Life University

What Life University does

Life University is a private, purpose-driven higher education institution headquartered on a 110-acre campus in Marietta, Georgia (metro Atlanta), founded in 1975 by Dr. Sid Williams and Dr. Nell Williams as Life Chiropractic College. It operates as the world's largest single-campus chiropractic college and serves approximately 1,635–2,182 Title IV–eligible students across four distinct academic segments: the flagship 14-quarter Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) professional degree, undergraduate programs (biology, psychology, business, nutrition, computer information systems, and others), graduate programs (MBA, M.S. Positive Psychology, M.S. Sport Health Science), and a College of Online Education delivering fully remote degrees globally. The institution's core curriculum is built around vitalistic, evidence-informed chiropractic education with proprietary simulation technology (Palpation Adjustment Trainer), an on-campus clinic network (Life Chiropractic Centers), and the PEAK Clinical Program linking 100+ nationwide affiliate clinics for externship training.

Revenue is generated primarily through quarterly tuition — D.C. students pay an $11,031 block rate per quarter for 14 quarters (total ~$198,558 per cohort), undergraduate tuition is $310 per credit hour at ~15 credits/quarter, and graduate tuition is $345 per credit hour — supplemented by $497/quarter student fees, ~$6,045/year on-campus housing and meal plans, clinic services revenue from public patient care, and corporate sponsorships (NutriDyn, PepsiCo, ChiroSecure, LGE Credit Union). The university is dually accredited by SACSCOC (institutional) and the Council on Chiropractic Education (D.C. program), with ACEND accreditation for nutrition programs, and operates wholly-owned subsidiaries including the NeuroLIFE Institute and the Life Center for Seniors (established 1995, serving adults 55+).

Recent strategic activity centers on clinical and curricular expansion: the February 2026 opening of the DISC Centers of America Clinic featuring FDA-cleared Class II decompression devices via exclusive partnerships with North American Medical Corporation and Medray Laser & Technology; the April 2026 launch of a D.C. Sports Chiropractic Track; and a February 2025 leadership transition installing Brian McAulay, D.C., Ph.D., as the sixth president. Life U also fields the most student-athletes in Metro Atlanta, with 37+ national championships and 648–650 All-Americans bolstering brand-driven recruitment.

Name

Life University

Legal name

Life University

Website

https://life.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Life University is a private, Marietta, Georgia-based higher education institution operating the world's largest single-campus chiropractic college, offering a 14-quarter D.C. degree, undergraduate and graduate programs, and online degrees to professional and pre-professional students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Chiropractic Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Holistic & Integrative Wellness Education (Ayurveda, Traditional Practices) (EDAAAHAH), Health Coaching & Lifestyle Coaching Education (EDAAAHAG)

Keywords

• Chiropractic education
• Doctor of chiropractic
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online higher education

Headquarters

HQ city

Marietta

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. Undergraduate Tuition: Undergraduate programs charge $310 per credit hour with an average of 15 credit hours per quarter. Annual tuition averages $13,950 for a three-quarter academic year. Bachelor programs typically span 4 years with total tuition of approximately $55,800.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs charge $345 per credit hour with an average of 9 credit hours per quarter. Annual tuition averages $9,315. Graduate degree programs typically span 2 years with total tuition of approximately $18,630.
3. Doctor of Chiropractic Tuition: D.C. programs charge an 18-25 credit hour block rate of $11,031 per quarter. Annual tuition is $33,093 for the three-quarter academic year. The D.C. program spans 4.5 years (14 quarters) with total tuition of approximately $198,558.
4. Student Fees: Quarterly student fees of $497 cover access to information technology, printing, parking, campus shuttles, laboratory facilities, fitness center operations, and student engagement activities including intramural and club programs.
5. Housing and Meal Plans: On-campus housing costs approximately $6,045 per year. Meal plans are available including the Eagle Unlimited Meal Plan. Additional indirect costs include books ($750), transportation ($1,800), and personal expenses ($1,500).
6. Clinic Services Revenue: Life University operates on-campus chiropractic clinics including Life Chiropractic Centers providing patient care services, generating revenue through clinical services while providing educational training for students.
7. Corporate Sponsorships: Annual corporate sponsors including NutriDyn, PepsiCo, ChiroSecure, and LGE Credit Union provide sponsorship revenue and support university programs and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Life University is a private university delivering degree-based education, anchored by its 14-quarter Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program and complemented by undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology, psychology, business, exercise science, nutrition, computer information systems, positive psychology, and sport health science. Students may attend on the 110-acre Marietta campus or remotely through the College of Online Education, with clinical training delivered via on-campus Life Chiropractic Centers and the PEAK Clinical Program's nationwide network of 100+ affiliate externship clinics.

