American University of Armenia

What American University of Armenia does

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university founded in 1991 in Yerevan, Armenia, and the only institution in the country accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. It is affiliated with the University of California system and operates through four colleges — Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, and Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences — offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate degree programs. AUA runs 14+ integrated research centers and programs spanning environment (Acopian Center), rural development (Turpanjian Rural Development Program), health services research, business research, applied linguistics, journalism (Center for Excellence in Journalism and AUA Media Lab, funded by USAID/ASHA), social sciences, and entrepreneurship incubation (EPIC).

The university operates on a tuition-based revenue model supplemented by philanthropic donations, external grants, and family-foundation funding (notably the Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation). It serves individual student consumers — undergraduate and graduate degree-seekers, lifelong learners through AUA Extension, and specialized audiences such as rural healthcare entrepreneurs via the Entrepreneurs in Health (EIH) program — across Armenia, the Javakhk region of Georgia, and a U.S. diaspora fundraising presence in Glendale, California. Its technology stack centers on the Jenzabar SONIS student information system, learning management systems, and media lab infrastructure supported by the AGBU Papazian Library, which holds over 31,000 volumes, 395,000+ e-books, and 87,000+ e-journals. Reported graduate and undergraduate employment outcomes within three months of graduation were 93.1% and 85.5% respectively in the 2025 alumni survey.

Name

American University of Armenia

Legal name

American University of Armenia

Website

https://aua.am

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AUA is a private, WASC-accredited university in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, offering undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs across four colleges plus 14+ research centers serving students, rural communities, and diaspora donors across Armenia, Georgia, and the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Bilateral Exchange Agreements (Reciprocal Student Mobility) (EDAIABAA), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Inclusive Education (Disability, Gender Equity, Marginalized Learners) (BPADAKAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Research centers
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Yerevan

HQ country

Armenia

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university that delivers Western-style higher education through undergraduate, graduate, and certificate degree programs across four colleges: Business and Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Health Sciences. The university also conducts applied research through multiple centers, runs professional development and language courses through AUA Extension, and operates rural development and entrepreneurship programs in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk.

Product overview

The American University of Armenia is a private university offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services through four colleges: the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Zaven P. & Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, and the Gerald & Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences. These colleges collectively offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs, graduate certificates, and continuing education through AUA Extension. The university operates numerous research centers including the Acopian Center for the Environment, the Turpanjian Rural Development Program, the Entrepreneurs in Health Program, the Center for Excellence in Journalism, and the Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC), which work alongside its academic colleges to promote interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and economic development. Additional facilities include the AGBU Papazian Library with extensive digital resources, the AUA Media Lab, and various specialized institutes and centers addressing areas from health services research to applied linguistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Graduate business degree program within the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics; reports 100% employment rate among graduates and is open to professionals seeking advanced business education.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Undergraduate degree program in computer science within the Zaven P. & Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, with an 88.8% graduate employment rate.
• Bachelor of Science in Data Science Undergraduate degree program in data science within the Zaven P. & Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, with a 96.7% graduate employment rate.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Undergraduate nursing degree within the Gerald & Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, with an 88.9% employment rate among graduates.
• Master of Public Health Graduate public health degree within the Gerald & Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, reporting a 100% employment rate among graduates.
• Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice Graduate degree program within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences focusing on human rights and social justice, with a 100% employment rate among graduates.
• Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (MSCBE) One of AUA's four colleges offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business and economics, including an MBA program and joint research activities with the FREE Network.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences One of AUA's four colleges offering programs in humanities and social sciences including political science, international affairs, English and communications, legal studies, journalism, and applied linguistics.
• Zaven P. & Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering One of AUA's four colleges offering undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science, data science, engineering, and related technical fields.
• Gerald & Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences One of AUA's four colleges focused on public health, nursing, health services research, and healthcare delivery and management, including the Entrepreneurs in Health program supporting rural healthcare entrepreneurs.
• AUA Extension Lifelong learning and professional development program offering language classes, exam preparation programs, and professional development courses to the broader community and corporate clients.
• Acopian Center for the Environment Research center promoting protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach, focusing on sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection, and sustainable energy.
• Turpanjian Rural Development Program (TRDP) Program supporting rural development in Armenia through business development training, technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs, and support for new business creation in regions including Vayots Dzor, Tavush, Shirak, and Artsakh.
• Entrepreneurs in Health (EIH) Program Program under the Turpanjian College of Health Sciences improving access to quality health services in rural communities through advanced technologies and innovative approaches supporting healthcare professionals.
• Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC) Platform for promoting entrepreneurial education, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and startup venture incubation at AUA.
• Center for Excellence in Journalism Center providing journalism education and training, including the Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism program and the AUA Media Lab.
• AUA Media Lab State-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge equipment and tools for media intervention and journalism training, funded by USAID/ASHA.
• AGBU Papazian Library University library with over 31,000 volumes, 395,000+ e-books, and access to approximately 87,000+ e-journals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93.1% graduate employment rate within 3 months of graduation
• +1 more outcomes

