Erikson Institute
Erikson Institute is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit graduate school exclusively focused on early childhood development, education, and social work, serving 356 students through master's, certificate, and professional development programs, and operating community services and applied research divisions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Erikson Institute does
Erikson Institute is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit graduate school founded in 1965 and named after psychologist Erik Erikson. It is described as the only graduate school in the United States 100% focused on early childhood development, education, and social work, serving approximately 356 enrolled students through master's degrees (MS in Child Development with Core and Child Life concentrations, MS in Early Childhood Education with licensure and Early Intervention tracks, MSW), a PhD in Child Development (currently on admissions hold), and graduate certificates in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health and Social & Emotional Learning. The institution supplements degree programs with professional development, executive leadership training, community services (Fussy Baby Network, Center for Children and Families), and an applied research/policy division that includes the Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center and the "Get on the Early Childhood Bus" podcast.
Programs are delivered in on-campus (75,000 sqft River North facility), hybrid, and fully online formats, with published 2025-26 tuition of $600-$1,157 per credit hour depending on program. The business model combines tuition revenue (90%+ of students receive financial aid; over $2.5M in institutional scholarships and grants awarded annually), professional development course fees, community service contracts, and philanthropic donations. Erikson maintains 200+ Chicago-based internship/field placement partnerships and a 15+ MOA partner network including Chicago Public Schools, Florida A&M University, Start Early, and One Hope United. The go-to-market is sales-led admissions with rolling-basis holistic review, supported by a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, a 3,370-living-alumni network across 46 states and 21 countries, and 96.7% field employment outcomes for master's graduates. The institute holds Higher Learning Commission accreditation, ACLP endorsement for Child Life, and Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Entitled Institution status.
Erikson Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Erikson Institute
- Legal name
- Erikson Institute
- Website
- https://erikson.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Erikson Institute is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit graduate school exclusively focused on early childhood development, education, and social work, serving 356 students through master's, certificate, and professional development programs, and operating community services and applied research divisions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Erikson Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early Childhood & Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs (EDAHAFAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pre-Service ECE Credential Programs (Certificates/Diplomas/Degrees) (EDACAIAA), Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity) (EDACAIAF), In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)
Keywords
Where Erikson Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Erikson Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Graduate Education Programs: Tuition-based revenue from master's degrees (MS Child Development, MS Early Childhood Education, MSW), PhD programs, and graduate certificates. Students pay per credit hour or program tuition. Over 90% of students receive financial aid or scholarships.
- Professional Development: Revenue from continuing education courses, workshops, seminars, and training programs for early childhood professionals. Alumni receive 20% discounts on courses.
- Donations and Philanthropy: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization generating revenue through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. EIN: 36-2593545.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Master of Social Work (MSW) |
| Subscription | Annual | Other Master's Degrees (Child Development, Early Childhood Education) |
| Subscription | Annual | Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate |
| Subscription | Annual | Social & Emotional Learning Certificate |
| Other | Annual | Leadership Scholarship |
| Other | Annual | Affordability Scholarship |
| Other | Annual | Service-Based Grants |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Erikson Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Erikson Institute is a graduate school offering master's degrees (MS Child Development, MS Early Childhood Education, MSW), a PhD in Child and Family Studies, graduate certificates (IECMH, SEL), and professional development courses focused exclusively on early childhood development, education, and social work. Programs are delivered in-person, hybrid, and fully online formats to current and aspiring early childhood professionals.
Product overview
Erikson Institute is a graduate school offering a portfolio of degree programs (master's and doctoral), graduate certificates, and professional development offerings focused on early childhood development, education, and social work. The core academic products include Master's in Child Development (with Core and Child Life concentrations), Master's in Early Childhood Education (licensure and early intervention tracks), Master of Social Work, and PhD in Child Development. Supporting offerings include graduate certificates in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health and Social and Emotional Learning. Non-degree programs include professional development workshops, executive training, and community services including the Fussy Baby Network and family support services. The institution also operates applied research and policy centers including the Technology in Early Childhood (TEC) Center. Programs are delivered in-person, hybrid, or fully online formats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Master's in Child Development (Core Concentration)
Quantifiable outcome
- 96.7% employment rate for master's degree students within their field of study
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Erikson Institute
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Erikson Institute technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Erikson Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regional and minor.
- Chicago Public SchoolscoreMOA partnership for training teachers and early childhood professionals. Supports student recruitment and field placement opportunities.
- Start EarlycoreMOA partner organization. Has hired over a dozen Erikson graduates. Collaboration on early childhood education initiatives.
