Emporia State University

What Emporia State University does

Emporia State University is a public state university founded in 1863 in Emporia, Kansas, operating under the governance of the Kansas Board of Regents as the first public institution of higher learning in Kansas. It serves approximately 4,824 enrolled students across nine academic units: The Teachers College (the founding college, est. 1863), the School of Business + Technology (AACSB accredited), the School of Library + Information Management (ALA accredited, the first institution of its kind west of the Mississippi), the School of Humanities + Social Sciences, the School of Science + Mathematics, the School of Visual + Performing Arts, the School of Applied Health Sciences, the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Graduate School (30+ programs), and the Honors College.

The university's core technology stack centers on the Canvas learning management system and the online.emporia.edu distance education platform, supporting both on-campus instruction and fully online programs including RN to BSN, MBA, MSIT, and various graduate degrees. ESU also operates the Hornet 365 student portal, a Research and Grants Center, NCAA Division II athletics (15 teams), and administers the William Allen White Children's Book Award — the oldest statewide children's book award in the United States, established 1952. The institution holds 16+ programmatic and institutional accreditations, including the Higher Learning Commission, AACSB International, the American Library Association, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

ESU's business model combines three primary revenue streams: tuition and fees (flat-rate $3,640/semester for Kansas residents and all 48 continental US states since Fall 2023, with Alaska/Hawaii at $7,797/semester), housing and dining services (residence halls and meal plans, e.g., Schallenkamp doubles at $3,150/semester), and state appropriations through the Kansas Board of Regents. Go-to-market is sales-led via admissions counselors, campus visit programs, community college articulation agreements (Butler, Johnson County, Kansas City Kansas), and online recruitment. Dr. Matt Baker was appointed as the 19th president by the Kansas Board of Regents in December 2025, assuming office March 2, 2026.

Name

Emporia State University

Legal name

Emporia State University

Website

https://emporia.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1863

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Emporia State University is a public state university founded in 1863 in Emporia, Kansas, serving approximately 4,824 undergraduate and graduate students through nine academic colleges and schools. It delivers on-campus, online, and community-college-partnered programs funded by tuition, housing, and Kansas state appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Teacher Education Colleges (EDAHAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Colleges (Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre) (EDAHAJAD), Honors & Advanced Coursework Tutoring (non-AP/IB) (EDANAKAD), University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas) (MPAGALAI)

Keywords

• Public higher education
• Undergraduate degrees
• Graduate programs
• Teacher education
• Distance learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Emporia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 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: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including flat-rate tuition for full-time on-campus students. International student fees and program-specific fees contribute to revenue.
2. Housing and Dining Services: Revenue from on-campus housing (residence halls including North/South Towers, Schallenkamp, Abigail Morse) and meal plans.
3. State Funding: Public university funded through Kansas state appropriations as a state university presenting budget requests to Kansas House higher education budget committee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Emporia State University is a public state university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through nine academic colleges, schools, and institutes, plus continuing education, NCAA Division II athletics, on-campus housing, dining services, and online/distance education. Programs span education, business (AACSB-accredited), library and information management (ALA-accredited), humanities, sciences, visual and performing arts, applied health sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. The university serves approximately 4,824 students from a main campus in Emporia, Kansas.

