Paul Quinn College

What Paul Quinn College does

Paul Quinn College is a private, nonprofit Historically Black College and University (HBCU) founded in 1872 in Dallas, Texas, operating a 146-acre campus and positioning itself as America's first Urban Work College and Texas' oldest HBCU. The institution is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is led by Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, the longest-serving president in its 153-year history. It offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration (with concentrations including a Dallas Mavericks Sports Management track and the LISTEN program), Liberal Arts, Health & Wellness, Data Science, Legal Studies & Criminology, Religious Studies, and Path to Teacher Certification, plus an executive MBA in partnership with T.D. Jakes.

The college's product portfolio is anchored by its proprietary Urban Work College Model, which integrates mandatory corporate internships with academic coursework. Distinctive programs include the WE Over Me Farm (an urban farm built in partnership with PepsiCo on the former football field), the Village Program (extending admission to family members of qualifying Pell Grant students), the PQCx credentialing/upskilling program, an Honors College, a mandatory Summer Bridge program, and the Quinnite School Network — a wholly-owned subsidiary operating secondary schools on campus with Dallas ISD and KIPP. The underlying technology stack is standard educational SaaS: Canvas LMS, Ellucian Cloud, Microsoft 365, and National Student Clearinghouse.

Paul Quinn generates revenue primarily from tuition and fees, Title IV federal student aid (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), employer-funded tuition benefits delivered through the Guild Education network (first HBCU to join, in 2023, with partners including Target, Chipotle, Lowe's, Discover, Macy's, JPMorgan Chase, Fidelity, and Wells Fargo), corporate internship partnerships (JP Morgan Chase, Oncor, Capital One), and philanthropic donations through the PQC National Alumni Association. Pricing signals include free applications, a $200 non-refundable registration deposit, and $15.25 per official transcript, with no public revenue disclosure.

Name

Paul Quinn College

Legal name

Paul Quinn College

Website

https://paulquinn.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Paul Quinn College is a private, nonprofit HBCU in Dallas, Texas, and America's first Urban Work College, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs that integrate corporate internships with academics to reduce student debt. It serves traditional freshmen, transfer, international, and working-adult students via Guild Education employer partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Private HBCU)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Nonprofit HBCUs (EDAHAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Religious-Affiliated HBCUs (EDAHAMAG), Online & Distance-Learning HBCUs (EDAHAMAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Work-integrated learning
• Continuing education credentials
• Urban work college

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition, fees, and educational services. The college offers need-based financial aid and maintains a commitment to reducing student debt.
2. Title IV Federal Student Aid: The institution participates in federal financial aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and other Title IV programs.
3. Corporate Partnership Revenue: Revenue through Guild Education partnership where corporations fund employee education. Corporate partners provide tuition benefits directly to Paul Quinn.
4. Alumni Donations: Philanthropic contributions from alumni and supporters. The college actively pursues fundraising through its national alumni association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Paul Quinn College is a private nonprofit HBCU that delivers accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs alongside the proprietary Urban Work College Model, which integrates corporate internship work experience with academic coursework. It serves prospective and current students through in-person and online programs, scholarship and credentialing pathways, and employer-sponsored tuition benefits delivered via the Guild Education partnership.

Product overview

Paul Quinn College is America's first Urban Work College and Texas' oldest Historically Black College (HBCU), offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and services centered on its 'WE Over Me' philosophy. The institution provides undergraduate degree programs in Business Administration (with concentrations including Accounting, Banking and Finance, Entrepreneurship, Management, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Sports Management), Liberal Arts, Health & Wellness, Data Science, Legal Studies & Criminology, Religious Studies, and Path to Teacher Certification. Graduate education includes the T.D. Jakes Master of Business Administration. Beyond traditional degrees, Paul Quinn offers the PQCx credentialing/upskilling program for professional certifications, the Summer Bridge transition program, an Honors College with cohort-based learning, and the Village Program extending admission to family members of Pell Grant students. The institution's distinctive Urban Work College Model integrates corporate internships with academic study, while the WE/Me Farm provides experiential learning. Partnerships with Guild Education enable employer-sponsored education benefits, and the College maintains study abroad, prestigious scholarship programs, and a Duke-based mentoring program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WE Over Me: The college's institutional motto and movement emphasizing community over individual ('WE Over Me'). Used as a branding mark and identity.
• Quinnite Nation