- Big Shoulders FundcoreMOA partner supporting early childhood education professionals in Chicago.
- Family FocusmajorMOA partner providing services to children and families in Illinois.
- Holy Family MinistriesmajorMOA partner in Chicago providing educational services.
- YMCA of Metropolitan ChicagomajorMOA partner offering programming across Illinois locations.
- YWCA Metropolitan ChicagomajorMOA partner supporting women and families in Chicago area.
- One Hope UnitedmajorMOA partner serving children and families through multiple service locations.
- Lake County Regional Department of EducationregionalMOA partner supporting educators in Lake County, Illinois.
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityregionalHistorically Black college/university MOA partner for student recruitment and advanced study pathways.
- St. Augustine CollegeregionalChicago-based MOA partner for advanced study in early childhood education and social work.
- Trinity Christian CollegeregionalMOA partner in Palos Heights, IL for early childhood education pathways.
- Carole Robertson Learning CenterregionalMOA partner in Chicago providing early childhood learning opportunities.
- Illinois Gateways to OpportunitycoreEntitled institution partnership allowing students to seek Early Care and Education Credentials (Levels 2-6) through Illinois credentialing system.
- StudentSpaceminorFree apartment-finding service that specializes in helping graduate students find housing in Chicago. Supports student recruitment by easing relocation concerns.
- HandshakeminorOnline career services platform where employers post jobs accessible to Erikson students and alumni.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Erikson Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wheelock College (BU Wheelock): Formerly Boston-based Wheelock College specialized in early childhood and educator preparation; merged into Boston University. Comparable historical direct peer in the niche ECE graduate market.
- Bank Street College of Education: New York City-based graduate school exclusively focused on education and child development, offering master's degrees and certificates. Directly comparable to Erikson's ECE-focused graduate education model.
- Pacific Oaks College: Pasadena-based college specializing in early childhood education, teacher preparation, and human development with master's and certificate programs — closely parallels Erikson's ECE graduate focus.
Regional players
- National Louis University: Chicago-based university with strong early childhood education, social work, and applied behavioral science programs. Same geography as Erikson with overlapping programs but broader portfolio.
- Concordia University Chicago: Chicago-area university with early childhood education and applied behavior analysis graduate programs. Operates in same geographic market with overlapping program offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Harvard Graduate School of Education: Premier graduate education school with early childhood programs. A prestige incumbent whose brand competes with Erikson for top ECE graduate applicants and policy influence.
- University of Illinois Chicago College of Education: Public Chicago institution offering ECE and education graduate degrees with far larger scale. Overlaps with Erikson's Chicago market but offers broader education portfolio and research capacity.
- Columbia University Teachers College: Major graduate education institution in NYC with broad ECE offerings. Comparable as a large, established competitor for ECE graduate students and research talent.
- Loyola University Chicago School of Education: Chicago-based broader university with education graduate programs including early childhood. Same geography as Erikson but with a wider portfolio of programs.
Emerging players
- Relay Graduate School of Education: Graduate school of education focused on teacher preparation with strong K-12 teacher training focus. Comparable as an emerging specialized graduate education institution, though K-12 centric rather than 0-8.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Erikson Institute social profiles
Digital presenceErikson Institute compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Erikson Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Erikson Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Erikson Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Erikson Institute 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 Erikson Institute
What does Erikson Institute do?
Erikson Institute is a graduate school offering master's degrees (MS Child Development, MS Early Childhood Education, MSW), a PhD in Child and Family Studies, graduate certificates (IECMH, SEL), and professional development courses focused exclusively on early childhood development, education, and social work. Programs are delivered in-person, hybrid, and fully online formats to current and aspiring early childhood professionals.
Is Erikson Institute a public or private company?
Erikson Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Erikson Institute founded?
Erikson Institute was founded in 1965. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Erikson Institute based?
Erikson Institute is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Erikson Institute make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Graduate Education Programs are the primary driver. The others are professional Development and donations and Philanthropy.
Who are Erikson Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wheelock College (BU Wheelock), Bank Street College of Education and Pacific Oaks College. Regional players are National Louis University and Concordia University Chicago. Broad incumbents are Harvard Graduate School of Education, University of Illinois Chicago College of Education, Columbia University Teachers College and Loyola University Chicago School of Education. Relay Graduate School of Education is listed as an emerging player.
Does Erikson Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Erikson Institute.
What industry is Erikson Institute in?
Erikson Institute's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAFAG, Early Childhood & Elementary Teacher Preparation Programs, with a secondary code of EDACAIAA, Pre-Service ECE Credential Programs (Certificates/Diplomas/Degrees). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.