LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a private, nondenominational Christian polytechnic university in Longview, Texas, founded in 1946, delivering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs across eight schools with an engineering and applied-learning focus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersLongview, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What LeTourneau University does
LeTourneau University is a private, nondenominational Christian polytechnic university founded in 1946 by earthmoving-equipment inventor R.G. LeTourneau and his wife Evelyn on the site of a former Army hospital in Longview, Texas. The institution operates eight schools—Aviation & Aeronautical Science, Business, Education, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Nursing, Psychology & Counseling, Theology & Vocation, and Arts & Sciences—and serves traditional undergraduates, online/graduate students, and dual-credit high schoolers. Its core technology edge is concentrated in hands-on engineering labs: an 8,600-square-foot Kielhorn Materials Joining Lab (the largest stand-alone in the U.S.), wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) 3D metal printing, robotics and wind-tunnel equipment capable of Class 3 hurricane speeds, a six-degree-of-freedom force plate system, and a $200,000+ biomedical motion-capture system, all of which support one of the few undergraduate biomedical engineering concentrations of this depth nationally.
The business model rests on tuition and fees (undergraduate, graduate, and online) supplemented by donations and a Build with Purpose fundraising campaign, with more than 90% of students receiving institutional financial assistance. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; primary revenue mechanics are typical of private nonprofit higher education, with quasi-recurring tuition as the dominant stream and donations filling institutional gap. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through campus visits, online applications, multi-channel digital marketing, college fairs, a featured appearance on Amazon Prime's The College Tour, and study-abroad partnerships in 13+ countries. Customers are individual students and their families; ancillary B2B engagements exist through senior design projects with entities such as East Texas Regional Airport and Aqueous Engineering, but these are applied-learning engagements rather than revenue anchors.
Recent strategic posture reflects expansion rather than retrenchment: acquisition of the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity to anchor a faith-science-technology positioning, CPU Center groundbreaking, CACREP accreditation of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, consecutive U.S. News Regional Universities West recognition (2025, 2026), and a new athletic Air Dome. The university has produced 25,000+ alumni serving in all 50 U.S. states and 57 countries, with graduate placement rates reported at 92-100% across programs.
LeTourneau University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LeTourneau University
- Legal name
- LeTourneau University
- Website
- https://letu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- LeTourneau University is a private, nondenominational Christian polytechnic university in Longview, Texas, founded in 1946, delivering undergraduate, graduate, and online programs across eight schools with an engineering and applied-learning focus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LeTourneau University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
Keywords
Where LeTourneau University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Longview
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
LeTourneau University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, as well as various university fees for educational services.
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from alumni, parents, and supporters through annual giving, endowments, and the Build with Purpose Campaign.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
LeTourneau University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LeTourneau University is a private, nondenominational Christian polytechnic university delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight schools (Aviation & Aeronautical Science, Business, Education, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Nursing, Psychology & Counseling, Theology & Vocation, and Arts & Sciences). It offers traditional on-campus programs, online/graduate programs for working adults through the LEAP cohort format, and dual credit for high school students, integrating hands-on applied learning with faith-based instruction.
Product overview
LeTourneau University is The Christian Polytechnic University offering a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and graduate academic programs across eight schools: Aviation & Aeronautical Science, Business, Education, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Nursing, Psychology & Counseling, Theology & Vocation, and Arts & Sciences. The university provides traditional on-campus programs, online and graduate education through LEAP cohort format, and dual credit programs for high school students. Notable specialized offerings include the Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology (distinguished alumni program), the WHEELS research project for wheelchair design in developing nations, and extensive senior design capstone projects. The institution operates extensive engineering laboratories including the Glaske Center, Kielhorn Welding Lab, and MakerLab, providing hands-on practical training alongside classroom instruction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology: An elite group of engineering and engineering technology alumni established to recognize outstanding graduates, advance the university's reputation, and provide networking opportunities.
- WHEELS Project
Products and services
- Aviation & Aeronautical Science Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 92-100% graduate placement rates across programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use LeTourneau University
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LeTourneau University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
LeTourneau University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bethany Kids Relief and Rehabilitation InternationalcorePartnership with Bethany Kids in Kenya which provides rehabilitation to children at Joy Town Special Primary School for the Disabled in Thika. LETU Wheels team conducts field studies and provides feedback to wheelchair manufacturers.
- MotivationcoreWheelchair provider partner for the Wheels project. The team provides feedback on wheelchair function for low-resource settings.
- WhirlwindcoreWheelchair provider partner for the Wheels project, specializing in rough terrain wheelchairs for developing countries.
- Hope Haven InternationalcoreWheelchair provider partner for the Wheels project serving people with disabilities globally.
- Free Wheelchair MissioncoreWheelchair provider partner for the Wheels project providing wheelchairs through field studies in Kenya.
- ROC wheelchairscoreWheelchair provider partner for the Wheels project.
- Joni and FriendscorePartner organization for mission trips and wheelchair project collaboration serving people with disabilities internationally.
