University Studies Abroad Consortium

What University Studies Abroad Consortium does

University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is a nonprofit study abroad organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 1664 North Virginia St., Reno, Nevada, on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. It serves undergraduate and graduate students from U.S. universities seeking academic-credit study abroad experiences across 26 countries and 50+ programs spanning Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania. USAC operates two distinct program models: Specialty Programs featuring full-time on-site USAC Resident Directors, staff, and USAC-designed curriculum (delivered in 14+ countries including Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Thailand, and Uruguay), and Partnership Programs that leverage host university international offices for delivery (in markets including Australia, England, Israel, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, and Vietnam).

The technology stack centers on the proprietary USAC Student Gateway portal (secure.usac.edu) which manages applications, document submission, scholarship applications, billing/payment processing, and program communications end-to-end. Supporting infrastructure includes BambooHR for human resources, Google Analytics for web analytics, and CISI/International SOS for health insurance, 24/7 medical assistance, and optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage through Travel Insured International. Branded merchandise operates on the Bonfire e-commerce platform, with proceeds directed to scholarships. Content distribution includes the USAC blog, The Study Abroad Pod podcast (English and Spanish, on Buzzsprout and YouTube), and organic social on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The business model is a direct-to-consumer nonprofit fee-for-service model: program fees are charged per student per term, ranging from $3,980 (China summer or India summer) to $19,980 (Scotland St Andrews semester), with tuition, housing, insurance, field trips, visa guidance, and on-site support bundled into the fee. Revenue is supplemented by charitable donations channeled into an annual scholarship, grant, and discount pool exceeding $1.5 million (typical awards $1,000-$2,500, range $500-$5,000, awarded three times per year). Go-to-market combines self-serve online application via the Gateway portal, virtual advising/info sessions, Institutional Relations Officers covering 26 U.S. states at college fairs, and host-university partnership channels abroad. USAC distributes to a horizontal segment of individual U.S. university students without disclosed enterprise anchor customers and has no parent company, subsidiaries, disclosed funding rounds, or M&A activity.

Name

University Studies Abroad Consortium

Legal name

University Studies Abroad Consortium

Website

https://usac.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

University Studies Abroad Consortium is a 1982-founded nonprofit offering study abroad programs to U.S. university students across 26 countries through Specialty (on-site Resident Director) and Partnership (host university) models, with a proprietary Gateway portal and over $1.5 million in annual scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Study Abroad Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Study Abroad Program Management & Administration (for Institutions) (EDAIAAAJ), Articulation & Credit Transfer Partnerships (EDAIABAE), University-Sponsored International Internships & Co-op Placements (EDAIAFAB)

Keywords

• Study abroad programs
• International education
• Educational exchange
• Cultural immersion
• Global education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: USAC generates revenue through program fees charged to students for study abroad programs. Fees vary by program and term, ranging from approximately $3,980 (China summer) to $19,980 (Scotland St Andrews semester). Program fees include tuition, housing, health insurance, field trips, visa guidance, and on-site support.
2. Merchandise Sales: USAC sells branded merchandise including apparel, sweatshirts, and graduation sashes through Bonfire e-commerce platform. All proceeds from merchandise sales fund scholarships for students.
3. Donations: USAC accepts donations through its 'Give Now' program to support scholarships for deserving students. These charitable contributions supplement the scholarship fund of more than $1.5 million distributed annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is a nonprofit organization that delivers study abroad programs for U.S. university students through two models: Specialty Programs staffed by full-time on-site USAC Resident Directors in more than 20 locations, and Partnership Programs delivered in coordination with host universities. Programs are offered across 26 countries in summer, semester, January, and yearlong terms, with all-inclusive fees covering tuition, housing, insurance, field trips, visa guidance, and on-site support.

Product overview

University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is a nonprofit study abroad organization offering two primary program models: Specialty Programs with full-time on-site USAC staff in over 20 locations worldwide, and Partnership Programs with support from host universities. The portfolio includes study abroad experiences across 26 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. Supporting services include the USAC Student Gateway online portal, scholarships and financial aid exceeding $1.5 million annually, health and safety services with insurance through CISI, branded merchandise (with proceeds funding scholarships), and The Study Abroad Pod podcast. Programs range from semester and year-long to summer and January sessions, covering diverse academic disciplines including business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, and foreign languages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.5 million in annual scholarship funding provided to students

