Walla Walla University
Walla Walla University is a private, nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist university in College Place, Washington, enrolling 1,800+ students from 46 states in 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with tuition 21% below the private college average and 95%+ of students receiving financial aid.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersCollege Place, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Walla Walla University does
Walla Walla University is a private, nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher education founded in 1892 (as Walla Walla College, renamed WWU in 2007/2009) and headquartered on an 83-acre main campus in College Place, Washington. It enrolls more than 1,800 students drawn from 46 states and 43 countries, offering over 100 degree programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels through more than 20 academic departments. Academic delivery spans the main College Place campus plus satellite locations in Portland (nursing), Billings and Missoula (graduate social work), and Anacortes (marine biology field lab), with selected graduate programs also offered online.
The university's core product is residential and online undergraduate and graduate education supplemented by a bundled set of student services: the Student Development Center (Career Services, Peer Tutoring, Disability Support), Health & Wellness, IT Services, and Student Financial Services. Its underlying technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary: Handshake for career networking, Accommodate by Symplicity for disability services, Focus2 for career assessment, Microsoft Teams for virtual counseling, and an Atlassian Jira-based internal help desk. In May 2026, WWU announced an expansion of AI training and degree offerings, signaling a pivot toward AI-relevant curriculum.
WWU's revenue model is diversified across four streams: tuition and fees (with sticker pricing 21% below the national private college average and a typical out-of-pocket cost of $7,346/year after aid), room and board from on-campus housing and dining, donations and fundraising managed through the Advancement Office, and career/student services. Over 95% of students qualify for financial aid, with $40.8M disbursed in 2022-2023 and an average aid package of approximately $25,690/year. GTM is a sales-led enrollment model using campus visits, virtual tours, regional recruiters, and an online application portal. Alex Bryan has served as president since 2024, and the institution is governed by a Board of Trustees under the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Walla Walla University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Walla Walla University
- Legal name
- Walla Walla University
- Website
- https://wallawalla.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Walla Walla University is a private, nonprofit Seventh-day Adventist university in College Place, Washington, enrolling 1,800+ students from 46 states in 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with tuition 21% below the private college average and 95%+ of students receiving financial aid.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Walla Walla University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)
Keywords
Where Walla Walla University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- College Place
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Walla Walla 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: Core revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with rates 21% below national private college average. Application fees ($20-$75) also contribute.
- Room and Board: On-campus housing (residence halls and village apartments/houses) and dining services generate housing revenue.
- Donations and Fundraising: Advancement office manages donations, scholarships, Walla Walla University Fund, gift planning, and donor services. SLMC renovation fundraising campaign active.
- Career and Student Services: Handshake platform for job/internship connections, employer relations, and student employment positions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate tuition (typical out-of-pocket after aid) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Total annual financial aid |
| Subscription | Annual | Loan default rate advantage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Walla Walla University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Walla Walla University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution offering over 100 degree programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in fields spanning biological sciences, business, engineering, nursing, social work, and theology. The university delivers academic instruction alongside student support services including career services, peer tutoring, disability accommodations, financial aid, and health and wellness counseling at its main 83-acre College Place campus and satellite locations.
Product overview
Walla Walla University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution offering a comprehensive suite of educational and student support services. The university operates a multi-tiered service structure consisting of academic degree programs (undergraduate and graduate), the Student Development Center (which bundles Career Services, Peer Tutoring, and Disability Support), Health & Wellness services, Information Technology support, and Student Financial Services. These services work together to support student success from enrollment through career placement. The university's technology infrastructure includes six computer labs, Help Desk services, enterprise software, and student-facing portals for disability accommodations, career networking, and career assessment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Academic Degree Programs Over 100 degree programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels spanning biological sciences, business, engineering, nursing, social work, theology, and pre-professional tracks. Targeted at prospective undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional students.
- School of Nursing (Portland Campus) Nursing degree program delivered at the Portland, Oregon satellite campus for prospective nursing students.
- Graduate Social Work Program (Billings & Missoula, Montana) Graduate-level social work program (MSW/DSW) at Montana satellite campuses serving regional working professionals.
- Online MSW and M.Ed. Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Loan default rate of 0.4% compared to 11.3% national average
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Walla Walla University
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Walla Walla University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability1 record
Walla Walla University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Adventist Colleges AbroadminorInternational exchange program allowing students to study languages (French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish) at Adventist institutions abroad. Extends academic offerings beyond campus-based language programs.