- Handong Global UniversityminorExchange partner university in Pohang, South Korea for semester study abroad programs.
- Hannam UniversityminorExchange partner university in Daejeon, South Korea for semester study abroad programs.
- Leibniz University HannoverminorExchange partner university in Hannover, Germany for semester study abroad programs.
- University of Highlands & IslandsminorStudy abroad partner university in Scotland.
- University of Southern QueenslandminorStudy abroad partner university in Australia.
- Ider UniversityminorStudy abroad partner university in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
- University of CanterburyminorStudy abroad partner university in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- The Spanish Language InstituteminorStudy abroad partner in Costa Rica for Spanish language immersion programs.
- Liverpool Hope UniversityminorStudy abroad partner in England offering programs for most majors except Aviation and Engineering.
- CCCU GlobalEdminorBestSemester program partner through Council of Christian Colleges and Universities for study abroad in England.
- Women's Christian CollegeminorStudy abroad partner in India for semester programs.
- Madras Christian CollegeminorStudy abroad partner in India for semester programs.
- American University of MongoliaminorStudy abroad partner in Mongolia, particularly suitable for Business majors.
- Hanyang UniversityminorExchange partner university in South Korea for semester study abroad programs.
- Sungkonghoe UniversityminorExchange partner university in South Korea for semester study abroad programs.
- CIS AbroadminorThird-party study abroad provider offering programs in various locations worldwide.
- East Texas Regional AirportminorClient for Airport Utilities and Aviation Maintenance Building Design senior design project for airport expansion planning.
- Aqueous EngineeringminorPrimary client for Lazy Rivers hydraulic design research project, developing design tools for the aquatics industry.
- MuZ MotionminorPartner company for Version Motor Project designing and testing ultra-light, high-torque intelligent electric motors.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
LeTourneau University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: A top-ranked undergraduate-only private engineering institution with a hands-on teaching model; the gold-standard comparator for private polytechnic-style engineering education and high graduate outcomes.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute: WPI is the quintessential private polytechnic university in the U.S., defined by a project-based learning (Great Problems Seminars, MQP) model and hands-on STEM culture—the closest analog to LeTourneau's polytechnic identity outside of faith-affiliation.
- Kettering University: A small, private Michigan institution famous for its co-op/internship model and hands-on engineering focus; competes for the same career-oriented STEM applicant pool with similar learning-through-practice philosophy.
- Oral Roberts University: A faith-affiliated (Pentecostal) private university in Tulsa, Oklahoma with engineering and STEM programs; directly comparable on Christian identity, private structure, and similar enrollment scale.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: A private university specializing in aviation and aerospace—directly comparable to LETU's School of Aviation & Aeronautical Science and the only real polytechnic-style aviation competitor at the undergraduate level.
- Calvin University: A Christian (Reformed) private university in Michigan with a strong engineering program and similar emphasis on integrating faith with vocation; structurally comparable in size, faith integration, and STEM orientation.
- Milwaukee School of Engineering: A small Midwestern private polytechnic with applied learning across engineering, nursing, business, and computer science—comparable scale, niche-as-engineering focus, and student outcomes.
- Walla Walla University: A Seventh-day Adventist university in Washington state operating engineering, aviation, and STEM programs at a similar small-private scale; near-perfect mirror of LeTourneau's faith-affiliated polytechnic positioning with comparable size and program mix.
Broad incumbents
- Liberty University: The largest private Christian university in the U.S. with the most extensive online program reach and NCAA Division I athletics; sets the upper bound on faith-affiliated online enrollment against which LETU's 30% online footprint competes.
- Baylor University: A large, established Baptist research university with a strong engineering school and significant scale; an incumbent faith-affiliated competitor for Christian-market STEM applicants in the broader South-Central region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LeTourneau University social profiles
Digital presenceLeTourneau University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
LeTourneau University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LeTourneau University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
LeTourneau University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LeTourneau University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LeTourneau University
What does LeTourneau University do?
LeTourneau University is a private, nondenominational Christian polytechnic university delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across eight schools (Aviation & Aeronautical Science, Business, Education, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Nursing, Psychology & Counseling, Theology & Vocation, and Arts & Sciences). It offers traditional on-campus programs, online/graduate programs for working adults through the LEAP cohort format, and dual credit for high school students, integrating hands-on applied learning with faith-based instruction.
Is LeTourneau University a public or private company?
LeTourneau University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LeTourneau University founded?
LeTourneau University was founded in 1946. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is LeTourneau University based?
LeTourneau University is headquartered in Longview, United States, in the North America region.
How does LeTourneau University make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising.
Who are LeTourneau University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Kettering University, Oral Roberts University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Calvin University, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Walla Walla University. Broad incumbents are Liberty University and Baylor University.
Does LeTourneau University have an API?
No public API is recorded for LeTourneau University.
What industry is LeTourneau University in?
LeTourneau University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAB, Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.