Park University

Parkville, Missouri, United States · Est. 1875 · Private University

Private liberal arts university founded 1875, serving 4,949 students across Parkville, Missouri and 40+ locations nationwide.

  • Founded 1875 by John A. McAfee on land donated by George S. Park
  • Private nonprofit liberal arts institution with 4,949 students (fall 2025)
  • Flagship 645-acre campus in Parkville, Missouri; secondary campus in Gilbert, Arizona
  • 41 campus centers across 22 U.S. states plus extensive online programs (650+ courses)
  • NAIA athletics: Parkville Pirates (18 sports) and Gilbert Buccaneers (15 sports)
  • Endowment of $87.7 million (2025); ranked in top 16% for opportunities and earnings

Academics

Park University offers 90+ programs across undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels through three colleges: Liberal Arts and Sciences, Education and Health Professions, and Management. The university provides flexible learning options including on-campus, online, and hybrid formats across 19 locations nationwide. Notable programs span business, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, healthcare, and social sciences, with both traditional and accelerated schedules available for working professionals.

Campus & Student Life

The flagship Parkville campus spans 645 acres on the Missouri River bluffs, anchored by the historic Mackay Hall (built 1883–1893 using student labor and locally quarried limestone). The university operates 41 campus centers in 22 states, many on or near military bases, plus a graduate school in downtown Kansas City and a campus center in Gilbert, Arizona. Park emphasizes accessibility and diversity, welcoming recent high school graduates, working professionals, military service members, and international students through dedicated admissions pathways.

Admissions

Park University accepts applications through multiple pathways: undergraduate, graduate, transfer, international, military/veteran, and working professional admissions. The university offers both on-campus and online application options. Competitive academic scholarships totaling $1.88 million were awarded for the 2026–27 academic year. Summer 2026 classes begin June 8; Fall 2026 classes begin August 17.

Athletics & Outcomes

The Parkville Pirates compete in NAIA's Heart of America Athletic Conference with 18 varsity sports; the Gilbert Buccaneers compete in the California Pacific Conference with 15 sports. Park has won multiple NAIA national championships, including women's volleyball (2014, 2018) and men's volleyball (2026). The university was ranked in the top 16% nationally by Carnegie Classification for combining profession-focused education with broad access and proven higher earnings after graduation.

Founded
1875
Type
Private University
Courses
12
Total intake
Not yet verified
Websitehttp://www.park.edu
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
12
Avg career outcomes
$56.3K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources