Agora University

What Agora University does

Agora University is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) distance-learning institution headquartered in Burke, Virginia, delivering 100% online post-secondary education to working professionals globally. It operates three wholly-owned colleges: the Naguib Sawiris School of Business (accelerated one-year MBA at $6,000 total and a BBA at $166.67 per credit hour), the College of Professional Studies (BA in Integrative Studies with concentrations including Middle Eastern Studies, Education, Computer Science, and Pre-Law), and Holy Transfiguration College (theological studies), with explicit positioning around Orthodox Christian values while remaining open to students of all faiths.

The academic platform is built on Populi's cloud-based Learning Management System and Student Information System, delivered via modular 4-week courses blending synchronous and asynchronous content. A distinctive element is the Investor Lab and the associated Agora-Malaikah Momentum Program (AMMP), a $1 million aggregate fund created with the Egyptian Business Angels Network (EGYBAN) to provide MBA students with mentorship, microgrants, women-led project funding, and venture-capital pitching opportunities — a "cradle-to-investment" model uncommon in online higher education. Faculty are drawn from institutions including Oxford, St. Andrews, Aberdeen, UCLA, Claremont, and the University of Toronto.

Revenue comes primarily from tuition charged per credit hour or as flat program fees, supplemented by $250 annual technology and library fees, a $30 application fee, and a $250 graduation fee, with need-based tuition assistance ranging from 15% to 80%. Go-to-market relies on direct online enrollment through agora.edu and its college subdomains, supplemented by a corporate channel anchored by Orascom Group entities, RiseUp, and Gemini Africa, alongside digital marketing, PR, and alumni referrals. The institution holds DEAC accreditation, CHEA recognition, SCHEV certification, NC-SARA membership, and IRS 501(c)(3) status.

Name

Agora University

Legal name

Agora University

Website

https://agora.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Agora University is a US-based nonprofit, 100% online distance-learning institution offering accredited MBA, BBA, BA, and theological programs to working professionals globally through three colleges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Distance learning programs
• Undergraduate business degree
• Liberal arts education
• Graduate management degree

Headquarters

HQ city

Burke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Agora University generates primary revenue through tuition charges for its degree programs including MBA ($181.81 per credit hour, $6000 total), BBA ($166.67 per credit hour), and BAIS ($166.67 per credit hour). Students pay per credit hour or flat program fees.
2. Technology Fee: Annual technology fee of $250 for LMS and SIS access, billed at the beginning of each academic year
3. Library Fee: Annual library fee of $250 for database subscriptions including LIRN, Ebscohost, JSTOR, ProQuest and Virtual Librarian services
4. Application Fee: Non-refundable $30 application fee charged at the time of application submission
5. Graduation Fee: One-time $250 fee for processing diplomas and transcripts upon graduation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Agora University is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) online institution of higher education that delivers fully distance-learning degree programs, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies. Courses are delivered asynchronously through the Populi learning management and student information system, and students pay $300 per credit hour with no out-of-state tuition surcharge. Enrollment is open to U.S. and international applicants via an online application, with rolling three-semester-per-year start dates.

Product overview

Agora University is an online Orthodox Christian university offering distance education through three colleges: the Naguib Sawiris School of Business (MBA, BBA programs), College of Professional Studies (BA in Integrative Studies), and Holy Transfiguration College (theological studies). The institution provides a cloud-based learning platform via Populi LMS with modular 4-week course formats. Unique offerings include the Investor Lab for entrepreneurship support and the $1 million Agora-Malaikah Momentum Program for student entrepreneurs. Programs are accredited in the United States through DEAC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Holy Transfiguration College: College focusing on theological and religious studies within Agora University
• Naguib Sawiris School of Business
• College of Professional Studies
• Investor Lab
• Agora-Malaikah Momentum Program (AMMP)

