University of the Ozarks
University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts university in Clarksville, Arkansas, serving roughly 600 undergraduate students through its LENS multidisciplinary program, a 179-year heritage, and a 20-country international recruitment pipeline.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1834
- HeadquartersClarksville, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of the Ozarks does
University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year, nonprofit liberal arts university founded in 1834 and located on a single campus in Clarksville, Arkansas. It operates primarily as a residential undergraduate institution serving domestic high-school graduates, transfer students, and international students recruited globally via the Walton International Scholarship Program, with a documented student body drawing from 20+ countries spanning Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The academic product centers on the proprietary LENS (Learning Environment for New Synthesis) multidisciplinary framework, which allows students to combine multiple majors and minors; the curriculum is delivered through the third-party Canvas LMS, Microsoft 365, and Ellucian Cloud platforms, with no internal technology development disclosed.
The institution is supported by revenue from tuition and fees, residential room and board, $11.9 million in annual institutional scholarships (with 99% of students receiving financial aid), private donations, and grant funding notably including two Lilly Endowment grants totaling approximately $5.8 million for rural-church initiatives. Ancillary revenue is generated through conference services (catering, weddings, camps) and a wholly-owned subsidiary, Pressed Ink, a screen printing and embroidery business in downtown Clarksville. Beyond degree programs, the university has expanded into a regional anchor role via the Town Square Collaborative, an ecumenical partnership with Community Action Partnership, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, and Innovative Poverty Solutions supporting rural communities.
Spring 2026 commencement conferred degrees on 145 graduates, signaling a small undergraduate scale by industry standards. The institution is governed by an independent Board of Trustees under President Richard Dunsworth, J.D., and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its competitive positioning rests on the LENS curriculum, a 179-year heritage, affordability, small-class personalization, an alumni-driven job-placement network, and NCAA Division III athletics.
University of the Ozarks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of the Ozarks
- Legal name
- University of the Ozarks
- Website
- https://ozarks.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1834
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts university in Clarksville, Arkansas, serving roughly 600 undergraduate students through its LENS multidisciplinary program, a 179-year heritage, and a 20-country international recruitment pipeline.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where University of the Ozarks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Clarksville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of the Ozarks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate education programs.
- Room and Board: Housing and dining services provided to residential students on campus.
- Institutional Scholarships: University-funded scholarships ($11.9 million annually) that reduce net tuition revenue but support enrollment goals.
- Private Donations and Grants: Gifts from alumni, corporate partners, and foundation grants including $4.8M Lilly Endowment grant for rural church support.
- Conference Services: Venue rental and event services for external conferences, weddings, and community events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard undergraduate tuition for private liberal arts education |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
University of the Ozarks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts university that delivers undergraduate education through its signature LENS (Learning Environment for New Synthesis) multidisciplinary program, allowing students to combine multiple majors and minors across disciplines. The university provides residential campus-based instruction in Clarksville, Arkansas, supported by academic support centers (Jones Learning Center, Student Success Center), NCAA Division III athletics, study abroad opportunities, and the Robson Library.
Product overview
University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts university offering a multidisciplinary educational approach through its LENS program, which empowers students to combine multiple academic disciplines. The university provides undergraduate degree programs across various fields, supported by technology platforms including the Canvas learning management system, Robson Library, Jones Learning Center, and Student Success Center. Additional offerings include study abroad opportunities, a virtual campus tour experience, and NCAA Division III athletics programs. The institution is located in Clarksville, Arkansas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LENS Program: Learning Environment for New Synthesis program - a multidisciplinary approach to education
- Jones Learning Center
- Pat Walker Teacher Education Program
- TownSquare Collaborative (TSC)
- Pressed Ink
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of graduates achieve professional success (job or professional school)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use University of the Ozarks
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
University of the Ozarks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
University of the Ozarks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Community Action PartnershipcoreProgrammatic partner in the Town Square Collaborative (TSC), a regional ecumenical initiative to serve and support rural communities. Partner organization receiving grants from the University.
