Claremont Lincoln University

What Claremont Lincoln University does

Claremont Lincoln University (CLU) is a private, nonprofit online university founded in 2011 and headquartered in Claremont, California. It operates exclusively as the affiliated university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a global nonprofit focused on land policy solutions, and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) to award master's and bachelor's degrees. The institution enrolls working adults seeking career advancement in public administration, organizational leadership, human resources, and land policy, with monthly start dates and eight-week terms. Reported headcount is 101–250 employees, supporting the all-online delivery model through Canvas LMS and a small administrative footprint.

CLU's catalog comprises eight master's degree programs (Human Resources Management, Organizational Leadership with Healthcare/Management/Professional Studies tracks, Public Administration, Legal Studies in Land Policy, and City and Regional Planning), six bachelor's degree programs (Organizational Leadership with HR/Management/Integrated Policing/Professional Studies tracks, and Land Policy and Real Estate Development), and eight graduate certificates spanning public finance, urban management, urban planning, resource management, land policy, public administration innovations, executive leadership, and the Lincoln Vibrant Communities fellowship. The proprietary Claremont Core® teaching philosophy (registered trademark) is integrated into every master's program, structured around four pillars: Mindfulness, Dialogue, Collaboration, and Change. A distinctive pricing innovation, the Course-Based Cost Model launched in March 2026, charges $270 per undergraduate course, allowing a 60-credit bachelor's degree for approximately $5,400 total.

CLU employs a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model: prospective students apply online, receive admissions and financial aid support (including Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500/year and Lincoln Institute-funded scholarships), and enroll through rolling or monthly admissions. Revenue streams are tuition-driven — recurring per-course or per-term subscription-style — supplemented by channel and ecosystem partnerships, most notably the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy strategic alliance and Employer Partnership Program with named employers such as County of Orange, IEHP, and Teach For America. Channels include website/SEO content, email nurture, monthly virtual info sessions, and partnership referrals. The institution holds WSCUC accreditation, a complaint agreement with the California BPPE, and complies with FERPA; it is a Title IV participant.

Name

Claremont Lincoln University

Legal name

Claremont Lincoln University

Website

https://claremontlincoln.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Claremont Lincoln University is a private, nonprofit online university operating as the affiliated institution of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. It delivers accredited master's, bachelor's, and graduate certificate programs in leadership, public administration, and land policy to working adult learners through Canvas LMS with monthly start dates and eight-week terms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer) (EDAHALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Graduate degree programs
• Organizational leadership
• Public administration
• Land policy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Claremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition - Course-Based Cost Model: Students pay $270 per course under a predictable, all-inclusive cost structure. A 60-credit baccalaureate completion program costs approximately $5,400 total, plus a one-time $125 application fee.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate programs charge tuition per term/semester with courses typically being 3 semester-based credits. Students may receive Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 annually.
3. Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Scholarships: The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy provides scholarship support enabling CLU to offer full-tuition scholarships for new programs (up to 25 per master's program) and 50 full scholarships for the Bachelor in Land Policy program.
4. Federal Financial Aid: CLU participates in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program. Students complete FAFSA and receive loans based on cost of attendance, with annual maximum of $20,500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Claremont Lincoln University delivers 100% online master's and bachelor's degree programs along with graduate certificates, focused on organizational leadership, public administration, land policy, urban planning, and human resources management. Programs are structured around monthly start dates and 8-week terms, serving working adults seeking career advancement in public sector, nonprofit, and governance roles. The curriculum is anchored by the proprietary Claremont Core® teaching methodology built on Mindfulness, Dialogue, Collaboration, and Change.

