Rikkyo University

What Rikkyo University does

Rikkyo University is a private higher-education institution founded in 1874 by Bishop Channing Moore Williams of the Episcopal Church, headquartered at 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. It operates two campuses — Ikebukuro in central Tokyo and Niiza in Saitama Prefecture (opened 1990) — and delivers Christian-based liberal-arts education across 12 undergraduate colleges with 28 departments, 10 courses and 1 program, plus 15 graduate schools comprising 27 programs. As of May 2026, the university employs 701 full-time faculty and 314 full-time staff, supported by a 2,000,000+ volume library system and the proprietary Rikkyo Jikan student portfolio tracker and RIKKYO Learning Style framework.

The institution's product portfolio targets two primary customer segments: Japanese domestic students pursuing Japanese-taught undergraduate and graduate degrees, and international students seeking English-taught (PEACE, GLAP, MIB, MPMA, MSDA, TESOL-J) or Japanese-intensive (NEXUS) pathways. Distribution occurs through direct admissions, partner-high-school recommendation agreements, and exchange agreements with 200+ universities worldwide, coordinated by a dedicated International Office with operations at both campuses. Strategic differentiation rests on 150 years of heritage, the registered 'PRO DEO ET PATRIA' brand identity, MEXT's Top Global University designation (2014), exclusive private-university selection for the Inter-University Exchange Project (2021), and the Asian Consortium for Excellence (ACE) partnership with Seoul National University, Peking University, and National University of Singapore.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual tuition and academic fees differentiated by college, program, and student nationality, supplemented by administration of internal and external scholarships. Go-to-market is a hybrid of community-led recruitment (partner high schools, alumni chapters in 30+ countries, exchange networks) and event-driven international outreach (education fairs, agent partnerships, promotional videos across multiple language websites and social channels). Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Rikkyo University

Legal name

Rikkyo University

Website

https://english.rikkyo.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1874

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rikkyo University is a 150-year-old private Christian-based liberal-arts university in Tokyo with two campuses (Ikebukuro and Niiza), offering 12 undergraduate colleges and 15 graduate schools to Japanese and international students through Japanese- and English-taught programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International & Global Research Universities (Multi-Campus/International Footprint) (EDAHABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Liberal arts programs
• International student programs
• Graduate degree programs
• University exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toshima

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with different fee structures for Japanese and international students. Fee schedules are published annually for each academic year.
2. Scholarship Administration: The university administers both internal scholarships funded by Rikkyo and external scholarships from government and foundations, disbursing financial support to international and domestic students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Rikkyo University is a private higher education institution that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 12 undergraduate colleges and 15 graduate schools in liberal arts, sciences, business, law, social sciences, tourism, psychology, sport and wellness, environmental studies, and artificial intelligence. It serves both Japanese domestic students through Japanese-taught curricula and international students via English-taught programs (PEACE, NEXUS, GLAP, MIB, MPMA, MSDA), complemented by student exchange programs with 200+ partner institutions and short-term Japanese language programs.

Product overview

Rikkyo University offers a portfolio of educational programs and student services for domestic and international students. The undergraduate offerings include the PEACE Program and NEXUS Program for international students, alongside the Global Liberal Arts Program (GLAP) and Dual Language Pathway (DLP). Graduate programs include the Master in International Business (MIB), Master of Public Management and Administration (MPMA), and Master of Social Development and Administration (MSDA), all conducted in English. The university also operates specialized graduate schools including the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence and Science, focusing on AI and data science. Student support services include Global Lounge facilities at both campuses, a prayer room, and international exchange dormitories. Non-degree programs include student exchange and short-term Japanese language programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PEACE Program Undergraduate degree program for international students conducted entirely in English, with three majors: Intercultural Communication for Global Leadership, Global Liberal Arts Program, and International Business Law. Open through both general entrance and recommendation entrance routes.
• NEXUS Program Undergraduate program for international students from designated partner high schools who study specialized undergraduate courses in Japanese, beginning with intensive Japanese language training in the first semester followed by specialized courses from the second semester onwards.
• Global Liberal Arts Program (GLAP) Four-year undergraduate program enabling students to earn a bachelor's degree taught entirely in English, with liberal arts education encouraging students to pursue their own academic interests and expand horizons through interdisciplinary learning.
• Dual Language Pathway (DLP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Selected as Top Global University (Global Traction Type) by MEXT in 2014
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Seoul National UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2021Founding member of the Asian Consortium for Excellence in Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Education (ACE) for the MEXT Inter-University Exchange Project. Jointly develops ALIS (Asian Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies) minor program, C6ubic Curriculum, and long-term exchange programs.
• Peking UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2021Founding member of the Asian Consortium for Excellence in Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Education (ACE) for the MEXT Inter-University Exchange Project. Students can study at Peking University as part of the exchange program and take joint online courses.
• National University of SingaporeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2021Founding member of the Asian Consortium for Excellence in Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Education (ACE) for the MEXT Inter-University Exchange Project. Partners on intensive summer/winter programs and internship opportunities in Singapore.
• Edith Cowan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research in sport and wellness studies; conducts collaborative workshops and student exchange in sports science.
• 200+ Partner Institutions WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExchange agreements with over 200 universities globally for student exchange programs, enabling mutual student mobility and academic collaboration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Christian University (ICU): Faith-affiliated private Japanese university where English is the primary language of instruction across all undergraduate programs. Highly comparable on faith-based liberal arts identity and English-medium degree strategy.
• Keio University: Elite Japanese private university with Peers (English-taught undergraduate program), Shonan Fujisawa Campus, and global partnerships. Comparable peer for private Japanese research universities competing for top domestic and international students.
• Sophia University: Jesuit-affiliated private Tokyo university with strong international focus, English-taught programs (GCP, EAP), and significant international student enrollment. Closest direct peer given Christian heritage and internationalization depth.
• Waseda University: One of Japan's top private research universities with strong international student programs, English-taught degrees (SILs, AYSPS), and extensive global exchange partnerships. Directly comparable in scale, private status, and internationalization strategy to Rikkyo.
• Meiji University: Major Tokyo-based private university expanding international programs and global partnerships. Comparable in scale, private status, and growing emphasis on international student recruitment.
• Hosei University: Large Tokyo-based private university with multiple campuses, growing international programs, and English-taught offerings (GIS, IBBA). Comparable mid-tier private Japanese university peer.
• Doshisha University: Christian-affiliated private university in Kyoto with strong liberal arts heritage and growing global programs. Comparable peer on faith-based identity and private research university positioning.

Emerging players

• Akita International University: Public Japanese university where all undergraduate courses are taught in English with liberal arts focus. Comparable as a niche English-medium liberal arts competitor for international students, though smaller and public-sector.

Regional players

• Temple University Japan: Branch campus of US-based Temple University located in Tokyo offering American undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely in English. Competes with Rikkyo for English-medium degree-seeking international students in Tokyo.

Broad incumbents

• Hitotsubashi University: Elite Japanese national university specializing in social sciences with growing international programs (HITOTSU Global). Comparable as a peer institution competing for top-tier international students in Tokyo region, though national rather than private.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rikkyouniv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RikkyoPR
• Facebookfacebook.com/rikkyouniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/rikkyouniv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Rikkyo University