Allen University
Allen University is a faith-based, SACSCOC-accredited HBCU founded in 1870 in Columbia, SC, serving primarily first-generation, Pell-eligible students from the southeastern US through undergraduate, graduate, and theological programs delivered on-campus and online.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1870
- HeadquartersColumbia, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Allen University does
Allen University is a private, faith-based Historically Black College/University (HBCU) founded in 1870 in Cokesbury, South Carolina and relocated to Columbia in 1880, where it has operated for over 140 years. It is SACSCOC-accredited to award associate through doctoral degrees and serves a primarily first-generation, Pell Grant-eligible student body drawn largely (90%) from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, with additional representation from 34 states and 8 countries. The university delivers instruction through on-campus residential programs in Business, Social Sciences, and Biology, through graduate programs in Religion (Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary), Business (MBA), Sports Management (MSSM), Environmental Science, and Ministry, and through the Levett School of Education. The Boeing Institute on Civility, housed in the renovated Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital, provides civic-discourse programming in honor of Senator Clementa Pinckney.
The institution's technology stack is conventional enterprise higher-ed IT: Jenzabar (v2025.1) powers the MyAllen student information portal for registration, financial aid, and grades; Canvas (Instructure) was launched as the new Learning Management System via QuickLaunch SSO; Cengage Unlimited and OpenStax supply course content; Echo360 provides lecture capture; BioSig-ID handles assessment identity verification; Microsoft 365/Outlook delivers email; Cisco provides telephony; and PowerFAIDS and ScribOrder support financial aid and transcript services. The 2026 academic year introduced a new calendar with a 100% online Winter Session to support student progression.
Allen University's revenue model is multi-stream and characteristic of a private nonprofit HBCU: recurring tuition and fees (the largest stream), Annual Fund donations with tiered donor recognition ($500 to $5,000+), one-time/perpetual UNCF Gala corporate sponsorships ($2,000 to $30,000), federal Title III Part B and FUTURE ACT grants designated for HBCUs supporting physical plant, academics, fiscal affairs, and endowments, plus miscellaneous planned gifts. Marketing is sales-led: recruitment runs through college fairs, high school visits, alumni chapters, and social media targeting the southeastern US. Estimated annual financial impact on the Columbia community exceeds $30 million.
Allen University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Allen University
- Legal name
- Allen University
- Website
- https://allenuniversity.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1870
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Allen University is a faith-based, SACSCOC-accredited HBCU founded in 1870 in Columbia, SC, serving primarily first-generation, Pell-eligible students from the southeastern US through undergraduate, graduate, and theological programs delivered on-campus and online.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Allen University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Nonprofit HBCUs (EDAHAMAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faith-Based & Religious-Affiliated HBCUs (EDAHAMAG), Teaching-Focused & Liberal Arts HBCUs (EDAHAMAF), Historically Black Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAD)
Keywords
Where Allen University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Allen University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate programs including associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees
- Annual Fund Campaign: Unrestricted donations supporting student scholarships, academic resources, athletic programs, and areas of greatest need
- Donations and Gifts: Various gift types including cash, stocks, bonds, life income gifts, bequests, real estate, retirement plan gifts, and matching gifts from employers
- UNCF Gala Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at various tiers (Platinum $30,000, Gold $15,000, Silver $7,500, Bronze $5,000, Table $2,000) for annual fundraising gala
- Federal Grants (Title III): Title III Part B federal assistance for HBCUs supporting physical plant, academics, fiscal affairs, and endowments, plus FUTURE ACT grant funds
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | President's Society - $5,000 and above |
| Subscription | Annual | Richard Allen Society - $3,000 to $4,999 |
| Subscription | Annual | 1870 Society - $500 to $2,999 |
| Subscription | Annual | Blue and Gold Society - Under $500 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Platinum Sponsor - $30,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Gold Sponsor - $15,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Silver Sponsor - $7,500 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bronze Sponsor - $5,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Table - $2,000 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Allen University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Allen University is a private, faith-based Historically Black College/University (HBCU) founded in 1870, offering associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degree programs in fields including Business, Social Sciences, Biology, Education, Religion, Sports Management, and Environmental Science. Educational delivery occurs through traditional on-campus instruction in Columbia, SC, fully online distance programs, and the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary. Ancillary offerings include intercollegiate athletics (AU Yellow Jackets), the Boeing Institute on Civility, and the Flipper Library, all supported by tuition, donations, and federal Title III funding.
Product overview
Allen University is a faith-based Historically Black College/University (HBCU) founded in 1870 in Cokesbury, South Carolina, offering undergraduate and graduate education across multiple colleges and schools. Its product portfolio is centered around the MyAllen Portal (powered by Jenzabar SIS) and the public Allen University Website, which serve as the primary digital platforms for student services, academics, and institutional information. Key academic sub-brands include Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary (offering online Master of Divinity and Master of Arts), the Levett School of Education (Elementary Education with Early Childhood add-on), a Graduate School (MBA, MSSM, Environmental Science), and Online Programs (Criminal Justice, Human Services). Ancillary offerings include the AU Yellow Jackets athletics program, the Boeing Institute on Civility (housed in the renovated Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital), Flipper Library, and the Annual Fund Campaign. The institution is accredited by SACSCOC and has a Financial Responsibility Index score of 2.8.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary: Graduate theological seminary offering Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Studies degrees, including 100% online delivery.