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Chiang Mai University (CMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Specialty Program host located at Chiang Mai University's SuanSak campus. CMU is recognized throughout Southeast Asia for high academic standards and hosts international students through USAC's Specialty Program model with full-time USAC Resident Director on site.
• Khon Kaen University (KKU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC offers both Specialty (summer health internship) and Partnership (semester/yearlong) programs at KKU. The International College of KKU (established 2008) offers undergraduate and graduate programs in English. KKU ranks second in Thailand for international education.
• VNUK Institute for Research and Executive EducationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVNUK Institute of the University of Da Nang administers the Vietnam program on-site, providing academic program delivery, mandatory orientation, and student support services for USAC students in Da Nang.
• University of AlicantecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Specialty Program host at University of Alicante. Students study alongside local students with full-time USAC Resident Director. University offers modern campus with extensive sports facilities and is known for Spanish language and Mediterranean studies programs.
• Universidad Rey Juan CarloscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Specialty Program host at Vicálvaro Campus in Madrid. Host institution for USAC Madrid program offering courses in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Yearlong terms with full-time on-site USAC Resident Director.
• Universidad del País VascocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Specialty Program host at Universidad del País Vasco in San Sebastián. Students immerse in Spanish and Basque language and culture with full-time USAC Resident Director and access to university facilities and student organizations.
• Linnaeus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Partnership Program host in Växjö and Kalmar, Sweden. Located in the 'Greenest City in Europe,' Linnaeus University offers courses in English across multiple disciplines including art, business, engineering, and sustainability studies.
• Center for Cross Cultural Learning (CCCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC Specialty Program host in Rabat, Morocco. CCCL is a 30-year private educational institute and cultural center providing Arabic language and Moroccan culture studies for USAC students.
• University of Nevada, RenocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAC is based on the campus of University of Nevada, Reno in Reno, NV. UNR provides office space for USAC Central Office and collaborates on USAC/UNR Study Abroad Advising program with dedicated outreach coordinator and advisors.
• International SOS / CISIcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational SOS provides 24/7 medical assistance, referrals, and support for students abroad. CISI provides health insurance coverage beginning upon departure from the U.S. and administers optional trip protection including Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance through Travel Insured International.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• IES Abroad: IES Abroad is a nonprofit consortium-style study abroad provider offering semester and summer programs in more than 30 locations with its own on-site staff and curriculum. It is structurally and competitively analogous to USAC, serving the same population of U.S. undergraduate students.
• The Arcadia Abroad - College of Global Studies: Arcadia Abroad runs study abroad programs across the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa with strong U.S. institutional partnerships and credit-transfer infrastructure. It directly competes with USAC's Partnership Programs and Institutional Relations channel.
• CEA CAPA Education Abroad: CEA CAPA operates study abroad programs in multiple European and Latin American cities with on-site staff and direct-enrollment options. It overlaps directly with USAC's Specialty Programs in markets like Spain, Italy, France, Ireland, and Costa Rica.
• IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University): IFSA is a nonprofit study abroad provider affiliated with Butler University running programs in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Latin America with strong Institutional Relations infrastructure. It targets the same U.S. university advisor channel as USAC.
• API (Academic Programs International): API provides study abroad programs across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, combining direct-enrollment partnership programs with cohort-based specialty offerings. It competes head-to-head with USAC in markets such as Spain, Italy, France, and Costa Rica.
• ISA (International Studies Abroad) by Worldstrides: ISA, part of Worldstrides, operates semester, summer, and short-term programs globally and is one of the largest U.S.-focused study abroad providers by enrollment. It is a direct competitor across USAC's Specialty/Partnership program types and pricing tiers.
• DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia: DIS is a nonprofit study abroad provider specializing in Denmark and Sweden with strong U.S. enrollment and on-site faculty. It is comparable to USAC's Linnaeus University partnership and European Specialty Programs in delivery model and student demographic.
• SIT Study Abroad / World Learning: SIT is a nonprofit study abroad provider focused on experiential, field-based programs with a global health, development, and environmental studies emphasis. It overlaps with USAC in semester/short-term models and credit-bearing academic delivery through U.S. institutions.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad organization offering semester, summer, and January programs across dozens of countries with both direct-enrollment and CIEE-operated center models. It directly competes with USAC's Specialty and Partnership Programs for the same U.S. university student audience.

Broad incumbents

• AIFS Study Abroad (American Institute For Foreign Study): AIFS is a broader for-profit educational travel organization offering study abroad alongside cultural and faculty-led programs for U.S. students. It overlaps with USAC but also encompasses gap-year, high school, and customized group programs outside USAC's core niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StudyAbroadUSAC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-studies-abroad-consortium-usac-
• Instagraminstagram.com/studyabroadusac
• TikToktiktok.com/@studyabroadusac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 University Studies Abroad Consortium