Product overview

Life University is a purpose-driven higher education institution offering a portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs centered on its flagship Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program - the world's largest single-campus chiropractic college. The university's product portfolio includes: (1) the core D.C. program with specialized tracks like Sports Chiropractic and tools like the Palpation Adjustment Trainer (PAT); (2) undergraduate programs in health, science, business, and technology fields; (3) graduate programs including MBA, Positive Psychology, and Sport Health Science; (4) online education delivery through the College of Online Education; (5) clinical training via Life U Clinics and the PEAK Clinical Program with 100+ affiliate sites; (6) DISC Centers of America featuring Accu-SPINA and Accu-KNEE medical devices; and (7) recruitment and engagement programs including Experience Life, Eagle Madness, and Life Vision Extravaganza. The institution combines academic instruction with real-world clinical experience and athletic programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Program Life University's flagship 14-quarter (4.5-year) full-time Doctor of Chiropractic professional degree blending foundational sciences, early hands-on technique training across multiple techniques (Full Spine, Gonstead, Thompson, CBP, Extremity Adjusting, Cox Flexion-Distraction, Instrument Adjusting), and clinical practice to prepare graduates for NBCE licensure and practice ownership.
• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's and associate degrees in Biology, Psychology, Business Administration, Exercise Science, Nutrition, Computer Information Systems, Biopsychology, Environment and Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Health Coaching, available on-campus and online for career readiness and graduate school preparation.
• Graduate Degree Programs Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Positive Psychology, and Master of Science in Sport Health Science, with online options designed for working professionals.
• College of Online Education Online delivery channel offering undergraduate and graduate degrees including Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Biopsychology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Health & Wellness, Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology, Positive Psychology, and MBA programs delivered remotely.
• Pre-DC (Pre-Doctor of Chiropractic) Program Online pre-professional program providing prerequisite coursework needed for admission into Life University's Doctor of Chiropractic program.
• D.C. Sports Chiropractic Track Specialized educational pathway within the D.C. program for students pursuing work with athletes and active populations, combining chiropractic philosophy, movement science, hands-on care, and real-world sports experience in high-performance environments.
• Life U Chiropractic Clinics (Life Chiropractic Centers and Center for Health and Optimum Performance) On-campus chiropractic clinics (including Life Chiropractic Centers and the Center for Health and Optimum Performance) that provide patient care services to the public while training D.C. students in clinical practice under faculty supervision.
• Life Vision Extravaganza (LVE) Continuing Education Annual weekend continuing education conference held each September bringing together alumni, chiropractors, students, and industry leaders for professional development, CE credits, and alumni engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% NBCE pass rate in Spring 2026 for D.C. students
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Medray Laser & TechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 8 April 2026Medray has been selected as the official Class IV laser and shockwave technology provider for the newly launched Life University - DISC Centers of America Clinic in Marietta, Georgia. The clinic serves as both patient care facility and educational center for chiropractic students and doctors. Medray supplies Class IV hands-free laser therapy systems and Softshock radial pressure shockwave technology for non-invasive musculoskeletal treatment protocols.
• North American Medical CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Exclusive partnership established for Life University's new Outpatient Clinic and Educational Disc Center at its Marietta campus. North American Medical Corporation, the manufacturer and patent holder of Accu-SPINA with IDD Therapy and Accu-KNEE systems, provides FDA-cleared Class II decompression technologies that are integrated into the chiropractic curriculum for clinical training of students and graduates.
• NutriDynminorOthersAnnual corporate sponsor of Life University supporting university programs and events.
• PepsiCominorOthersAnnual corporate sponsor of Life University supporting university programs and events.
• ChiroSecureminorOthersAnnual corporate sponsor of Life University supporting university programs and events in the chiropractic profession.
• LGE Credit UnionminorOthersAnnual corporate sponsor of Life University supporting university programs and events.
• PEAK Program Affiliate ClinicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 100 affiliate clinics nationwide partner with Life University for the PEAK Clinical Program, allowing upper-quarter D.C. students to complete clinical externships in private practices across various special interests including pediatrics, sports chiropractic, and prenatal care.
• Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)coreOthersProgrammatic accreditation body for the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Life University. Located at 9393 N 90th St., Suite 102-660, Scottsdale, AZ 85258-5073. Ensures education meets highest standards in chiropractic training, clinical competency, and professional ethics.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)coreOthersInstitutional accreditation body for Life University to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees.
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)coreOthersAccredits Life University's Nutrition and Dietetics Education Program through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Palmer College of Chiropractic: The largest and oldest chiropractic college system in the U.S., operating three campuses (Davenport, San Jose, Port Orange); it competes directly with Life University for D.C. enrollment, faculty, and clinical training reputation.
• Logan University: A private, multi-program health sciences university offering the Doctor of Chiropractic alongside masters and undergraduate degrees; competes directly with Life U's chiropractic and online health programs and is a comparable size and accreditation profile.
• National University of Health Sciences: Private health sciences university in Lombard, IL, offering the D.C. plus naturopathic, acupuncture, and biomedical programs; directly comparable in mission and allied-health scope to Life University.
• Parker University: Private university in Dallas offering Doctor of Chiropractic, massage therapy, and business/undergraduate degrees; directly competes with Life U for D.C. students and operates a comparable private, multi-program model.
• University of Western States: Private health sciences university in Portland, OR, offering D.C., M.S. and Ed.D. programs; directly comparable to Life U in private, single-campus chiropractic college positioning.
• Southern California University of Health Sciences: Private health sciences university in Whittier, CA, offering D.C., acupuncture, physician assistant, and other programs; competes with Life U for chiropractic enrollment on the West Coast.
• Cleveland University Kansas City: Private university offering the D.C. plus accelerated exercise science and undergrad pathways; directly competes with Life University in chiropractic professional education and structure.
• Sherman College of Chiropractic: Single-purpose chiropractic college in Spartanburg, SC, focused exclusively on the D.C.; comparable in vitalistic, single-campus mission to Life U's Chiropractic program though narrower in program breadth.
• Northwestern Health Sciences University: Private university in Bloomington, MN, offering D.C., acupuncture, massage therapy, and undergraduate programs; comparable private health-sciences model competing in the same upper-Midwest enrollment market.
• Northeast College of Health Sciences: Private health sciences college (formerly New York Chiropractic College) offering D.C., M.S. in Acupuncture, and other health programs; directly competes with Life U for chiropractic students on the East Coast.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/lifeuniversityga
• Facebookfacebook.com/61407112242
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeuniversityga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/life-university_2
• Xx.com/LifeUniversity

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Life University