- Winthrop Rockefeller InstitutecoreProgrammatic partner in the Town Square Collaborative (TSC), serving as a regional resource for rural community development and leadership.
- Innovative Poverty SolutionscoreProgrammatic partner in the Town Square Collaborative (TSC), providing expertise and resources for addressing poverty challenges in rural communities.
- Arkansas Tech UniversityminorMemorandum of understanding allowing eligible U of O international students to pursue graduate study at Arkansas Tech University, expanding educational pathways.
- Georgetown University (Engalitcheff Institute)minorInternational students can participate in programs at Georgetown University's Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems for courses and internships in Washington D.C.
- Jump$tart CoalitionminorNational coalition dedicated to improving financial literacy of youth. University students intern with the organization to gain professional experience.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
University of the Ozarks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ouachita Baptist University: Private Baptist liberal arts university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with comparable enrollment scale, residential model, and faith-based positioning. Direct competitor for in-state private liberal arts applicants.
- Hendrix College: Private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, with similar undergraduate focus, comparable small enrollment scale, and active residential campus model. Closest direct competitor for in-state Arkansas liberal arts applicants.
- Harding University: Private Christian university in Searcy, Arkansas, with undergraduate liberal arts core and broader graduate offerings. Comparable religious affiliation, regional draw, and small-college feel.
- University of the Cumberlands: Private Baptist-affiliated university in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with similar small-college undergraduate liberal arts core and regional rural recruitment footprint.
- John Brown University: Private, interdenominational Christian university in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, offering undergraduate liberal arts and professional programs at a similar small scale. Competes for the same Arkansas and faith-aligned applicant pool.
- Lyon College: Small private liberal arts college in Batesville, Arkansas, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Highly comparable institution in size, denominational affiliation, regional draw, and undergraduate liberal arts focus.
- College of the Ozarks: Small, private, faith-based liberal arts college in Point Lookout, Missouri, known for its work-study model. Comparable rural location, Christian identity, and small residential enrollment despite the name similarity being coincidental.
- Bethany College: Small private liberal arts college in Bethany, West Virginia, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Comparable enrollment scale, religious heritage, and rural Midwestern/Appalachian recruitment profile.
- Williams Baptist University: Private Baptist university in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, offering undergraduate liberal arts programs at a small scale. Comparable regional draw, religious affiliation, and small-campus operating model.
Regional players
- Arkansas Tech University: Public university in Russellville, Arkansas, and a formal articulation partner with University of the Ozarks for international student graduate pathways. Serves the same regional talent pool from a public-institution angle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of the Ozarks social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of the Ozarks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
University of the Ozarks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of the Ozarks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
University of the Ozarks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
University of the Ozarks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of the Ozarks 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 University of the Ozarks
What does University of the Ozarks do?
University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts university that delivers undergraduate education through its signature LENS (Learning Environment for New Synthesis) multidisciplinary program, allowing students to combine multiple majors and minors across disciplines. The university provides residential campus-based instruction in Clarksville, Arkansas, supported by academic support centers (Jones Learning Center, Student Success Center), NCAA Division III athletics, study abroad opportunities, and the Robson Library.
Is University of the Ozarks a public or private company?
University of the Ozarks is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was University of the Ozarks founded?
University of the Ozarks was founded in 1834.
Where is University of the Ozarks based?
University of the Ozarks is headquartered in Clarksville, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of the Ozarks make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are room and Board, institutional Scholarships, private Donations and Grants and conference Services.
Who are University of the Ozarks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ouachita Baptist University, Hendrix College, Harding University, University of the Cumberlands, John Brown University, Lyon College, College of the Ozarks, Bethany College and Williams Baptist University. Arkansas Tech University is listed as a regional player.
Does University of the Ozarks have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of the Ozarks.