- Columbia County Health SystemcoreProvides the College Place Health Clinic offering primary care, family medicine, preventative medicine, women's health, behavioral health collaboration, medication management, sports physicals, acute illness/injury care, chronic disease management, and limited lab testing for WWU students.
- Washington State Small Business Development CenterminorProvides certified business advisors for U-Pitch entrepreneurship competition. Paul Bowen served as panelist for student entrepreneurship event.
- Blue Mountain CommunityminorKol Medina, President and CEO of Blue Mountain Community, served as panelist for U-Pitch entrepreneurship competition finals.
- City of College PlacecoreAnnual collaboration with city for Spring Block Party event. Nearly 80 booths and 2,500+ attendees. Partnership strengthens connections between city and university and bridges gap between students and broader community.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Walla Walla University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Andrews University: Andrews University is the flagship Seventh-day Adventist institution in Berrien Springs, Michigan, offering broader graduate programs and seminary education. It is a direct peer within the Adventist higher education system and shares governance and accreditation pathways with WWU.
- Loma Linda University: Loma Linda University is a private Seventh-day Adventist health sciences university in Loma Linda, California. It is a direct Adventist peer with much stronger healthcare and graduate program emphasis, anchoring the West Coast Adventist academic system.
- Whitworth University: Whitworth University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Spokane, Washington, with a similar-sized student body, similar tuition profile, and US News Regional Universities-West recognition. It competes directly with WWU for Pacific Northwest Christian higher education students.
- George Fox University: George Fox University is a private Christian university in Newberg, Oregon, offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs including the D.Min. completed by WWU's current president. It is a direct peer in Pacific Northwest faith-based higher education.
- Seattle Pacific University: Seattle Pacific University is a private Christian university in Seattle, Washington, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in a similar tuition tier. It competes with WWU for Pacific Northwest Christian students seeking faith-based education.
- Corban University: Corban University is a private Christian university in Salem, Oregon, with a similar-sized student body and undergraduate liberal arts focus. It is a regional competitor in Pacific Northwest faith-based higher education.
- Southern Adventist University: Southern Adventist University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution in Collegedale, Tennessee, offering a comparable mix of undergraduate and graduate programs with similar faith-based mission and small-campus culture. It is the most direct peer in Adventist higher education.
- Pacific Union College: Pacific Union College is a private Seventh-day Adventist liberal arts college in Angwin, California, with a similar-sized student body and undergraduate focus. It is a direct peer in Adventist higher education on the West Coast.
Regional players
- Walla Walla Community College: Walla Walla Community College is a public two-year institution in Walla Walla, Washington, geographically adjacent to WWU and competing for the same regional student pool. While it does not match WWU's faith-based identity, it competes on affordability and serves as a primary transfer pipeline.
- Northwest Christian University: Northwest Christian University (now part of Bushnell University) is a private Christian university in Eugene, Oregon, with similar faith-based identity and small-campus character. It is a regional peer in Pacific Northwest faith-based higher education with some programmatic overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Walla Walla University social profiles
Digital presenceWalla Walla University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Walla Walla University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Walla Walla University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Walla Walla University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Walla Walla University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla University
What does Walla Walla University do?
Walla Walla University is a private Seventh-day Adventist institution offering over 100 degree programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels in fields spanning biological sciences, business, engineering, nursing, social work, and theology. The university delivers academic instruction alongside student support services including career services, peer tutoring, disability accommodations, financial aid, and health and wellness counseling at its main 83-acre College Place campus and satellite locations.
Is Walla Walla University a public or private company?
Walla Walla University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Walla Walla University founded?
Walla Walla University was founded in 2009. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Walla Walla University based?
Walla Walla University is headquartered in College Place, United States, in the North America region.
How does Walla Walla University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are room and Board, donations and Fundraising and career and Student Services.
Who are Walla Walla University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Andrews University, Loma Linda University, Whitworth University, George Fox University, Seattle Pacific University, Corban University, Southern Adventist University and Pacific Union College. Regional players are Walla Walla Community College and Northwest Christian University.
Does Walla Walla University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Walla Walla University.
What industry is Walla Walla University in?
Walla Walla University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAJ, Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.