- The Levett School
- Boeing Institute on Civility
Products and services
- Undergraduate Degree Programs Undergraduate academic programs for students seeking bachelor's and associate degrees, with largest areas of study in Business, Social Sciences, and Biology. Programs are delivered through on-campus instruction in Columbia, SC and online formats, targeting first-generation, Pell Grant-eligible students.
- Graduate Programs (MBA, MSSM, Environmental Science)
Quantifiable outcome
- Estimated $30 million+ annual financial impact on Columbia community
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Allen University
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Allen University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
Feature3 records
Allen University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dickerson-Green Theological SeminarycoreDickerson-Green Theological Seminary is an integral part of Allen University offering graduate theological education (Master of Divinity, Master of Religious Studies, Doctor of Ministry). The seminary is housed in the renovated Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital building along with the Institute for Civility and the School of Education. Its mission is to provide high-quality graduate theological education preparing graduates for Christian congregational life and ministry.
- Levett School of EducationcoreThe Levett School of Education is Allen University's teacher education division offering undergraduate and graduate programs in education. Accredited by SACSCOC, the school prepares students for careers in teaching with programs including Elementary Education B.S. and early childhood certification.
- Boeing Institute on CivilitycoreNamed in honor of late Senator Clementa Pinckney (Allen University Class of 1995), the Institute for Civility educates students on peaceful approaches to disagreement and differing viewpoints. The Institute is a permanent memorial to the Emanuel Nine and is housed in the renovated Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital.
- Waverly Wall MuseumminorVisual gallery within the Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital facility showcasing photographs and historic artifacts paying tribute to individuals born in the hospital and medical professionals who served the community. Creates connection between the hospital's significant past and ongoing journey toward an inclusive future.
- ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation)minorAllen University partners with ECMC's Project Success Emergency Aid Program designed to support student persistence toward degree completion by removing unforeseen financial obstacles. The program has no fees charged to the institution.
- UNCF (United Negro College Fund)coreAllen University hosts an annual UNCF Gala as a major fundraising event. The gala offers corporate sponsorship opportunities at various tiers (Platinum $30,000 through Table $2,000) with recognition benefits including premier seating, event promotional materials placement, and social media features.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)coreAllen University is accredited by SACSCOC to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Contact: 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; 404-679-4500
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Allen University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Voorhees University: Private Episcopal-affiliated HBCU in South Carolina offering baccalaureate degrees and serving a similar first-generation, Southeastern student population with comparable scale and tuition dependence.
- Lane College: Private CME-affiliated HBCU in Jackson, TN offering baccalaureate degrees; comparable to Allen in faith-based denomination sponsorship, small enrollment scale, and Pell-eligible student profile.
- Talladega College: Private HBCU in Talladega, AL offering baccalaureate and selected graduate degrees; comparable to Allen in small scale, faith-influenced heritage, and dependence on HBCU federal funding streams.
- Morris College: Private Baptist-affiliated HBCU in Sumter, SC offering baccalaureate degrees; comparable to Allen in size, faith-based mission, reliance on federal financial aid, and Southeastern recruitment footprint.
- LeMoyne-Owen College: Private HBCU in Memphis, TN offering baccalaureate degrees; similar to Allen in small scale, urban setting, reliance on Title III funding, and focus on first-generation college students.
- Paine College: Private Methodist-affiliated HBCU in Augusta, GA offering baccalaureate degrees; closely comparable to Allen as a small, faith-based HBCU dependent on Title III/HBCU federal funding and serving first-generation students in the Southeast.
- Stillman College: Private Presbyterian-affiliated HBCU in Tuscaloosa, AL offering baccalaureate degrees; comparable to Allen in faith affiliation, small enrollment, and Pell-Grant-dependent tuition model.
- Benedict College: Private HBCU located in Columbia, SC, directly comparable to Allen University in size, faith-affiliated mission, reliance on Pell-eligible students, and SACSCOC accreditation offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the same regional market.
- Claflin University: Private HBCU in Orangeburg, SC offering undergraduate and graduate programs including an MBA, with a similar faith-affiliated heritage and comparable tuition-aid-driven revenue model serving first-generation students.
- Wilberforce University: Private AME-affiliated HBCU in Ohio, the historic sister institution to Allen's AME heritage; comparable in faith-based mission, small enrollment scale, and four-year liberal arts offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Allen University social profiles
Digital presenceAllen University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Allen University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Allen University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Allen University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Allen University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Allen 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 Allen University
What does Allen University do?
Allen University is a private, faith-based Historically Black College/University (HBCU) founded in 1870, offering associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degree programs in fields including Business, Social Sciences, Biology, Education, Religion, Sports Management, and Environmental Science. Educational delivery occurs through traditional on-campus instruction in Columbia, SC, fully online distance programs, and the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary. Ancillary offerings include intercollegiate athletics (AU Yellow Jackets), the Boeing Institute on Civility, and the Flipper Library, all supported by tuition, donations, and federal Title III funding.
Is Allen University a public or private company?
Allen University is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Allen University founded?
Allen University was founded in 1870. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Allen University based?
Allen University is headquartered in Columbia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Allen University make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are annual Fund Campaign, donations and Gifts, UNCF Gala Sponsorships and federal Grants (Title III).
Who are Allen University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Voorhees University, Lane College, Talladega College, Morris College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Paine College, Stillman College, Benedict College, Claflin University and Wilberforce University.
Does Allen University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Allen University.
What industry is Allen University in?
Allen University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAMAB, Private Nonprofit HBCUs, with a secondary code of EDAHAMAG, Faith-Based & Religious-Affiliated HBCUs. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.