Concordia University, Ann Arbor

What Concordia University, Ann Arbor does

Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is a private Lutheran higher education institution founded in 1962 (opened Fall 1963) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, operating as part of the Concordia University System affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod under independent governance. It serves traditional undergraduates, graduate health-professions students, working adults, dual-enrolled high school students, and international students through a portfolio of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. The institution's strategic emphasis is on faith-based holistic education (mind, body, spirit) anchored by an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and "Live Uncommon" positioning.

CUAA's core academic product is its health-professions portfolio, anchored by the Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT, launched Fall 2023; CAPTE-accredited; 28-student cohorts; 30-month/103-credit curriculum; 1,280 clinical hours; flipped-classroom delivery) and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD; ACOTE-accredited; hybrid online + on-campus lab model; 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork; 14-week capstone). Supporting programs include the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry), Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction, and online bachelor's degrees in elementary and secondary education for Michigan teacher certification. Delivery technology centers on the Canvas LMS for online/hybrid coursework and a state-of-the-art simulation center with manikins for clinical training, supplemented by EXXAT STEPS for clinical placement tracking.

CUAA's revenue model is tuition-driven: DPT totals approximately $109,800-$117,600 per program (semester-billed, ~3% annual increases per cohort); OTD totals approximately $93,750; dual enrollment is priced at $80/credit (Concordia Promise) or $160/credit (Michigan PEOA/state-funded). Distribution runs through a centralized online application portal (apply.cuw.edu) shared with Concordia University Wisconsin, with rolling admissions, multiple cohort start dates, and centralized application services (PTCAS, OTCAS, CASPA). Recruitment is augmented by LCMS church networks, college fairs, 21 international partner institutions across 10 countries, and 500+ study abroad programs in 48 countries. The institution is led by President Erik Ankerberg, has 101-250 employees, and operates as a nonprofit with no external equity investors.

Name

Concordia University, Ann Arbor

Legal name

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Website

https://cuaa.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private Lutheran university offering accredited doctoral programs in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, plus graduate and undergraduate degrees in education, nursing, and physician assistant studies. It serves traditional students, working adults, dual-enrolled high schoolers, and international learners in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Allied Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Schools (PT/OT/SLP, etc.) (EDAHAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF), Dual/Joint Degree Programs (International) (EDAIABAD)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Doctoral degree programs
• Health professions education
• Teacher certification programs
• Distance learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Graduate Health Professions Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition for professional doctoral programs (DPT, OTD) and graduate health programs (PA, MSN). Programs charge per semester or per cohort with tuition locked at admission. Programs include DPT ($21,960-$23,520/semester, 5 semesters), OTD ($11,718/semester, 8 installments), and other health programs. Revenue is recurring per student cohort with semester-based billing cadence.
2. Undergraduate Tuition: Tuition revenue from undergraduate degree programs including education (teacher certification), business, and liberal arts. Programs offered online, on-campus, and in hybrid formats. Programs charge per credit or per term with multiple start dates annually.
3. Dual Enrollment / Pre-College Tuition: Revenue from dual credit courses taken by high school students. Concordia Promise students pay $80/credit; Michigan PEOA students billed at $160/credit (paid by state/school district); out-of-state dual credit students pay $160/credit. Students may enroll in up to 2 courses per semester (fall/spring) or 1 course in summer.
4. Study Abroad Program Revenue: Short-term faculty-led Global Ed courses ($2,000-$5,000, median $3,000) and semester-long study abroad programs. Semester costs are generally comparable to on-campus tuition. Revenue from third-party program providers (API, TEAN, AIFS Abroad) and direct Concordia-led programs.
5. Professional Services and Fieldwork Administration: Fees associated with program administration including graduation fees, technology fees, parking, CPR/First Aid certification, background checks, immunization/health screening, textbooks and materials, student malpractice insurance (included in tuition), and professional certification exam fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is a private Lutheran higher education institution that offers accredited doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate degree programs with a primary focus on health professions (Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Science in Nursing) and teacher certification/education degrees. Programs are delivered on-campus, online, and through hybrid formats combining synchronous online instruction with on-campus intensive laboratory experiences. The institution also offers dual enrollment for high school students and a study abroad program covering 500+ programs in 48 countries.

Product overview

Concordia University Ann Arbor is a Lutheran higher education institution offering a portfolio of academic degree programs and educational services. The institution operates primarily as a healthcare and education-focused university with doctoral programs in Physical Therapy (DPT) and Occupational Therapy (OTD), graduate programs in Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and undergraduate/graduate education degrees for teacher certification. Additional programs include dual credit opportunities for high school students through the Concordia Promise and Concordia Promise Plus programs, and international study abroad services. The institution utilizes a hybrid learning model combining online coursework with on-campus intensives, particularly for health professions programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) An accelerated 30-month doctoral program (103 credits) preparing students for entry-level physical therapy practice. Delivered on-campus with eight-week terms in a flipped classroom format. Includes 1,280 hours of clinical education across three clinical experiences. Accredited by CAPTE.
• Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) A hybrid doctoral program (102 credits, 30 months) preparing clinicians to improve lives through therapeutic use of everyday activities. Combines structured online learning with hands-on practice on campus and in the community. Includes 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and a 14-week capstone project. Accredited by ACOTE.
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies A Master of Science degree program (113 credits) preparing students for physician assistant licensure. Delivered on-campus with comprehensive clinical training. Achieves 93% first-time PANCE pass rate exceeding the national average of 92%.
• Master of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry) An accelerated nursing program (64 credits) enabling career changers to enter the nursing profession. Available in both online and on-campus formats.
• Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction Graduate programs (30 credits each) leading to teacher certification in Elementary or Secondary Education. Delivered fully online with flexible start dates.
• Bachelor of Arts in Lower and Upper Elementary Education A 120-credit online program leading to Michigan teacher certification for grades K-8, with MI endorsements available. Features self-paced 8-week sessions with multiple start dates.
• Bachelor of Arts in Upper Elementary & Special Education (Learning Disabilities Endorsement) A 120-credit online program combining elementary education certification with special education endorsement. Includes 245 hours of clinical observations and 450 hours of student teaching.
• Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - English and Language Arts A 120-credit online program leading to Michigan teacher certification for grades 5-12 English and Language Arts. Prepares students to teach at middle and upper secondary levels.
• Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education - Mathematics