Products and services

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) A fully online graduate degree in business administration designed for working professionals, with three-semester-per-year rolling start dates and includes access to the Investor Lab and the Agora-Malaikah Momentum Program (AMMP) for practical finance experience and mentorship. Tuition is $300 per credit hour with no out-of-state surcharge.
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) A fully online undergraduate business degree designed for students seeking an accredited BBA without relocating, with rolling three-semester-per-year enrollment and transfer-credit-friendly admissions. Tuition is $300 per credit hour with no out-of-state surcharge.
• Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies A fully online liberal-arts undergraduate degree that integrates interdisciplinary coursework with a Christian formation framework, designed for adult learners and transfer students seeking a broad-based humanities education. Tuition is $300 per credit hour with no out-of-state surcharge.

Quantifiable outcome

• MBA program completed in 1 year (12 months) with 33 credit hours
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Egyptian Business Angels Network (EGYBAN) / MalaikahcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2023Partnership to create the Agora-Malaikah Momentum Program Fund (AMMP), a $1 million aggregate initiative supporting emerging entrepreneurs in the MBA program. AMMP offers annual awards, microgrants, women-led project grants, business support awards, ideation awards, and venture capital pitching opportunities. This partnership exemplifies the cradle-to-investment model of business education.
• Sophia LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership allowing students to complete general education requirements through Sophia's self-paced online courses. Available for sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, and mathematics. Helps students accelerate degree completion while saving on tuition costs.
• RiseUpcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic partnership with RiseUp, the Middle East and Africa's top startup platform organizing the RiseUp Summit with 5,000+ attendees from 52 countries annually. Provides access to entrepreneurial ecosystem and networking opportunities for students.
• Gemini AfricacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Gemini Africa, a leading MEA entrepreneurial ecosystem enabler offering unique investment models and flagship programs through their one-stop e-Hub. Provides student access to business opportunities and mentorship.
• Orascom GroupflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate partnership with Orascom Group entities including Orascom Investment Holding, Orascom Financial Holding, Orascom Pyramids Entertainment, Gemini Egypt for Investments, Orascom Development Holding, OCI, and 20+ other subsidiaries. Provides group discount programs for employees seeking MBA education.
• UCAM (Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer accreditation partner for academic programs under European Union partnership. School and programs previously accredited through UCAM before acquisition by Agora University in 2024 and transition to US accreditation.
• Alexandria School Foundation (ASFCS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Alexandria School Foundation for educational collaboration and student referral pathways.
• Antiochian House of StudiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for theological studies collaboration within the Orthodox Christian academic community.
• CardoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cardoo for student services and benefits within the university ecosystem.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Liberty University Online: Large online university with Christian values-based positioning and affordable tuition. Comparable as a faith-rooted, online, working-professional institution.
• National University: Nonprofit university system with one-month course formats and four-week terms, serving working professionals. Closely comparable modular course structure.
• Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university serving working professionals with competency-based, affordable degree programs. Directly comparable to Agora's online, working-professional, affordable positioning.
• Aspen University: Online university offering affordable undergraduate and graduate programs to working professionals. Comparable in target market and online-only delivery.
• Regent University: Christian-affiliated online university with MBA and professional programs. Comparable faith-based positioning and online delivery.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Major nonprofit online university offering affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees to working adults globally. Closest competitor in scale and target audience.
• University of Phoenix: Pioneer for-profit online university targeting working adults with accelerated, affordable degree programs. Comparable in delivery model and adult-learner focus.
• Grand Canyon University: Christian-affiliated university with large online program serving working professionals. Comparable faith-rooted, online, affordable positioning at greater scale.
• Purdue University Global: Online institution affiliated with Purdue targeting working adults with affordable, accredited programs. Comparable adult-learner value proposition.

Regional players

• Oral Roberts University: Faith-based university with online programs targeting Christian learners. Comparable in values-based education approach though broader evangelical rather than Orthodox Christian focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AgoraUni
• Facebookfacebook.com/agorauniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agorauniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/agora.university

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Agora University