Soongsil University

What Soongsil University does

Soongsil University is a private, non-profit university headquartered in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea, operated by the Soongsil University Corporation (학교법인 숭실대학교). Founded in 1897 in Pyongyang and re-established in Seoul in 1955, the university serves approximately 19,000 students, faculty, and staff across 12 colleges (humanities, natural sciences, law, social sciences, economics, business, engineering, IT, next-generation semiconductors, AI, Bearad, and free electives) plus graduate schools, professional schools, and the Global Future Education Institute for lifelong learners. Its primary "customers" are domestic and international undergraduate and graduate students, with secondary segments including high school feed (64 partner high schools), lifelong learners, and industry/government research partners.

The university has built a comprehensive digital infrastructure (SSU-PATH student activity management, SSU LMS, FACT Chat AI chatbot, u-SAINT portal) and has aggressively positioned itself as an "AI Native University" since 2025 by establishing Korea's first AI College (April 2025), AI Graduate School (October 2025), AI Committee governance body, and AI Convergence Research Institute. In September 2025 it became the first Korean university to fully provide paid generative AI services (ChatGPT and similar) to all 19,000 members, and it has developed in-house AI agents such as D'Score for design analysis.

Revenue is generated primarily through government-regulated tuition across 12 colleges (with separate rates for humanities, natural sciences, law, social sciences, economics, business, engineering, IT, AI, Bearad, and free electives), supplemented by substantial government research grants (AI-Centric University 24 billion KRW over 8 years; SAFE-CORE 31.875 billion KRW over 6 years; RISE portfolio 118.6 billion KRW; G-LAMP; High School Education Contribution program for 18 consecutive years), and development fund contributions from alumni and corporations. The university operates a multi-channel GTM strategy: annual admissions cycles (수시, 정시, 편입학, 재외국민, International Students), high school visit programs, campus tours, and a content-driven social media presence (Instagram, YouTube, Naver Blog, Facebook); it also distributes K-MOOC content globally and pursues international exchange partnerships.

Name

Soongsil University

Legal name

Soongsil University (숭실대학교)

Website

https://ssu.ac.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Soongsil University is a private Seoul-based university serving ~19,000 students and faculty across 12 colleges, including Korea's first AI College and AI Graduate School. It operates as an "AI Native University" with campus-wide generative AI services, AX specialization across departments, and substantial government research funding.

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

Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA), STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate academic programs
• AI-integrated education
• University research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

서울시, 동작구

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees charged to undergraduate and graduate students across all colleges and programs.
2. Government Research Grants and Subsidies: Substantial government funding including AI 중심대학 사업 (240억 원 over 8 years), 기초과학연구역량강화사업 (31.8억 원 over 6 years), G-LAMP grants, RISE 사업 (118.6억 원 total), and various other ministry-level research funding.
3. Development Fund (발전기금) Contributions: Donations and contributions from alumni, corporations, and organizations including major recent contributions from 원흥이엔씨 (1억 원), 이철희 명예교수 (1억 원 for AI College), 소비자생활협동조합 (5천만 원), 동작장학재단 (1천만 원), and cumulative 生협 contributions of 11.6억 원.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Soongsil University is a private higher education institution providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 12 colleges spanning humanities, natural sciences, engineering, IT, law, business, social sciences, and AI. It operates dedicated AI academic units (AI College launched April 2025 and AI Graduate School launched October 2025) along with research institutes including the AI Convergence Research Institute and the SAFE-CORE center, delivering AI-integrated education and applied research. The university delivers campus-based instruction at its Seoul campus, online learning through its LMS platform, and lifelong professional education through the Global Future Education Institute.

Product overview

Soongsil University operates as a comprehensive educational institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs through multiple academic colleges including AI College, AI Graduate School, and traditional disciplines. The university's technology infrastructure includes student management systems (SSU-PATH), learning management system (LMS), and AI-powered services. The institution has positioned itself as an 'AI Native University' with major AI initiatives including AI College, AI Graduate School, AI Committee, and campus-wide generative AI service deployment. Research is conducted through specialized institutes including the AI Convergence Research Institute.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Soongsil Vision 2030 (숭실비전2030): University strategic plan aimed at cultivating LEAD academic fields to the highest domestic level by 2030.
• SSU-PATH
• SSU LMS
• SSU-PATH
• Spartan SW Academy (스파르탄SW교육원)
• AI Convergence Research Institute (AI융합研究院)
• Korean Institute of Christian Cultural Studies (한국기독교문화研究院)
• Soongsil Institute for Peace and Unification (숭실평화통일研究院)
• Global Future Education Institute (글로벌미래교육원)
• Suung (숭숭이)
• G-LAMP
• GTEP
• RISE

