Minerva University
Subcategory: new-institution
Overview
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | San Francisco, United States |
| Entity Type | university |
| Founded or Announced | Established 2012; independent university accredited 2021 |
| Status | operating |
| Size and Enrollment | 637 undergraduates, 12 graduates (2025) |
| Annual Tuition or Cost | $24,500 tuition + $13,350 room/board (~$37,850 total) |
| Funding, Endowment, or Investment | Minerva Project (tech arm) raised >$128M VC; $50M from Nippon Foundation for Tokyo campus |
| Notable Donors or Backers | Ben Nelson (founder), The Nippon Foundation, ByteDance, TAL Education Group, Yongjin Group |
| Website | https://www.minerva.edu |
Academic Focus and Programs
Liberal arts & sciences; 5 majors (sciences, arts, humanities) w/ concentrations; interdisciplinary cornerstone courses; graduate: Master in Decision Making & Applied Analytics
Digital Strategy and Technology
Proprietary Forum platform for active learning virtual seminars; online synchronous classes; project-based learning tied to rotation cities; global immersion in 6-7 cities/year
AI, Platform, or Innovation Programs
Pioneering AI integration; ranked #1 most innovative university (WURI 2022-2025)
Key Partnerships
The Nippon Foundation (Tokyo); United Nations Academic Impact & Millennium Campus Network
Alliances or Networks
WASC Senior College and University Commission accredited
Leadership and Contact
| Role | Name / Value |
|---|---|
| President / Rector / Head | Mike Magee (President) |
| Digital / Tech Leadership | Raquel Ribeiro (Dean, Data and Learning); Forum platform team |
| Contact Email | info@minerva.edu |
| Contact Phone | (415) 325-2059 |
Why Notable for BD
New-model university using proprietary tech platform (Forum) for active, seminar-style online learning w/o physical classrooms; global city rotation (SF, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Taipei etc.) for immersive experiential learning; focuses on habits of mind & foundational concepts for transferable skills; highly selective (<4% admit rate), innovative pedagogy relevant for ed-tech/LMS partnerships
Sources
Wikipedia, Minerva.edu, WSCUC, Niche, College Tuition Compare, PR Newswire Magee, PIE News Funding, Minerva Mike Magee