The College of Westchester

What The College of Westchester does

The College of Westchester (CW) is a private, nonprofit, career-focused higher education institution founded in 1915 and headquartered at 325 Central Avenue in White Plains, New York. It is MSCHE-accredited and operates four academic schools — Business, Health Professions, Information Technology, and Human and Social Services — offering certificate programs (13-month), associate degrees (AS/AAS/AOS), and bachelor's degrees (BBA/BS) delivered on-campus in day and evening formats, plus a CW Online division for fully online and hybrid study. Programs cluster around regionally labor-market-relevant fields such as accounting, business administration, digital marketing, medical assisting, health information management, cybersecurity, public health, and human services.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees for certificate and degree programs (classified in source data as subscription/recurring), supplemented by transcript and administrative fees; specific tuition prices are not publicly disclosed. The GTM motion is direct-to-consumer, with prospective students applying through the college's own success.cw.edu portal and recruited via personalized admissions counseling, info sessions, a virtual adviser quiz, high school counselor relationships, veteran outreach, and dual-enrollment articulation agreements (notably Mount Vernon High School and White Plains Youth Bureau). Marketing relies on owned digital channels (website, blog, news, President's blog, social media) and local community events rather than paid acquisition at scale.

The college serves a six-county regional draw (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Bronx, Lower Fairfield, Dutchess) and a student population that is over 75% first-generation, with 100% receiving a scholarship or grant. Operational scale is small and intimate: a 16:1 to 17.5:1 student-to-faculty ratio, one physical campus, and recent flagship additions include the Fall 2025 launch of the School of Human and Social Services and BS in Public Health, plus a BS in Cybersecurity in 2025. Leadership transitioned from President Mary Beth Del Balzo (2014–Dec 2023) to President Karen J. Smith, an alumna from the Class of 1984; the institution is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and is affiliated with a wholly owned charitable entity (The College of Westchester Charitable Foundation, CWCF). No parent company, no private equity or venture capital ownership, and no disclosed funding rounds are identified.

Name

The College of Westchester

Legal name

The College of Westchester

Website

https://cw.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The College of Westchester is a private, nonprofit career-focused college in White Plains, NY, offering certificate, associate, and bachelor's degrees across Business, IT, Health Professions, and Human and Social Services to primarily adult and first-generation students from the greater Westchester region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Private Career-Focused College)

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private/Independent Community & Junior Colleges (EDAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Urban/Metropolitan Community Colleges (EDAHADAL), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC)

Keywords

• Career-focused education
• Private college degrees
• Associate bachelor's programs
• Online degree programs
• Healthcare business IT

Headquarters

HQ city

White Plains

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The college generates revenue primarily through tuition charged for certificate, associate, bachelor's, and online degree programs. Additional fees include transcript request fees ($10 for official transcript, $50 for duplicate degree). Financial aid, scholarships, and grants are available to students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The College of Westchester is a private, MSCHE-accredited career college that delivers credit-bearing certificate (13-month), associate (AS/AAS/AOS), and bachelor's (BBA/BS) degree programs organized under four academic schools: Business, Health Professions, Human and Social Services, and Information Technology. Programs are offered on-campus (day and evening) in White Plains, NY and through the CW Online platform with a mobile learning system app for distance learners, supported by career services from enrollment through graduation.

