Carroll College

What Carroll College does

Carroll College is a private, independent Catholic liberal arts college founded in 1909 by the Diocese of Helena and located in Helena, Montana, the state capital. The institution serves traditional undergraduates, graduate students, transfer students, student veterans, and students seeking a Catholic faith-based education, supported by 251-500 employees. Its core product is in-person undergraduate education across eight academic areas — Health Professions, Arts and Humanities, Animal Studies, Natural Sciences, Business, Computer Science and Engineering, Teacher Education, and Social Science and Communication — delivered at an average class size of 12 students. Beyond undergraduate programs, Carroll offers graduate degrees including a Master of Social Work, an Accelerated Nursing track, and a hybrid cybersecurity program, along with specialized pre-professional pathways (notably a Pre-Law track anchored by 3+3 accelerated BA/JD partnerships with the University of Montana School of Law and Gonzaga University School of Law).

The college's underlying technology is conventional third-party SaaS infrastructure — OKTA for authentication, Handshake for career recruitment, Google Analytics, Big Interview, and an institutional LMS — with no proprietary technology stack, AI capabilities, or developed software products. Differentiated offerings are experiential rather than technological: the Carroll Adventure and Mountaineering Program (CAMP), service-learning integrated with Catholic Social Teaching, undergraduate research programs (CURES and SURES), an Honors Scholars Program, and a student-run Carroll College Exit Poll in partnership with Montana PBS. International learning is delivered through an exclusive Exeter College/Oxford summer program alongside ISEP consortium access to 40+ countries.

Carroll's business model is a tuition-driven nonprofit college operating model. Primary revenue comes from tuition and mandatory fees (recurring, subscription-like academic year billing), supplemented by auxiliary services revenue from housing, dining, the Saints' Shoppe bookstore, and event ticketing (Symphony Under the Stars co-hosted with Helena Symphony draws approximately 18,000 attendees). Institutional advancement and fundraising — annual giving, major gifts, and Saints Giving Day campaigns through the Give Now portal — provide philanthropic support. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through the admission office via campus visits, Saints Spot virtual town halls, application campaigns for Fall 2026, and transfer student pathways, with employer-side recruitment via Handshake and paid career fair tables. Geographic concentration is heavily Montana/Rocky Mountain West, with international demand served through outbound study abroad rather than inbound international enrollment at scale.

Name

Carroll College

Legal name

Carroll College

Website

https://carroll.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Carroll College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Helena, Montana, founded in 1909, serving undergraduate and graduate students with an average class size of 12, eight academic program areas, graduate programs in social work, nursing, and cybersecurity, and accelerated 3+3 law degree partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Liberal Arts)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Catholic liberal arts education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate professional programs
• Pre-law pre-health pathways
• Study abroad programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Carroll College generates primary revenue from tuition and mandatory fees charged to undergraduate and graduate students for academic programs.
2. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from housing, dining, the Saints' Shoppe bookstore, and other student life services.
3. Institutional Advancement and Fundraising: Annual giving, major gifts, alumni donations through the Give Now portal, and Saints Giving Day campaigns.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from events such as Symphony Under the Stars including vendor fees and sponsorship opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Carroll College delivers Catholic liberal arts education through bachelor's degree programs across eight academic areas (Health Professions, Arts & Humanities, Animal Studies, Natural Sciences, Business, Computer Science & Engineering, Teacher Education, and Social Science & Communication), plus graduate programs including Master of Social Work, Accelerated Nursing, and a hybrid Cybersecurity program. The college also offers pre-professional pathways (Pre-Law, Pre-Health), accelerated 3+3 law degrees, study abroad, and signature student experiences such as the Carroll College Exit Poll and undergraduate research, supported by an average class size of 12.