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% first-time pass rate on PANCE exam, exceeding national average of 92%
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of AucklandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Semester study abroad arrangement with credits transferring back to CUAA. New Zealand's largest university, enabling Pacific Rim study abroad access.
• Christian Association of Hope and LightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2018Business contract in nursing, facilitating Romanian student enrollment in nursing programs. LCMS-aligned organization in Romania.
• Missio Link International FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2018Business contract in nursing, facilitating international nursing student placement through mission-aligned organization.
• Social Assistance Directorate of Timisoara CountyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2018Business contract in nursing, facilitating Romanian governmental/social services employee access to CUAA nursing programs.
• Daegu UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2018General Education Memorandum of Understanding with a major South Korean university, enabling exchange and credit transfer for Korean students.
• Niihama City School Board of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018General Memorandum of Understanding covering pharmacy programs and educational exchange with Japanese municipal school board.
• Asociacion de Calidad en Salud del PeruminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2018General Memorandum of Understanding covering pharmacy programs and healthcare quality initiatives in Peru.
• Matsuyama UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018General Memorandum of Understanding covering pharmacy programs and academic exchange. Represents CUAA's presence in Japan's higher education sector.
• Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (江西财经大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2017MBA program with transfer-out undergraduate and transfer-in graduate arrangements. Enables Chinese students to complete MBA coursework with credit transfers.
• Guangzhou Zhizhi Culture Co. LTDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2017MBA business contract arrangement facilitating Chinese student enrollment.
• Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016General Memorandum of Understanding with a private Peruvian university, supporting healthcare education exchange.
• Societedad Peruana de Farmacia HospitalariaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016General Memorandum of Understanding for pharmacy program development and hospital pharmacy education in Peru.
• Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016General Memorandum of Understanding with a leading Peruvian university in healthcare and sciences, supporting pharmacy and related academic exchange.
• Colegio San Pablo (Montevideo)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016General Education Memorandum of Understanding with a private school in Uruguay, enabling educational exchange and credit transfers in South America.
• Shanghai Normal University Tianhua College (上海师范大学天华学院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2016Dual degree arrangement in Rehabilitation Science. Students can transfer between Shanghai Normal University Tianhua College and CUAA for dual degree completion. Agreement revised April 2016.
• Ukrainian-American Concordia University (Kiev)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2015MBA dual degree arrangement with Ukrainian-American Concordia University. Agreement revised September 2015. Represents the deepest international partnership, connecting two Concordia system institutions for dual degree completion.
• Shanghai Tino Education & King's Road EDUminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2015Business contract arrangement facilitating Chinese student recruitment and placement.
• Upper Austria University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2013Dual degree transfer arrangement for MBA students. Allows students to transfer between institutions for dual degree completion. Agreement was revised in February 2013.
• Westfield HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term agreement for semester study abroad in theological studies. UK-based theological institution enabling theological study abroad for CUAA students.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Concordia University Wisconsin: Sister campus in the Concordia University System sharing the centralized application portal, shared study abroad and international student services, and overlapping academic programs. The most direct operational and structural peer to CUAA.
• Madonna University: Private Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan, similar in size and mission, with accredited DPT and PA programs. Directly comparable as a Michigan-based faith-rooted institution offering premium-priced health professions degrees.
• Calvin University: Christian Reformed university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with similar size and faith-based liberal arts positioning. Comparable on undergraduate residential experience, faith integration, and Midwest private university economics, though lighter on graduate health professions.
• Hope College: Reformed Church-affiliated private liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, similar in size and faith-based identity. Comparable on traditional undergraduate residential model and small faith-rooted Midwest college positioning.
• MGH Institute of Health Professions: Health-focused graduate institution in Boston with accredited DPT and OT programs and hybrid/online delivery models. Comparable as a specialized health professions school competing for the same national applicant pool in PT and OT.

Regional players

• Andrews University: Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, with faith-based identity and a School of Health Professions. Comparable on faith-based Michigan higher education and health professions portfolio, though denominationally distinct.
• Siena Heights University: Private Catholic university headquartered in Adrian, Michigan, with comparable size and faith-based mission. Comparable on small private Midwest university scale and undergraduate portfolio.
• Eastern Michigan University: Michigan public university in Ypsilanti with accredited DPT and OT programs. Comparable as a regional competitor for the same applicant pool in southeast Michigan, but distinct as a public institution with lower tuition.

Broad incumbents

• University of Michigan: Major public research university located in the same Ann Arbor market with established DPT and OT programs. Represents the dominant secular competitor for the same southeast Michigan applicant pool and clinical placement sites.
• Creighton University: Larger Jesuit private university in Omaha with well-established DPT, OT, and PA programs and hybrid delivery. Comparable on faith-based identity combined with high-quality health professions education, though at meaningfully larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cuaa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CUannarbor
• Facebookfacebook.com/8131260761
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/concordia-university-ann-arbor
• Instagraminstagram.com/cuannarbor

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Concordia University, Ann Arbor