Product overview

The College of Westchester is a career-focused private college offering a portfolio of degree programs and certificate programs organized under four academic schools: the School of Business, School of Health Professions, School of Human and Social Services, and School of Information Technology. Programs are delivered through three formats: on-campus (day and evening), fully online (CW Online), and hybrid. The institution's core products are its credit-bearing degree programs at the associate (AS/AAS/AOS) and bachelor's (BBA/BS) levels, complemented by shorter-term certificate programs ranging from 13 months. A newly launched School of Human and Social Services (Fall 2025) and Bachelor of Science in Public Health represent recent additions. The CW Online division extends campus programs to online and hybrid modalities with a dedicated learning system app. A student portal (My CW/success.cw.edu) supports academic records and administrative services. The Cybersecurity Center @ CW provides specialized training including Cisco Academy coursework supporting the cybersecurity programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School of Business Academic division offering degree programs in accounting, business administration, and digital marketing at the associate to bachelor's level, including BBA in Accounting, BBA in Business Administration, AAS in Business Administration – Management/Marketing, BS in Digital and Social Media Marketing, and certificate programs (Intensive Accounting, Digital Media Specialist).
• School of Health Professions Academic division providing career-focused healthcare programs including BBA in Healthcare Services Administration, AAS in Medical Assistant Management, AOS in Health Information Management, and certificate programs for Medical Assistant Specialist and Health Information Specialist.
• School of Human and Social Services Newly launched academic division (Fall 2025) offering degree programs in Public Health (BS) and Human Services (BS and AS), preparing students for community health, social services, and public health policy careers.
• School of Information Technology Academic division offering computer science and IT programs including BS and AAS in Computer Science in Cybersecurity & Defense, Computer Networking Specialist certificate, and the Cybersecurity Center @ CW.
• CW Online Online education division offering fully online degree programs across Accounting (BBA and AAS), Business Administration (BBA and AAS), Computer Science in Cybersecurity & Defense (BS and AAS), Digital and Social Media Marketing (BS), Healthcare Services Administration (BBA), Human Services (BS and AS), Health Information Management (AOS), Public Health (BS), and Health Information Specialist (certificate), with a learning system app enabling mobile study.
• Certificate Programs Shorter-term career-focused certificate programs ranging from 13 months, covering Intensive Accounting, Digital Media Specialist, Medical Assistant Specialist, Health Information Specialist, and Computer Networking Specialist.
• BBA in Accounting Four-year bachelor's degree in accounting, part of the School of Business; available on-campus and through CW Online.
• BBA in Business Administration Four-year bachelor's degree in business administration, part of the School of Business; available on-campus and through CW Online.
• BS in Digital and Social Media Marketing Bachelor's degree focused on digital marketing, social media strategy, and marketing analytics, offered through the School of Business; available on-campus and online.
• BS in Public Health New bachelor's degree launched Fall 2025 under the School of Human and Social Services covering health policy and program design, community outreach and advocacy, data analysis and public health research, and wellness promotion; available in day, evening/hybrid, and fully online formats.
• BS in Human Services Four-year bachelor's degree in human services preparing students for case management, community outreach, and social service coordination roles; available on-campus and online.
• AS in Human Services Two-year associate degree in human services providing foundational preparation in service systems and case coordination; available on-campus and online.
• BS in Computer Science in Cybersecurity & Defense Four-year bachelor's degree in cybersecurity and defense within the School of Information Technology; includes CW Cisco Academy workshops and preparation for cybersecurity competitions; available on-campus and online.
• AAS in Computer Science in Cybersecurity & Defense Two-year associate degree in cybersecurity and defense within the School of Information Technology; available on-campus and online.
• Computer Networking Specialist Program Program within the School of Information Technology focused on computer network administration, preparing students for network engineering roles; available as certificate and potentially as an associate degree (Computer Network Administration).
• BBA in Healthcare Services Administration Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration preparing students for management roles in healthcare facilities; available on-campus and through CW Online.
• AAS in Medical Assistant Management Two-year associate degree in medical assistant management within the School of Health Professions, preparing students for administrative and clinical roles in healthcare settings.
• AOS in Health Information Management Associate of Occupational Science in health information management within the School of Health Professions; available on-campus and through CW Online.
• Medical Assistant Specialist Certificate Certificate program in medical assisting within the School of Health Professions, preparing students for clinical and administrative roles in healthcare practices.
• Health Information Specialist Certificate Certificate program in health information management within the School of Health Professions, focused on health records and data management; available on-campus and through CW Online.
• Cybersecurity Center @ CW Specialized cybersecurity center within the School of Information Technology offering workshops, competitions, and training including CW Cisco Academy coursework, supporting the cybersecurity degree programs.
• Intensive Accounting Certificate Accelerated certificate program in accounting and computer applications within the School of Business, designed for career-focused accounting skills.
• Digital Media Specialist Certificate Certificate program in digital media within the School of Business, focused on digital content creation and media production skills.
• My CW Student Portal Online student portal (success.cw.edu) providing access to course materials, academic records, transcript requests, and application services for current and prospective students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #6 in Social Mobility among Regional Colleges North by U.S. News & World Report.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mount Vernon High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CW entered an articulation agreement with Mount Vernon High School allowing students to earn nine college credits. CW representatives led interactive workshops for the school's Entrepreneurship class, providing practical business insights. The MVHS Hospitality Management CTE program was approved by NYSED as a graduation pathway for five years beginning 2026-2027.
• Business Council of WestchesterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025CW celebrated with the Business Council of Westchester at the organization's Summer Soiree at Larchmont Country Club. The partnership supports CW's community integration and employer engagement strategy within the Westchester business community.
• Mount Vernon High School (Hospitality Management)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025CW has an articulation agreement with Mount Vernon High School's Hospitality Management Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, approved by NYSED as a graduation pathway for five years starting 2026-2027, allowing students to earn nine college credits toward CW programs.
• White Plains Youth Bureau (WPYB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CW partnered with the White Plains Youth Bureau for Project Digital JumpStart (PDJ), a yearlong initiative funded by a grant from Comcast Corporation through the U.S. Conference of Mayors. CW Computer Science students guided high school students through computer hardware/software concepts, PC assembly, Linux installation, and laptop repair. The program exemplifies community engagement and STEM education outreach.
• City of White PlainscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The City of White Plains partnered with CW and the White Plains Youth Bureau to support Project Digital JumpStart. CW students participated in the City's Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), with CW student Alyssa Fazio developing the EnviroFest project, recognized at a City celebration event attended by Mayor Tom Roach.
• Comcast Corporation (via U.S. Conference of Mayors)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Comcast Corporation, through the U.S. Conference of Mayors, awarded a grant funding Project Digital JumpStart — a collaboration between CW, the City of White Plains, and the White Plains Youth Bureau to introduce high school students to computer hardware, software, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Women's Enterprise Development Center (WEDC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024WEDC donated laptops for use in Project Digital JumpStart. CW students installed Linux on the donated laptops and prepared them for distribution to older adults in the community, supporting digital equity initiatives.
• Clark UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CW IT students competed in the 2nd Annual Tech Challenge hosted by Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, through Clark's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. CW students competed alongside graduate-level students, developing original apps and technology solutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• University of Phoenix: Large for-profit institution historically focused on working-adult learners in career-oriented programs including business, IT, and health. Comparable target market to CW's adult-learner segment and a competitor in the online/distance learning space.
• Pace University: Large private university with campuses in NYC (Midtown and Downtown) and Westchester (Pleasantville/Briarcliff), offering career-focused programs in Business, IT, Health, and Education. Overlaps with CW in Westchester geography and career-oriented program mix but at significantly larger scale.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large private nonprofit university that has built a massive online enrollment in career-oriented associate, bachelor's, and master's programs targeting adult and first-generation learners. Represents the dominant national competitor in CW's CW Online space.