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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shengavit Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026MoU signed between AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian and Shengavit Medical Center CEO Alexander Urumyan to advance medical education, clinical training, and preparation of future healthcare professionals.
• FREE Network (Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026AUA Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics joined the FREE Network. Partner institutions include Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), Belarusian Economic Research and Outreach Center, Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy, Centre for Economic Analysis, ISET Policy Institute, and Kyiv School of Economics.
• Dartmouth CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026International partner institution for Fulbright Program. Dartmouth students and alumni conduct English teaching assistantships and research at AUA on various projects including public health, neuroscience, and international relations.
• European Research Institutions (STREACS Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026AUA leads the EU-funded STREACS initiative to enhance Armenia's research capacity in energy transition and align it with European standards. Involves collaboration with European research institutions, capacity building, and practical multidisciplinary research.
• Swedish InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Jointly awarded a two-year funding for the project 'Closing Gender Gaps Through Economics Research in Armenia' to enhance research capacity in gender economics at AUA.
• Ministry of Health of the Republic of ArmeniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCHS serves as key institutional partner to Ministry of Health during 2026 rollout of universal health coverage. Conducts Communications Diagnostics and evaluates implementation through rapid appraisal activities.
• University of CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUA is affiliated with the University of California system, providing academic oversight and connection to U.S. higher education standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European University at St. Petersburg: Private, Western-model post-Soviet university offering social science and humanities programs. Comparable as a private post-Soviet university with Western affiliations and a research/extension-driven model.
• Nazarbayev University: Western-style research university in Astana, Kazakhstan launched with strong government and international partner backing. Highly comparable as a private, internationally-affiliated post-Soviet university competing for the same regional talent pool.
• American University of Central Asia (AUCA): A private, US-accredited-style university in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan founded in the post-Soviet era with similar Western-model positioning. Directly comparable as a US-curriculum private university serving a post-Soviet emerging market with development-program funding.
• Al Akhawayn University: Moroccan private university modeled on the American liberal arts system with English-language instruction. Comparable as a US-style private university in an emerging market with similar international faculty and exchange programs.
• University of Central Asia: Aga Khan-founded multi-campus private university with campuses across Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Comparable as an international, English-language private university with a strong development-program mission in Central Asia.

Emerging players

• BRAC University: Large Bangladeshi private university affiliated with the BRAC development organization with extension, research, and entrepreneurship programs. Comparable as a private emerging-market university combining degree programs with social development programs.

Broad incumbents

• American University of Beirut (AUB): Long-established American-style university in the Middle East with US accreditation and a global research profile. Comparable as a regionally dominant US-model private university operating in a fragile neighborhood, though at much larger scale.
• American University in Cairo (AUC): Large private US-accredited university in Egypt offering liberal arts and professional programs. Comparable as a US-model English-language university serving a regional emerging market with strong employer brand.
• American University of Sharjah: Leading private US-style university in the Gulf offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable as an American-model English-language private university in a regional emerging market, though at substantially larger scale.

Regional players

• Tbilisi State University: Georgia's oldest and largest public university, the primary academic competitor for students in the South Caucasus region. Comparable as the main regional higher education competitor drawing students who might otherwise consider AUA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/auatweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/auauploads
• Facebookfacebook.com/auarmenia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/american-university-of-armenia
• Instagraminstagram.com/aua_insta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American University of Armenia