undergraduate publishing major preparing students for careers in digital outlets, traditional publishing houses, indie magazines, or scholarly journals. Targeted at undergraduates interested in publishing careers.
• Music Production Major An undergraduate degree blending technical expertise with creative artistry, offering immersive hands-on experience composing and producing music. Targeted at undergraduates pursuing music production careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of students study abroad
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Duquesne UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pharmacy 3+4 Programs allowing students to earn a bachelor's degree from Susquehanna and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Duquesne University in seven years total.
• Temple UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Pharmacy 3+4 Programs enabling students to complete three years at Susquehanna followed by four years at Temple University for the PharmD degree.
• Penn State Smeal College of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssured acceptance partnership for the Master's in Management and Organizational Leadership program, bridging science/technical backgrounds with business education.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dickinson College: Private liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with around 2,400 students. Direct peer given similar size, Pennsylvania location, strong study abroad programming, and residential liberal arts model.
• Franklin & Marshall College: Private liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with roughly 2,400 undergraduates. Direct peer due to similar enrollment size, Pennsylvania geography, and residential liberal arts model.
• Juniata College: Private liberal arts college in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, with around 1,500 students. Comparable as a small Pennsylvania-based liberal arts institution with strong science and pre-professional programs.
• Bucknell University: A private liberal arts university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, with roughly 3,700 undergraduates. Highly comparable as a Pennsylvania-based private liberal arts institution with a similar mix of professional and pre-professional programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and similar tuition positioning.
• Gettysburg College: Private liberal arts college in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with approximately 2,600 students. Comparable in scale, regional positioning, NCAA Division III athletics, and emphasis on experiential learning.
• Lafayette College: Private liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania, with approximately 2,700 undergraduates. Closely comparable to Susquehanna in size, selectivity, regional Pennsylvania footprint, and career-outcome positioning.
• Elizabethtown College: Private liberal arts college in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, with approximately 1,800-2,000 students. Comparable in scale, regional positioning, and co-educational residential liberal arts model.
• Lycoming College: Private liberal arts college in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with approximately 1,100 students. Comparable in scale, regional Pennsylvania positioning, and career-focused liberal arts programming.
• Ursinus College: Private liberal arts college in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, with approximately 1,500 students. Direct peer as a small Pennsylvania liberal arts institution with comparable size and experiential learning emphasis.
• Muhlenberg College: Private liberal arts college in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with approximately 2,000-2,200 students. Closely comparable in scale, Pennsylvania location, NCAA Division III athletics, and emphasis on pre-professional programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/susquehannaU
• Instagraminstagram.com/susquehannau
• Xx.com/susquehannau
• Facebookfacebook.com/17361373855
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/susquehanna-university

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 Susquehanna University