Product overview

Carroll College is a Catholic liberal arts college offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The institution provides undergraduate programs across eight major academic areas (Health Professions, Arts & Humanities, Animal Studies, Natural Sciences, Business, Computer Science & Engineering, Teacher Education, and Social Science & Communication), along with graduate programs including a Master of Social Work, Accelerated Nursing track, and hybrid cybersecurity program. The college operates specialized pre-professional pathways including Pre-Law with 3+3 accelerated degree partnerships with University of Montana and Gonzaga law schools. Student support services include Career Services (featuring Handshake recruitment platform), study abroad programs (including Oxford Exeter College partnership), service-learning integrated with Catholic Social Teaching, undergraduate research (CURES and SURES programs), and the Honors Scholars Program. The institution also conducts the Carroll College Exit Poll as a signature student research initiative. Average class size is 12 students, and the college has been ranked #1 Regional Colleges in the West for 11 of the past 12 years by U.S. News & World Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Bachelor's degree programs across eight academic areas: Health Professions, Arts & Humanities, Animal Studies, Natural Sciences, Business, Computer Science & Engineering, Teacher Education, and Social Science & Communication. Delivered with an average class size of 12 students.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level programs including the Master of Social Work, Accelerated Nursing track, and hybrid Cybersecurity program, designed for working professionals and career changers with online and hybrid delivery options.
• Pre-Law Pathway A pre-professional pathway centered in the Political Science department that prepares students for law school through specialized courses, LSAT preparation, legal internships, and partnerships with University of Montana School of Law and Gonzaga University School of Law for accelerated 3+3 programs.
• 3+3 Accelerated Law Degree Programs Accelerated partnership programs with University of Montana School of Law and Gonzaga University School of Law allowing students to complete both a baccalaureate degree and Juris Doctor in six years instead of seven, saving one year of tuition.
• Political Science Program Comprehensive political science education covering American government, constitutional law, and international relations, with practical internship opportunities at the Montana state capital made possible by Carroll's Helena location.
• Study Abroad Programs International study opportunities including the Exeter College at University of Oxford six-week summer program (limited to 90 students worldwide from institutions including UC Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale), exchange programs in Japan, South Korea, Chile, Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Norway, plus ISEP consortium membership for semester exchanges in 40+ countries and faculty-led programs to Peru, Mexico, South Africa, France, and the Middle East.
• Service-Learning Program A pedagogy that integrates community service with academic coursework and reflection, connecting Catholic Social Teaching with civic engagement through partnerships with local Helena community organizations.
• Career Services Comprehensive career development support including the Handshake recruitment platform, career fairs, internship coordination, graduate school preparation, interviewing skills training, and employer networking events for students and alumni.
• Carroll College Exit Poll Student-run political research project since 2014 conducting election day exit polls across Montana, producing publishable research data and media partnerships with Montana PBS.
• Undergraduate Research Programs Course-based (CURES) and independent (SURES) undergraduate research experiences in chemistry, biology, and biochemistry with opportunities for peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.
• Honors Scholars Program Distinguished academic program for high-achieving students featuring immersive coursework, research projects, and individualized attention from faculty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% medical school acceptance rate for Carroll alumni
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gonzaga University School of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Accelerated 3+3 pathway allowing students to complete undergraduate degree at Carroll, then attend Gonzaga Law School, transferring first-year law credits back to complete BA. Saves a year of tuition and enables earlier workforce entry.
• University of Montana School of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 20193+3 dual-degree program enabling students to complete both a baccalaureate degree and Juris Doctor in six years rather than seven. Also includes 4+1 partnership for Master of Public Administration degree. First-of-its-kind public-private partnership for both institutions.
• Exeter College, University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Multi-year agreement for six-week Exeter College Summer Programme. Carroll students live and study at Oxford, participating in small, discussion-based classes with Oxford faculty. Exclusive program admitting only 90 students worldwide from institutions including UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale.
• Helena SymphonyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting the annual Symphony Under the Stars concert event, considered the largest summer event in Montana attracting approximately 18,000 attendees. Partnership includes celebration events and production collaboration.
• First StudentminorOthersShuttle service provider for Symphony Under the Stars event, offering free transportation from three off-site locations (Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds, Centennial Park, Getchell Street Parking Garage) to campus.
• Merlin CCCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic philosophy non-profit providing Merlin Student Scholar Fellowship to Carroll students. Fellowship includes research, writing, and philosophy in community activities. Julianna Breit was Merlin's first undergraduate fellow.
• ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium membership allowing students to study abroad for a semester in more than 40 countries through exchange programs.
• Study Abroad Exchange PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange opportunities with institutions in Japan, South Korea, Chile, Spain, France, England, Ireland, and Norway. Faculty-led programs to Peru, Mexico, South Africa, France, and Middle East (Uganda, Spain and others expected).
• St. Peter's HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing medical shadowing opportunities exclusively to Carroll College juniors and seniors interested in health sciences, pre-med pathway, and clinical careers.
• M.J. Murdock Charitable TrustminorOthersLong-term supporter of undergraduate research at Carroll, providing support for faculty start-up research, scientific instrumentation, and natural science research grants.
• HandshakecoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline recruitment platform used by Carroll Career Services to connect students with employers, post jobs and internships, conduct on-campus interviews, and manage the recruitment process.
• Student Veterans of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing John Edelman Scholars Scholarship to outstanding student veterans pursuing mental health counseling careers. Ryan Rector named as one of two first nationwide recipients.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Pacific University: Free Methodist-affiliated private university in Seattle with similar enrollment size, liberal arts core, and Pacific Northwest student recruitment overlap.
• Gonzaga University: Jesuit Catholic regional university in Spokane, WA with comparable size, mission, and academic profile; Carroll has an active 3+3 law-degree partnership with Gonzaga's School of Law, making it both a competitor for Catholic students and a strategic partner.
• Regis University: Jesuit Catholic university in Denver, CO with comparable mission and an established, larger online graduate program — both a peer in the Catholic liberal arts space and a relevant comparator for Carroll's online expansion strategy.
• University of Portland: Holy Cross Catholic university in Portland, OR with similar enrollment scale, undergraduate teaching focus, and Pacific Northwest/Catholic student market overlap with Carroll.
• Whitworth University: Private Christian (Presbyterian) liberal arts university in Spokane, WA competing for the same Pacific Northwest regional undergraduate pool as Carroll, with comparable tuition profile and faith-based mission.
• Rockhurst University: Jesuit Catholic liberal arts university in Kansas City, MO with similar size, Jesuit mission, and pre-health/pre-law emphasis; competes for the same type of mission-driven undergraduate student Carroll serves.
• Saint Martin's University: Benedictine Catholic university in Lacey, WA with similar enrollment size, liberal arts mission, and Pacific Northwest Catholic student market overlap.
• University of Providence: Catholic university in Great Falls, MT — the closest in-state geographic peer, competing for the same Montana Catholic student population with overlapping healthcare and education programs.

Regional players

• Pacific Lutheran University: Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts university in Tacoma, WA with comparable size and Pacific Northwest regional positioning; competes for similar non-Catholic faith-oriented undergraduate students.

Broad incumbents

• Marquette University: Larger Jesuit Catholic research university in Milwaukee with overlapping pre-med and pre-law strengths; serves as a downstream graduate destination for Carroll alumni and a broader incumbent in the Catholic higher education landscape.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carrollcollege
• YouTubeyoutube.com/carrollcollegemt
• Facebookfacebook.com/136391504465
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carroll-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/carrollcollegemt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Carroll College