South University
South University is a private, SACSCOC-accredited higher education institution founded in 1899, operating 11 campuses across the southeastern US and online, serving more than 10,000 students with associate-through-doctoral programs concentrated in nursing, healthcare, and business for working adult learners and traditional undergraduates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1899
- HeadquartersSavannah, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What South University does
South University is a private higher education institution founded in 1899 and headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. It operates 11 ground campuses across seven southeastern states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, and Texas) and serves more than 10,000 students through a portfolio of academic programs spanning eight divisions: Business and Technology, Counseling and Psychology, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Healthcare, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Administration, Public Health, and Ministry. Programs range from associate to doctoral levels, with credential pathways specifically designed for working adult learners, including RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, and accelerated specialty tracks.
The institution delivers instruction through three modalities: traditional on-campus instruction at its physical locations, a proprietary synchronous virtual classroom platform called SouthVR (South Virtual Remote) that replicates the live classroom experience remotely, and fully asynchronous online programs (South University Online / SUO) with rolling five-week start dates. The university's healthcare and nursing offerings dominate the portfolio and are the primary growth engine, evidenced by NCLEX-RN pass rates of 100% at the Orlando and Savannah campuses (2025) and strong performance at other locations, plus planned expansion of a physician assistant program at High Point, NC in 2027. South University is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC and programmatically accredited by CCNE for nursing.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, billed quarterly, with program-specific pricing published via cost-of-attendance PDFs rather than a single aggregate rate. Financial aid, federal grants, institutional scholarships (Student Success Grant, 1899 Grant, Alumni Grant, Path to Graduation Grant, International Scholarship, Military Benefits), and dedicated admissions pathways for international (F-1) and military-affiliated students support enrollment. The go-to-market motion combines enterprise-style field admissions (campus-based representatives, centralized call centers), inside sales via phone and web "Request Info" forms, direct-to-consumer digital marketing across web, social (six platforms), SEO, and event-driven recruitment through open houses and community engagement. No parent company, private equity, or institutional investment is evidenced. Benjamin J. DeGweck has served as CEO and Chancellor since October 31, 2025.
South University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- South University
- Legal name
- South University
- Website
- https://southuniversity.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1899
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- South University is a private, SACSCOC-accredited higher education institution founded in 1899, operating 11 campuses across the southeastern US and online, serving more than 10,000 students with associate-through-doctoral programs concentrated in nursing, healthcare, and business for working adult learners and traditional undergraduates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
South University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where South University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Savannah
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
South University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: South University generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged to enrolled students across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Tuition varies by program and delivery format (campus vs. online). Financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available to qualifying students.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Quarterly | Program-specific tuition; costs vary by degree level, delivery format (campus vs. online), and program area (e.g., nursing vs. business). |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
South University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
South University is a private higher education institution offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across healthcare, nursing, business, technology, counseling, criminal justice, pharmacy, public administration, public health, and ministry disciplines. Instruction is delivered through 11 physical ground campuses across the southeastern United States, a synchronous virtual classroom called SouthVR, and fully asynchronous online programs with five-week rolling start dates.
Product overview
South University is a private higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across 11 physical campuses and online. The institution operates as a multi-program university with eight academic divisions: Business & Technology, Counseling & Psychology, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies, Healthcare, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Administration, Public Health, and Ministry. Programs range from associate degrees to doctoral degrees, with delivery options including on-campus, SouthVR (synchronous virtual), and fully online asynchronous formats. The university's healthcare programs (including nursing, physician assistant, and allied health) represent a significant portion of offerings, complemented by business, criminal justice, psychology, and public health programs. South University's product portfolio is structured as a traditional university with multiple academic schools/colleges offering degree programs across various disciplines, with flexible learning formats to accommodate working professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Business & Technology Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: Orlando campus achieved 100% for the third consecutive year (2025); Savannah achieved 100%; West Palm Beach achieved 96.88%; Tampa achieved 91.67%
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use South University
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
South University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
South University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Calvary Community CliniccoreSouth University Tampa PAs collaborated with Calvary Community Clinic to secure life-saving cancer treatment for an uninsured patient diagnosed with B-cell Leukemia. The partnership leveraged both organizations' networks to connect the patient with Moffitt Cancer Center for chemotherapy treatment, resulting in the patient's remission.
- Moffitt Cancer CentercoreMoffitt Cancer Center received a referred cancer patient from South University Tampa PAs and Calvary Community Clinic's collaborative effort. The patient received chemotherapy and achieved remission. This represents a clinical care network partnership for patient referrals.
- Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach CountyminorSouth University, West Palm Beach was recognized by the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County at the 30th Annual Giraffe Awards, demonstrating community engagement and commitment to women's empowerment in Palm Beach County.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
South University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Strayer University: Strayer is a long-established for-profit university serving adult learners through physical campuses plus a large online program, with degree offerings spanning business, IT, criminal justice, and healthcare — directly comparable to South University's adult-learner model.
- ECPI University: ECPI is a private career-oriented university with a strong emphasis on healthcare, nursing and technology programs across multiple Southeast campuses, closely mirroring South University's program mix and regional footprint.
- Chamberlain University: Chamberlain is a for-profit nursing and healthcare-focused university offering BSN, MSN, DNP and similar programs across multiple U.S. campuses plus online, making it the closest direct competitor to South University's healthcare-heavy portfolio.
- Herzing University: Herzing is a private, nonprofit institution with multiple U.S. campuses and a strong nursing/healthcare focus plus online programs, structurally similar to South University in modality mix and program emphasis.
- Walden University: Walden is an online-focused for-profit university with a strong doctoral and graduate portfolio in nursing, public health, counseling, and healthcare administration, overlapping heavily with South University's graduate-level offerings.
- Capella University: Capella is an online-focused for-profit university with strong graduate and doctoral offerings in nursing, public health, business, and counseling, directly comparable to South University's online graduate catalog.
- Keiser University: Keiser is a Florida-based private university with multiple campuses offering associate through doctoral degrees with a heavy concentration in nursing and allied health, making it a regional direct competitor to South University in the Southeast.
- Rasmussen University: Rasmussen is a private university with multiple Midwest/Southeast campuses and a heavy concentration in nursing and allied-health programs, closely comparable to South University's program structure and delivery model.
Broad incumbents
- Grand Canyon University: GCU is one of the largest for-profit universities in the U.S., offering a far broader program catalog (including nursing) at scale; it competes with South University for adult learners but is materially larger and broader in scope.
- Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is a large nonprofit institution known for its online and adult-learner programs across business, nursing, and healthcare, competing with South University's South University Online channel at scale and lower cost.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
South University social profiles
Digital presenceSouth University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
South University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
South University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
South University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
South 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 South University
What does South University do?
South University is a private higher education institution offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs across healthcare, nursing, business, technology, counseling, criminal justice, pharmacy, public administration, public health, and ministry disciplines. Instruction is delivered through 11 physical ground campuses across the southeastern United States, a synchronous virtual classroom called SouthVR, and fully asynchronous online programs with five-week rolling start dates.
Is South University a public or private company?
South University is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was South University founded?
South University was founded in 1899. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is South University based?
South University is headquartered in Savannah, United States, in the North America region.
How does South University make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Fees.
Who are South University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Strayer University, ECPI University, Chamberlain University, Herzing University, Walden University, Capella University, Keiser University and Rasmussen University. Broad incumbents are Grand Canyon University and Southern New Hampshire University.
Does South University have an API?
No public API is recorded for South University.
What industry is South University in?
South University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.