Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts institution founded in 1873 in Spring Arbor, Michigan, offering campus undergraduate, online undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrollment programs across multiple Michigan and Ohio sites to traditional and non-traditional students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1873
- HeadquartersSpring Arbor, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Spring Arbor University does
Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts institution founded in 1873 and headquartered in Spring Arbor, Michigan. It serves a student body of several thousand across four primary modalities: campus-based residential undergraduate programs, online undergraduate degree-completion programs, graduate programs, and high school dual enrollment. The university delivers instruction through a main Spring Arbor campus and regional sites in Flint, Kalamazoo, and Southfield (Michigan) plus Toledo, Ohio. Its core technology stack comprises Brightspace (Blackboard) for learning management, Jenzabar CX (MySAU) for student information, Oracle ERP for enterprise operations, Salesforce for admissions and inquiry management, and supporting systems including Paycor (HCM), Raiser's Edge NXT (alumni/donor relations), Eloqua (marketing automation), and EBSCO/ProQuest/JSTOR (library databases). The institution maintains an IT help desk (MySupport), multi-factor authentication via Microsoft Authenticator, and Zoom/Slack for collaboration.
The university's revenue model is tuition-and-fees driven, classified as recurring subscription-style charges across degree programs, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Distribution occurs through direct campus recruitment, a Salesforce-driven online inquiry system, social media channels, campus visit events, and a high school dual enrollment channel for younger prospects. Marketing relies on the university's official website, organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube), earned media, and event-based engagement. The institution's brand is anchored in faith-based education, NCAA Division II athletics, spiritual life programming, and a community-oriented student experience.
Strategically, Spring Arbor University is pursuing measured expansion through online program growth (notably nursing to address U.S. healthcare workforce shortages), formal entry into collegiate esports, sustained multi-site geographic presence, and active fundraising (Ignite Campaign). The institution operates without venture capital or private equity ownership, governed instead by a board of trustees typical of private non-profit universities.
Spring Arbor University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spring Arbor University
- Legal name
- Spring Arbor University
- Website
- https://arbor.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1873
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit Christian liberal arts institution founded in 1873 in Spring Arbor, Michigan, offering campus undergraduate, online undergraduate, graduate, and dual enrollment programs across multiple Michigan and Ohio sites to traditional and non-traditional students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Spring Arbor University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), Pre-College Summer/Winter Academic Programs (High School Students) (EDAIAIAD)
Keywords
Where Spring Arbor University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Spring Arbor
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Spring Arbor University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Spring Arbor University generates revenue primarily through tuition charges for undergraduate and graduate programs, including both campus-based and online delivery formats. Additional fees apply for various services and programs.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Spring Arbor University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spring Arbor University is a private Christian liberal arts institution delivering higher education through multiple modalities: traditional on-campus undergraduate degree programs with residential life, fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and high school dual enrollment. The university supplements instruction with academic support services including the Hugh and Edna White Library, the Writing Center, distance learner support, interlibrary loan, and instructional technology such as Brightspace LMS and the MySAU student portal.
Product overview
Spring Arbor University operates as a Christian liberal arts institution offering a portfolio of educational programs including campus undergraduate degrees, online undergraduate completion programs, and graduate programs, alongside high school dual enrollment options. The university provides comprehensive academic support infrastructure including the Hugh and Edna White Library system with extensive research databases (EBSCO, ProQuest, JSTOR, Gale), the Writing Center for writing consultations and citation assistance, library instruction through the Crash Course and Research Posters guides, and specialized services for distance/online students. Technology-enabled services include the MySAU student portal (Jenzabar CX), Brightspace learning management system, campus-wide printing infrastructure, and an IT Help Desk. The university maintains interlibrary loan partnerships, open educational resources support, and various citation style guides.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- White Library: Hugh & Edna White Library serving as the university's academic library with resources for research and information needs.
- Writing Center
Products and services
- Campus Undergraduate Programs Traditional on-campus undergraduate degree programs for residential students seeking a Christian liberal arts education at Spring Arbor, Michigan.
- Online Undergraduate Programs
Companies that use Spring Arbor University
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Spring Arbor University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration29 records
Spring Arbor University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Spring Arbor TownshipminorSpring Arbor University and Spring Arbor Township jointly received a $750,000 federal grant for water infrastructure improvements in Spring Arbor, Michigan. The project includes drilling wells and constructing supporting facilities.
- Summit WaterminorSummit Water partnered with Spring Arbor University and Spring Arbor Township to receive a $750,000 federal grant for water infrastructure improvements, including drilling wells and constructing supporting facilities in Spring Arbor, Michigan.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Spring Arbor University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bethel University: Christian university in Mishawaka, Indiana with campus, online, and graduate programs. Comparable in faith-based mission, Midwest geography, NCAA athletics, and multi-modality program structure.
- Cornerstone University: Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan offering campus undergraduate, online, and graduate programs. Closely comparable in faith-based identity, regional footprint, and multi-modality program structure.
- Calvin University: Christian liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Directly comparable as a private, faith-based, residential liberal arts institution competing for the same Michigan traditional-age and Christian student segments.
- Cedarville University: Christian university in Cedarville, Ohio with strong residential and online programs. Comparable in faith-based identity, Midwest geography, NCAA Division II athletics, and growing online nursing/health-sciences portfolio.
- Olivet Nazarene University: Christian university in Bourbonnais, Illinois with significant online undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable in faith-based mission, Midwest geography, and adult-learner online scale.
- Hope College: Private Christian-affiliated liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan. Comparable in mission, geography, NCAA Division III athletics, and reliance on the Michigan residential student market.
- Siena Heights University: Private Catholic university headquartered in Adrian, Michigan with multiple regional sites and online programs. Comparable as a small private Michigan institution with multi-site delivery and adult-learner focus.
- Indiana Wesleyan University: Christian university with a large national online program alongside residential campus in Marion, Indiana. Comparable as a faith-based institution successfully scaling online undergraduate and graduate education, and a direct competitor in the online adult-learner market.
- Adrian College: Private liberal arts college in Adrian, Michigan offering residential and online programs, including athletics. Comparable as a small private Michigan institution competing for the same regional student pool.
Broad incumbents
- Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit/Christian university with the largest online enrollment base among faith-based U.S. institutions. Comparable as a Christian-branded competitor in the online undergraduate and graduate market, but operates at materially greater scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Spring Arbor University social profiles
Digital presenceSpring Arbor University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spring Arbor University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Spring Arbor University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spring Arbor University 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 Spring Arbor University
What does Spring Arbor University do?
Spring Arbor University is a private Christian liberal arts institution delivering higher education through multiple modalities: traditional on-campus undergraduate degree programs with residential life, fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and high school dual enrollment. The university supplements instruction with academic support services including the Hugh and Edna White Library, the Writing Center, distance learner support, interlibrary loan, and instructional technology such as Brightspace LMS and the MySAU student portal.
Is Spring Arbor University a public or private company?
Spring Arbor University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Spring Arbor University founded?
Spring Arbor University was founded in 1873. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Spring Arbor University based?
Spring Arbor University is headquartered in Spring Arbor, United States, in the North America region.
How does Spring Arbor University make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Fees.
Who are Spring Arbor University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bethel University, Cornerstone University, Calvin University, Cedarville University, Olivet Nazarene University, Hope College, Siena Heights University, Indiana Wesleyan University and Adrian College. Grand Canyon University is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Spring Arbor University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spring Arbor University.
What industry is Spring Arbor University in?
Spring Arbor University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAH, Residential Liberal Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAAAEAA, University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.