Ripon College
Ripon College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1851 in Ripon, Wisconsin, serving 700+ undergraduates and graduate students through 80+ areas of study, NCAA Division III athletics, and a residential campus experience, with revenue derived from tuition, auxiliary services, and philanthropic giving.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1851
- HeadquartersRipon, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ripon College does
Ripon College is a private, nonprofit undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college founded in 1851 in Ripon, Wisconsin, operating from a single 250-acre residential campus with 26 buildings (10 on the National Register of Historic Places). The institution enrolls 700+ undergraduates and offers more than 80 areas of study, including majors, minors, and pre-professional programs, supplemented by graduate programs such as the Master of Exercise Science in a 4+1 direct-entry format and the Master of Science in Nursing Direct Entry pathway. Its academic model centers on small class sizes, a five-course Catalyst experiential learning curriculum, a Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, NCAA Division III athletics (18 varsity Red Hawks teams), and study abroad opportunities including a Barcelona program, with 97% of undergraduates living on campus.
The college's supporting infrastructure includes Lane Library & Archives, the newly added Franzen Science Center for STEM education, the $23.5 million Willmore Center fitness and wellness facility (open to the community), the 130-acre Ceresco Prairie Conservancy, and an Esports program. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed but derive primarily from tuition, room and board, auxiliary services, and philanthropic giving; the Forever Ripon campaign raised $120.3 million with 645 members of the 1851 Club leadership giving society. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds one of only 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters in the United States, and is led by Victoria N. Folse, the 14th and first female president (since July 2022).
Go-to-market relies on direct admissions channels including the Common Application, on-campus visits and summer open houses, a regional tuition initiative called The Ripon Commitment (covering WI, IL, IA, MI, and MN residents via need- and merit-based pathways), international student recruitment, and athletics recruiting, supported by a multi-channel digital presence across website, YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Zeemee, plus alumni engagement through R Connections, Alumni Weekend, and annual giving campaigns.
Ripon College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ripon College
- Legal name
- Ripon College
- Website
- https://ripon.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1851
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Ripon College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1851 in Ripon, Wisconsin, serving 700+ undergraduates and graduate students through 80+ areas of study, NCAA Division III athletics, and a residential campus experience, with revenue derived from tuition, auxiliary services, and philanthropic giving.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ripon College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Portfolio, Capstone & Project-Based Program Support (EDAMAKAD)
Keywords
Where Ripon College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ripon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ripon College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Annual | The Ripon Commitment - Need-based pathway |
| Hybrid | Annual | The Ripon Commitment - Merit-based pathway |
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels14 records
Ripon College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ripon College is a private liberal arts institution delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in more than 80 areas of study, supplemented by NCAA Division III athletics, study abroad, and experiential learning such as the Catalyst Curriculum. The college provides a residential campus experience with associated academic resources including Lane Library, the Franzen Science Center, and the Willmore Center wellness facility.
Product overview
Ripon College is a private liberal arts institution offering a comprehensive educational portfolio centered on undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The college provides more than 80 undergraduate areas of study through its liberal arts curriculum, supplemented by graduate programs including Master of Exercise Science (4+1 direct-entry) and MSN Direct Entry options. Key offerings include experiential learning programs (SOAR, Catalyst Curriculum), study abroad opportunities in Barcelona, NCAA Division III athletics (Red Hawks - 18 teams), and the Willmore Center fitness facility ($23.5M). The institution operates Lane Library, the Franzen Science Center for STEM education, and offers summer courses and esports. All offerings are integrated through the college's residential campus environment and strategic plan (RC175) for its 175th anniversary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Undergraduate Programs Liberal arts undergraduate education offering more than 80 areas of study, including majors, minors, and pre-professional programs leading to bachelor's degrees for traditional students and transfer applicants.
- Graduate Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Zippia named Ripon College #1 in Wisconsin for highest mean wages 10 years after graduation
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ripon College
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ripon College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ripon College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Associated Colleges of the MidwestcoreRipon College is one of fourteen colleges working together to strengthen liberal arts education through collaborative programs, shared resources, and institutional partnerships among Midwest liberal arts colleges.
- Midwest ConferencecoreNCAA Division III athletic conference affiliation with almost half of Ripon students participating in the college's 18 varsity athletics teams.
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)coreAccrediting body for Ripon College's academic programs and institutional operations.
- Phi Beta KappacoreRipon College hosts one of only 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters in the country, the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.
- Heidel House (Green Lake)minorPreferred hotel partner offering room blocks for Alumni Weekend events, providing discounted lodging for returning alumni and guests.
- Cobblestone Inn and Suites (Ripon)minorPreferred hotel partner in Ripon offering dedicated room blocks and rates for Alumni Weekend attendees.
- Mapes Hotel (Ripon)minorPreferred hotel partner in Ripon offering discounted rates for Alumni Weekend with promotional code access.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Ripon College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lake Forest College: Private residential liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois with NCAA Division III athletics (Midwest Conference). Directly comparable in mission, scale, and Midwest Conference peer-set.
- Carthage College: Private liberal arts college in Kenosha, Wisconsin affiliated with the Lutheran tradition. Comparable undergraduate scale, NCAA Division III athletics, and Midwest liberal arts positioning.
- Grinnell College: Highly selective private residential liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa. Same five-state Midwest recruitment footprint, Phi Beta Kappa chapter, similar small-college liberal arts ethos.
- St. Norbert College: Private Catholic liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Similar residential scale (~2,000 students), Midwest Conference peer, comparable Midwest recruitment geography.
- Beloit College: Private residential liberal arts college in Beloit, Wisconsin. Comparable size (~1,100 students), Wisconsin-based, similar Midwest Conference athletics footprint and liberal arts curriculum structure.
- Illinois Wesleyan University: Private residential liberal arts university in Bloomington, Illinois. Directly comparable in size, NCAA Division III athletics, liberal arts curriculum, and recent leadership connection (Ripon president Folse's previous institution).
- Knox College: Private residential liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois. Similar scale (~1,100 students), Midwest Conference athletics membership, comparable small-college liberal arts model.
- Lawrence University: Private residential liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisconsin with a conservatory of music. Closest direct peer — same state, similar small-college scale (~1,500 students), Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and Midwest liberal arts positioning.
- Hanover College: Private liberal arts college in Hanover, Indiana and former employer of Ripon's current VP/Director of Athletics. Comparable residential scale, NCAA Division III athletics, and Midwest liberal arts positioning.
- Carroll University: Private university in Waukesha, Wisconsin with liberal arts roots and growing graduate/health sciences programs. Comparable scale and Wisconsin market overlap, with a broader graduate program mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ripon College social profiles
Digital presenceRipon College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ripon College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ripon College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Ripon College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ripon College 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 Ripon College
What does Ripon College do?
Ripon College is a private liberal arts institution delivering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in more than 80 areas of study, supplemented by NCAA Division III athletics, study abroad, and experiential learning such as the Catalyst Curriculum. The college provides a residential campus experience with associated academic resources including Lane Library, the Franzen Science Center, and the Willmore Center wellness facility.
Is Ripon College a public or private company?
Ripon College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ripon College founded?
Ripon College was founded in 1851. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Ripon College based?
Ripon College is headquartered in Ripon, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Ripon College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lake Forest College, Carthage College, Grinnell College, St. Norbert College, Beloit College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Knox College, Lawrence University, Hanover College and Carroll University.
Does Ripon College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ripon College.
What industry is Ripon College in?
Ripon College's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAH, Residential Liberal Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAMAKAD, Portfolio, Capstone & Project-Based Program Support. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.