Product overview

Emporia State University is a public higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs through nine distinct colleges, schools, and institutes. The university's academic structure includes The Teachers College (founded 1863), School of Business + Technology (AACSB accredited), School of Library + Information Management (ALA-accredited), School of Humanities + Social Sciences, School of Science + Mathematics, School of Visual + Performing Arts, School of Applied Health Sciences, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, plus the Graduate School (30+ programs) and Honors College. Beyond academics, ESU provides student services including the Hornet 365 portal, research and grants support, study abroad programs, and the notable William Allen White Children's Book Award program. The institution operates NCAA Division II athletics (Hornets) and serves approximately 4,824 enrolled students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Teachers College The original college of Emporia State University, founded in 1863, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in elementary/early childhood education, special education, school leadership, and secondary education. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Kansas State Department of Education.
• School of Business + Technology AACSB International-accredited business school offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, information systems, economics, and related business disciplines.
• School of Library + Information Management School offering ALA-accredited Master of Library Science and Ph.D. in Library and Information Management degrees, plus certificate programs. The first institution of its kind west of the Mississippi, with hybrid coursework at locations across the U.S.
• School of Humanities + Social Sciences School offering programs in communication, languages, social sciences, sociology, criminology, and intensive English, focused on developing communication, problem-solving, and research skills.
• School of Science + Mathematics School offering programs in biological sciences, mathematics, chemistry (ACS-certified), earth science, physical science, and physics for students pursuing careers as chemists, mathematicians, analysts, and health professionals.
• School of Visual + Performing Arts School offering programs in art (NASAD-accredited), music (NASM-accredited), and theatre, providing conservatory-quality training for students pursuing careers as actors, artists, performers, craftspeople, and creators.
• School of Applied Health Sciences School offering programs in counselor education (CACREP-accredited), health, physical education, recreation, nursing (ACEN-accredited and Kansas State Board of Nursing-approved), psychology, art therapy (CAAHEP and AATA-accredited), athletic training (CAATE-accredited), and coaching. Includes hands-on learning in labs, clinicals, and community settings.
• Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies Flexible degree program allowing students to create unique interdisciplinary programs by taking courses from multiple departments across the university.
• Graduate School Graduate school offering 30+ accredited graduate programs in business, education, library science, nursing, psychology, and other disciplines, with both on-campus and online options.
• Honors College Undergraduate honors program rooted in leadership and civic engagement, offering leadership training, enhanced curriculum, and faculty mentoring.
• Study Abroad Programs International education programs including faculty-led short-term programs, semester programs, year-long programs, and summer programs delivered through partner schools and third-party providers like ISEP.
• On-Campus Housing and Meal Plans Residential services across residence halls (North/South Towers, Schallenkamp, Abigail Morse) with double rooms from $2,830/semester and single rooms at $3,605/semester, plus tiered meal plans (All Access $2,325/semester, 150 block $2,325/semester, 65 block $1,377/semester).
• Research and Grants Center Office helping students, faculty, and staff find project funding, providing fiscal administration for grants and contracts, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and university policies.
• NCAA Division II Athletics (Hornets) 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic teams representing Emporia State University (Hornets), competing in conference championships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97-98% career outcomes rate (4-year average)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kansas Board of RegentscoreOthers · 11 December 2025State governing board that appointed Dr. Matt Baker as the 19th president of Emporia State University. Oversees state universities' budgets and academic calendar approvals.
• Butler Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership program allowing students to complete the Elementary Education program without relocating. Part of The Teachers College Distance Partnerships initiative.
• Johnson County Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership program allowing students to complete the Elementary Education program without relocating. Part of The Teachers College Distance Partnerships initiative.
• Kansas City Kansas Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership program allowing students to complete the Elementary Education program without relocating. Part of The Teachers College Distance Partnerships initiative.
• ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party provider for semester and year-long study abroad programs, allowing students to study at partner institutions worldwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fort Hays State University: Kansas regional public university (Kansas Board of Regents) with a comparable enrollment base (~15,000 including online) and a strong online/distance education focus; competes head-to-head with ESU for Kansas undergraduates, transfer students, and graduate online enrollment in education and business.
• Pittsburg State University: Kansas regional public university under the Kansas Board of Regents with similar enrollment scale, a teacher education focus, and an NCAA Division II athletic program; directly competes with ESU for in-state undergraduates, education majors, and online graduate students.
• Washburn University: Mid-size public university in Topeka, Kansas with comparable undergraduate and graduate program breadth including AACSB-accredited business, education, and nursing; competes with ESU in the Kansas regional market for traditional and transfer students.
• Northwest Missouri State University: Mid-size regional public university in Maryville, Missouri with similar NCAA Division II athletics and a comparable mix of education, business, and graduate programs; a logical peer because ESU's incoming president Dr. Matt Baker previously served in its leadership.
• Missouri Western State University: Small regional public university in St. Joseph, Missouri with comparable enrollment scale, NCAA Division II athletics, and a teacher education emphasis; comparable peer for benchmarking tuition, online strategy, and enrollment dynamics in the Midwest regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Wichita State University: Larger Kansas Board of Regents university with broad undergraduate, graduate, and applied-learning programs plus AACSB business and engineering; competes with ESU in Kansas but operates at significantly larger scale and serves a different metropolitan market.
• Kansas State University: Land-grant research university in the Kansas Board of Regents system with extensive graduate programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and statewide brand recognition; competes with ESU for top in-state students, graduate enrollment, and state funding share.
• University of Kansas: Flagship Kansas Board of Regents research university offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs and the state's strongest brand; competes with ESU for high-achieving in-state students, graduate programs, and legislative appropriations.

Emerging players

• Western Governors University: National nonprofit online university with competency-based programs in education, business, IT, and nursing; competes directly with ESU's online MBA, MSIT, RN-to-BSN, and education programs at scale and lower tuition, particularly targeting adult and out-of-state learners.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large online-first nonprofit university with broad undergraduate and graduate online offerings in business, education, IT, and liberal arts; competes with ESU online programs on price, scale, and adult-learner targeting nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/emporiastate
• Facebookfacebook.com/35407181560
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emporia-state-university

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Emporia State University