The world of higher education has long been ruled by independent or state institutions, funded largely through endowments provided by tradition-bound alums. But Pittsburgh-based Education Management Corporation has taken a different approach.

EDMC is “among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America.” This company has become something of an educational conglomerate; four distinct schools fall under the EDMC umbrella, each with unique programs and locations. Each school is licensed by the state in which it is located, with doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate and certificate-level programs offered across the system.

• EDMC’s schools boast 89 locations in 28 US states and Canada
• Founded in 1962, EDMC’s first acquisition was the Art Institute of Pittsburgh; bachelor’s degree programs were added there in 1988
• The company’s initial public offering was in 1996
• More than 16,000 full and part-time faculty members provide instruction at the schools
• January 2009 enrollment reached 114,000 students, an increase of 17.3% from the previous year
• Net revenues rose a similar amount, totaling $522 million in 2008

With a strong online education presence responsible for significant growth in the Pittsburgh office, EDMC is working to fill a niche for career-oriented students. Its many physical locations and various schools allow for economies of scale and an integrated marketing approach. This is a company that is positioning itself to be a North American resource, helping students manage their own education and achieve success.