Products and services

• Business Administration (BA)
• Liberal Arts (BA/BS)
• Health & Wellness (BS)
• Data Science (BA)
• Legal Studies & Criminology (BA)
• Path to Teacher Certification (BA/BS)
• Religious Studies (BA)
• T.D. Jakes Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• PQCx
• Presidential Scholars Program
• Paul Quinn Scholars Program
• Summer Bridge Program
• Honors College
• The Village Program
• Study Abroad Program
• Guild Education Partnership Program
• Duke North Texas Alumni Association / Paul Quinn Mentoring Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduation rates improved by more than 30%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Guild EducationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaul Quinn College became the first HBCU to join the Guild Education network, providing access to education benefits for employees of major corporations. Guild connects Paul Quinn with millions of workers at companies including Target, Chipotle, Low's, and Discover Financial Services. This partnership enables working adults to pursue debt-free degrees through employer tuition benefits.
• JPMorgan ChasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner providing internship opportunities for Paul Quinn students through the Urban Work College program. Part of the Advancing Black Pathways initiative with President Sorrell serving on the advisory board.
• PepsiCocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Paul Quinn to transform the former football field into the WE over Me Farm, an urban agriculture initiative. PepsiCo also provides full tuition pay benefits for employees through the Guild Education partnership.
• OncorsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing real-world work experience opportunities for students through the Urban Work College internship program.
• Capital OnesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing internship and career opportunities for Paul Quinn students through the Urban Work College model.
• Dallas MaverickssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDallas Mavericks Major in Sports Management - specialized degree concentration offered through the Business Administration program, developed in partnership with the NBA team.
• TargetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner providing full tuition pay benefits for Target employees pursuing degrees at Paul Quinn College.
• ChipotlecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner offering full tuition pay for Chipotle employees seeking bachelor's degrees from Paul Quinn College.
• Lowe'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner providing tuition benefits for Lowe's employees pursuing education at Paul Quinn College.
• Discover Financial ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner offering full tuition pay for Discover employees seeking degrees.
• Macy's Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner providing full tuition pay benefits for Macy's employees.
• T.D. JakessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe T.D. Jakes Master of Business Administration (MBA) program - an executive MBA offered in collaboration with the T.D. Jakes organization.
• College TracksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident Sorrell serves as trustee for College Track, an organization focused on helping students from underserved communities earn college degrees.
• KIPP Charter SchoolssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open secondary schools on the Paul Quinn College campus, expanding educational opportunities in the Dallas community.
• Dallas Independent School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dallas ISD to open secondary schools on the PQC campus, creating educational pathways for local students.
• Fidelity InvestmentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner offering full tuition pay plus $5,250/year additional benefits for Fidelity employees.
• Baylor Scott & White HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGuild Education partner providing $5,250/year tuition benefits for Baylor Scott & White employees.
• Wells FargocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTanya E. Sanders, EVP Chief Administrative Officer for Consumer Lending at Wells Fargo, serves on the Board of Trustees.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Philander Smith University: Private HBCU in Little Rock, AR, similarly affiliated with the United Methodist Church; comparable in size, faith heritage, and Pell-eligible student profile.
• Benedict College: Private HBCU in Columbia, SC, with similar degree portfolio, religious affiliation, and small-campus operating economics; competes for the same traditional HBCU applicant pool.
• LeMoyne-Owen College: Private HBCU in Memphis, TN, affiliated with the United Methodist Church/United Negro College Fund; one of the closest comparables in scale, faith heritage, and small-tuition-dependent operating economics.
• Dillard University: Private HBCU in New Orleans with comparable enrollment scale, faith heritage, and undergraduate liberal-arts/professional degree mix.
• Lane College: Small private HBCU affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; directly comparable scale, faith-based heritage, and rural-Southern small-college operating model.
• Morehouse College: Private nonprofit men's HBCU offering undergraduate degrees; comparable in HBCU identity, faith-affiliated heritage, and small private-college operating model, though much larger in enrollment and endowment.
• Spelman College: Private nonprofit HBCU liberal arts college in Atlanta; comparable as a small, prestigious HBCU with faith roots and a focus on undergraduate education outcomes.
• Edward Waters University: Private HBCU in Jacksonville, FL; small enrollment, recent accreditation and turnaround story, directly comparable urban-anchored small-HBCU operating profile.

Broad incumbents

• Western Governors University: Large online nonprofit university built around employer-paid tuition benefits through partnerships similar to Guild Education; relevant as a competitor for the same working-adult degree-completer market that Paul Quinn now reaches via Guild.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with one of the biggest online adult-learner footprints; competes with Paul Quinn for Pell-eligible and employer-sponsored degree-completers nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PaulQuinn1872
• Facebookfacebook.com/PaulQuinn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/paulquinn
• Instagraminstagram.com/paulquinncollege/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@paulquinncollege

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Paul Quinn College