Quantifiable outcome

• 2026 admission competition rate: 17.69:1 (수시), 7.11:1 (정시), 30.92:1 (transfer)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 에버그린 해외봉사단minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2026Evergreen overseas volunteer corps conducting education and culture volunteer activities in Mongolia with university support.
• GTEP-CES 2026 SeoulminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026GTEP business team participated in CES 2026 Seoul tech exhibition showcasing student research and startup outcomes.
• KISA 경기정보보호지원센터minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2025Spartan SW Education Center cooperation with KISA for information security talent development programs.
• 대만 국립정치대학교 (National Chengchi University, Taiwan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025MOU signed for Korean Studies academic exchange, K-MOOC content sharing, and joint international academic conferences on Korean traditional arts and culture. K-MOOC lectures on Korean traditional arts (10 courses developed) to be distributed internationally.
• 대신증권 (Daishin Securities)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Daishin Securities provided market outlook lecture at 9th Soongsil Leaders Forum.
• 신한은행 / 신한스퀘어브릿지minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2025Pre-startup team '손PB' participated in Shinhan Square Bridge university startup competition.
• 콜롬비아 안티오키아주립대 (Colombia Universidad de Antioquia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Korean Studies MOU expanding Latin American academic partnerships.
• 영국 왕립아세아학회 한국지부 (Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025Korean Christianity Cultural Research Institute signed MOU with UK Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch for joint academic research in Korean Christianity and cultural heritage.
• 영국 왕립아세아학회 (Royal Asiatic Society)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025REBOOT project collaboration with Royal Asiatic Society on Korean historical and cultural research.
• 한국학연구소 - 몽골 국제울란바타르대와 MOUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Korean Studies research MOU with Mongolia International Ulaanbaatar University.
• 교육대학원 - ㈜대교뉴이프minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025MOU for senior education and care sector cooperation between Graduate School of Education and DaeKyo NewIp.
• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025AI-centered global education and research cooperation MOU with Arizona State University for AI-focused academic exchange and joint research.
• 한국학연구소 - 중국 산둥대와 협약minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Korean Studies MOU with Shandong University, China for K-academic international expansion.
• 이동통신사 3사 (Major Telecom Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Telecom partners collaborated during AX Vision Declaration ceremony for AI innovation in education, part of AI Native University transformation.
• 글로벌미래교육원 - 대한민국 도전페스티벌minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Global Future Education Institute received exemplary education institution award at Korea Challenge Festival for lifelong education initiatives.
• LS증권 (LS Securities)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership with LS Securities for national university student AI system trading challenge competition.
• KOICA / 한국개발전략연구소 (KDS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025ODA project for Ecuador startup invitation training through KOICA funding; joint implementation with KDS for international development cooperation.
• 서철헌·천명기 教授 (Research Chair Professors)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025First-ever research chair professor appointments for renowned scholars to strengthen research capacity in specific disciplines.
• CJ ENMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 20255th CJ Industry-Academia-Research Competition partnership for student innovation and industry collaboration.
• (사)한국경영혁신중소기업협회minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025Industry-academia cooperation and RISE business MOU for small and medium enterprise innovation support.
• 콜롬비아 ITM 시립대 (Colombia ITM Metropolitan University)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Korean Studies exchange and research partnership expanding K-academic influence in Latin America.
• 한국학연구소 - 우즈베키스탄·키르기스스탄 대학과 한국학 MOUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025MOU with universities in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan for Korean Studies research cooperation and academic exchange.
• 한국학연구소 - 연변대와 대학원 복수학위 협정minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Dual degree graduate program agreement with Yanbian University.
• 한국학연구소 - 하북과기와 학술교류 협정minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Academic exchange agreement with Hebei University of Science and Technology.
• 한국학연구소 - 몽골국제대학과 학술교류 협정minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Academic exchange agreement with Mongolia International University.
• 교육부 / 한국기초과학지원研究院 (KBSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025National research partnership for SAFE-CORE center establishment under 2026 기초과학연구역량강화사업: 31.875억 won over 6 years for safety, health, and environment convergence research.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Yonsei University: Top-tier private Seoul university with established AI and computer science programs, AI Graduate School, and large-scale industry partnerships. Direct competitor in the Seoul private-university segment for AI-focused students, faculty, and donors.
• KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology): South Korea's flagship science and technology university with deep AI research capabilities, AI Graduate School, and SW/AI-Centric University designation. Most direct comparable in Korean AI-focused higher education; competes with Soongsil for top AI/CS talent and government research funding.
• Korea University: SKY-tier Seoul private university with growing AI/CS capabilities and government-backed research programs. Competes head-to-head with Soongsil for the same Seoul applicant pool, faculty hires, and national research grants.
• Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU): Private Seoul-based research university with strong engineering and AI programs, SW-Centric University designation history, and Samsung partnership. Direct competitor for Seoul-based AI talent and the same Korean government grant pools as Soongsil.
• Chung-Ang University: Seoul-based private university with comparable scale, multi-college structure, and growing AI/IT program investments. Direct competitor in the same Seoul private-university tier for students and faculty.
• Konkuk University: Seoul-based private university with strong engineering and computer science departments and similar applicant demographics. Comparable in scale, location, and positioning within the Seoul private university market.
• Hanyang University: Private Seoul university known for engineering and computer science, with active AI curriculum expansion and government research grants. Closely comparable in size, geography, and engineering/AI focus to Soongsil.
• Kyung Hee University: Private Korean university with comparable comprehensive college structure, computer science programs, and Seoul-area positioning. Competes for similar applicant demographics and government research funding.

Broad incumbents

• Seoul National University (SNU): Top public research university in Korea with AI Institute (SNUAI) and unmatched research scale. Larger and more established than Soongsil; competes for top faculty and government flagship programs but at a different tier.

Emerging players

• Arizona State University (ASU): Large US public university that signed an AI-centered global education and research MOU with Soongsil in 2025. Comparable as an institution scaling AI-across-the-curriculum model and online learning at scale; partner and aspirational benchmark rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt16KePDzakkF0hqhLTTMuw
• Facebookfacebook.com/soongsil
• Instagraminstagram.com/soongsil1897
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/%EC%88%AD%EC%8B%A4%EB%8C%80%ED%95%99%EA%B5%90

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Soongsil University