Product overview

Claremont Lincoln University offers a portfolio of online graduate and undergraduate degree programs, graduate certificates, and professional development offerings focused on leadership, public administration, land policy, and organizational management. The university provides eight master's degree programs (including specializations in Human Resources Management, Organizational Leadership with Healthcare/Management/Professional Studies tracks, Public Administration, Land Policy, and City & Regional Planning) and six bachelor's degree programs (including Land Policy and Real Estate Development and Organizational Leadership with Human Resources/Management/Integrated Policing/Professional Studies tracks). Additionally, the university offers eight graduate certificates covering public finance, executive leadership (The Claremont Core), public administration innovations, land policy, resource management, urban management, urban planning, and the Lincoln Vibrant Communities leadership fellowship. The institution's distinctive pedagogical framework is The Claremont Core, integrated into all master's programs, based on Mindfulness, Dialogue, Collaboration, and Change. A notable innovation is the Course-Based Cost Model for undergraduate programs, offering $270 per course with a 60-credit degree completable for $5,400 total. Programs are delivered 100% online with flexible scheduling and emphasize practical application through capstone experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Arts in Human Resources Management

Quantifiable outcome

• 60-credit baccalaureate completion program available for approximately $5,400 total tuition.
• +3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lincoln Institute of Land PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026CLU is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a nonprofit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together they mobilize leaders worldwide to tackle climate, land, water, finance, housing, and infrastructure issues. The Lincoln Institute provides financial support including scholarships, helps develop curriculum, and delivers educational programs through Lincoln Vibrant Communities. George 'Mac' McCarthy serves as President and CEO of Lincoln Institute and teaches at CLU.
• Lincoln Vibrant CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA one-of-a-kind program investing in leadership, policy, and advanced practical skills to build communities defined by trust and civic engagement. Brings together Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and CLU in a powerful initiative for leaders and teams addressing public sector challenges. Includes an Online Leadership Fellowship and Graduate Certificate.
• CLU-Lincoln Institute AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance between CLU and Lincoln Institute of Land Policy providing educational programs, scholarships, and collaborative initiatives for community leaders focused on land policy and sustainable development.
• Annual Summit for Community LeadersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual summit bringing together community leaders for education and networking on public sector challenges. Joint marketing and event partnership between CLU and Lincoln Institute.
• Employer Partnership ProgramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership program allowing employers to offer CLU educational benefits to their employees. Companies like Pomona, County of Orange, Ohio Health, IEHP, and TFA (Teach For America) appear as partner organizations based on sitemap references.
• Para Los NiñosminorOthersLos Angeles-based nonprofit serving children and families where CLU graduate Christina Cantero works as Learning & Development Coordinator, representing CLU alumni integration into partner organizations.
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)coreOthersRegional accrediting agency that has accredited Claremont Lincoln University to award degrees. One of seven institutional accrediting agencies approved by the US Department of Education and member of Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National University: Nonprofit university with a large online division serving adult learners and military-affiliated students through monthly start dates and flexible scheduling — comparable operating model and learner profile to CLU.
• Purdue Global: Online university affiliated with Purdue targeting working adults with career-focused bachelor's and master's degrees, including public administration and leadership tracks — overlapping CLU's positioning.
• Western Governors University: Large, nonprofit online competency-based university serving working adults with bachelor's and master's degrees. Highly comparable on online delivery, adult-learner focus, and tuition transparency — though at substantially greater scale.
• Capella University: Online university offering graduate and undergraduate programs with specializations in public administration, leadership, and HR — directly comparable to CLU's graduate program mix and adult-learner targeting.
• Walden University: Online-for-profit university historically focused on graduate degrees for working professionals in social sciences, public administration, and organizational leadership — directly overlapping CLU's core portfolio.
• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit university with significant online enrollment offering business, leadership, and public-service-oriented degrees to adult learners — comparable on online delivery and target segments.
• Liberty University Online: Large nonprofit university with a substantial online division serving adult and military-affiliated students across bachelor's and master's programs. Comparable on online scale and adult-learner focus.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Major nonprofit online university with extensive bachelor's, master's, and certificate offerings for adult learners. Comparable on 100% online delivery, working-adult positioning, and breadth of professional programs.
• University of Phoenix: Pioneer in online-for-profit education for working adults, offering bachelor's and master's in business, public administration, and management. Direct competitor for the same adult-learner demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Arizona State University (ASU Online): Public R1 university with a leading online program portfolio including MPA and public-service degrees. Comparable on online delivery and public-administration offerings, but at far greater scale and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clincolnuniv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/claremontlincolnuniversity

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Claremont Lincoln University