Direct peers

• College of Mount Saint Vincent: Private Catholic college in the Riverdale/ Bronx area offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong focus on adult learners and career preparation. Comparable small private career-focused positioning in the same metro region.
• Mercy College: Private nonprofit college in the Hudson Valley / Westchester area (Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, Yorktown) offering associate through doctoral programs with a strong focus on diverse, first-generation, and adult learners. Closest geographic and mission peer to CW.
• LIM College: A small, private NYC college focused on the business of fashion and lifestyle, offering career-oriented associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Comparable to CW as a small, private, career-focused institution serving non-traditional and first-generation students.
• St. Thomas Aquinas College: Small private college in Rockland County, NY offering career-oriented associate, bachelor's, and master's programs with a comparable mix of business, education, and health offerings. Geographic and mission peer in the same Hudson Valley corridor.
• Berkeley College: A private, career-focused college in the NYC metro area (campuses in NYC, NJ, and online) offering associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs in Business, Health, and IT. Highly comparable to CW in mission, program mix, and target student population.
• Monroe College: Private, career-oriented college in the Bronx/New Rochelle with associate, bachelor's, and master's programs in Business, Health, IT, and Criminal Justice. Directly comparable to CW in regional footprint, career focus, and high first-generation and minority student enrollment.

Regional players

• SUNY Westchester Community College: Public community college serving the same Westchester County primary market as CW, offering associate degrees and certificate programs in similar career fields. Represents the primary public-sector price competitor in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheCofWOnline
• Facebookfacebook.com/73083387139
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-college-of-westchester

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 The College of Westchester