William Peace University, Raleigh

What William Peace University, Raleigh does

William Peace University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education founded in 1857 and located on a single downtown Raleigh, North Carolina campus at 15 East Peace Street. The university serves approximately 778 students (Fall 2025) drawn from three primary segments: traditional first-time undergraduate students (residential, four-year baccalaureate), transfer students, and adult/working-professional learners via its School of Professional Studies (Peace Online). It offers more than 30 degree programs — plus additional minors — across in-person and online modalities, with specialized, externally accredited tracks in nursing (CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN) and teacher education (NC DPI-approved). Revenue is generated principally through list tuition of $35,910 per academic year for full-time traditional undergraduates ($1,165 per credit hour for part-time), a $700 annual comprehensive fee, on-campus housing and dining ($13,700-$14,440 per year), and lower per-credit online tuition ($198-$350 per credit hour). The university is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and financed through tuition, financial aid programs (merit scholarships of $13,000-$22,000 and the Peace Pledge covering 100% of tuition for eligible students), donations, and auxiliary services such as conference and event venue rentals.

The university's core operating model is built around an "immersive learning" methodology in which every course carries four credit hours and incorporates internships, applied projects, or research; the institution claims 100% in-person student internship completion and a 96% first-destination outcome rate (jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation). It supports a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio across roughly 101-250 employees. Distribution and enrollment are executed through regional admissions counselors assigned to U.S. territories, dedicated international student admissions (with F-1 visa pathways for students from more than 10 countries), and a Director of Online Enrollment and Strategic Partnerships for the adult-learning pipeline. Marketing spans a peace.edu website with virtual tours, an active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), email automation, campus events, and ticketed WPU Theatre productions.

Strategically, the university is in a transition phase: in March 2026, Jennifer Walsh was named president with a mandate to grow enrollment and maintain financial stability, while Dr. Lynda Szymanski's elevation to provost formalizes a new academic leadership model. Operating partnerships — Sodexo (dining), Inceptia (FAFSA verification), iGrad (financial literacy), GradGuard (tuition insurance), StudentBridge (virtual tours), and membership in NCICU — reflect a typical small-private-college vendor stack. The institution holds SACSCOC institutional accreditation and operates under Title IX, FERPA, and NC-SARA frameworks; no funding rounds, M&A activity, or technology-platform monetization are evident in the available data.

Name

William Peace University, Raleigh

Legal name

William Peace University

Website

https://peace.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1857

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

William Peace University is a private, nonprofit university in downtown Raleigh, NC, founded in 1857, serving ~778 students through 30+ traditional undergraduate and online professional degree programs anchored by an immersive, career-focused curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secular/Nonsectarian Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAG)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Online degree completion
• Teacher licensure programs
• Nursing education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The primary revenue stream comes from tuition charges for undergraduate programs. Full-time traditional undergraduate tuition is $35,910 per year (2026-27), with part-time students charged $1,165 per credit hour. Additional fees include a $700 comprehensive fee covering student activities, technology, and graduation costs.
2. Housing and Dining: On-campus housing and meal plan charges generate significant auxiliary revenue. Standard housing and food costs $13,700 per year, with Village Green apartments at $14,440 per year.
3. Peace Online Programs: The School of Professional Studies generates revenue through discounted online tuition rates, with general programs at $350 per credit hour, RN-to-BSN programs ranging from $198-$350 per credit hour, and teacher licensure at $295 per credit hour.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

William Peace University is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education offering more than 30 baccalaureate degree programs. Core offerings include in-person traditional undergraduate programs for first-time college students and online/hybrid degree programs for working professionals through the School of Professional Studies, with specialized tracks in teacher licensure and RN-to-BSN nursing. Every four-credit course integrates immersive learning experiences such as internships, applied projects, and research.

Product overview

William Peace University is a private, regionally-ranked institution offering a portfolio of educational products and services centered on undergraduate education. The core offerings include Traditional Undergraduate Programs (in-person baccalaureate degrees for first-time college students) and Peace Online Programs (accelerated online/hybrid degree options for working professionals through the School of Professional Studies). These are supported by specialized programs including Teacher Education (NC-approved licensure tracks) and RN-to-BSN Nursing. A distinguishing feature is the Immersive Learning methodology embedded in all courses, emphasizing experiential learning through internships and applied projects. The university also operates campus life services including esports, residence halls, and conference/event venue rentals. The institution is located in downtown Raleigh, NC, positioning the campus as an extension of the classroom for urban learning opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traditional Undergraduate Programs In-person baccalaureate degree programs for first-time college students, offering more than 30 degree programs with immersive learning experiences embedded in every course. Residential programs combine internships, applied projects, and career preparation throughout the curriculum.
• Peace Online (School of Professional Studies) Online and hybrid programs for working professionals and adult learners, offering accelerated degree completion options with flexible course scheduling and rolling start dates. Includes general programs, RN-to-BSN, and teacher licensure tracks delivered fully online.
• Teacher Education Program NC Department of Public Instruction-approved educator preparation programs including Elementary Education (K-6), Dual Licensure for Elementary and Special Education, and various residency licensure options. Graduates qualify for teaching licenses in NC and other NASDTEC Interstate Agreement states.
• RN-to-BSN Program Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program for registered nurses seeking to advance their education, requiring existing RN licensure for admission. CCNE-accredited and delivered online with rolling start dates.
• WPU Esports Competitive esports teams representing William Peace University in collegiate gaming competitions, supported by an on-campus esports and gaming lab where students practice and compete.
• Conference and Event Services Campus venue rental services including Kenan Hall, Main Parlor, Dinwiddie Chapel, and outdoor spaces for weddings, conferences, corporate events, and community gatherings. Ticketed shows also offered through the Peace Theatre.
• Campus Housing (Residence Halls) On-campus residential facilities for enrolled students, including Bingham Hall, Finley Hall, Davidson and Ross residence halls, and Village Green Apartments, paired with meal plans through Sodexo.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of graduates enter jobs or grad school within one year
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• SodexosupportingOthersSodexo is William Peace University's dining services partner, providing food services across campus dining halls, catering for events and conferences, and meal plan management for residential students.
• InceptiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInceptia partners with William Peace University to expedite the federal verification process for FAFSA applications. The partnership uses Inceptia's Verification Gateway platform to guide students and parents through verification requirements mandated by the Department of Education.
• iGradsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartneriGrad provides a financial literacy platform available to all Peace students, offering personalized scholarship searches, financial education tools, and career preparation resources through the student's Peace credentials.
• GradGuardsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGradGuard (through Allianz Global Assistance) provides tuition insurance plans to Peace students, offering coverage for tuition, housing, and board charges should a student need to leave before completing a semester due to illness or accident.
• NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCICU is a statewide association of 36 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in North Carolina. William Peace University participates in NCICU initiatives including congressional engagement, policy advocacy, and events such as the annual NCICU Ethics Bowl competition.
• StudentBridgesupportingTechnology or IntegrationStudentBridge provides the virtual tour and campus map platform for William Peace University, enabling prospective students to explore campus through interactive digital experiences.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WPeaceU
• Facebookfacebook.com/64976863262
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/william-peace-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/wpeaceu
• TikToktiktok.com/@wpeaceu
• Xx.com/wpeaceu

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 William Peace University, Raleigh