# California Intercontinental University

> American online university

**Wikidata**: [Q5020643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5020643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_InterContinental_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/california-intercontinental-university

## Summary

California Intercontinental University (CIU) is an American online university founded in 1996 and headquartered in California at coordinates 33.9789, -118.416. The institution offers higher education through distance learning programs and serves as a for-profit educational provider in the United States, currently enrolling approximately 537 students as of September 2020.

## Key Facts

- **Founded**: 1996 (inception date)
- **Location**: California, United States (coordinates: lat 33.9789, lon -118.416)
- **Type**: Online university, for-profit higher education institution
- **Student Enrollment**: 537 students (as of September 2020)
- **Employees**: 59 staff members (as of September 2020)
- **Website**: http://www.caluniversity.edu/
- **Web Feed URL**: https://caluniversity.edu/feed/
- **Logo**: Available at Wikimedia Commons (1._CIU_Primary_Logo.png)
- **Wikipedia Title**: California InterContinental University
- **Wikipedia Language**: English
- **Wikidata Description**: American online university
- **ISNI**: 0000000406487008
- **Freebase ID**: /m/05h2j1r
- **Geonames ID**: 7156448
- **GNIS Feature ID**: 2370722
- **Ringgold ID**: 97327
- **Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ID**: 485546
- **Crunchbase Organization ID**: california-intercontinental-university
- **Facebook**: CalUniversity
- **Sitelink Count**: 1 (Wikidata)
- **Instance Of**: University

## FAQs

### Q: What type of institution is California Intercontinental University?

A: California Intercontinental University is an American online university that provides distance learning higher education programs. It operates as a for-profit educational institution based in California, offering courses through online platforms.

### Q: When was California Intercontinental University founded?

A: California Intercontinental University was founded in 1996, making it a established institution with over two decades of operation in the online education sector.

### Q: How many students does California Intercontinental University enroll?

A: As of September 2020, California Intercontinental University enrolled approximately 537 students in its online programs.

### Q: Where is California Intercontinental University located?

A: The university is headquartered in California, United States, at geographic coordinates 33.9789 latitude and -118.416 longitude. The institution operates exclusively as an online university.

### Q: What is the institutional classification of California Intercontinental University?

A: California Intercontinental University is classified as a university type institution, identified by its Ringgold ID 97327 and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ID 485546. It is listed in Wikidata as an instance of "university" with the description "American online university."

## Why It Matters

California Intercontinental University represents a significant player in the American online higher education landscape. Founded in 1996, it has adapted to the growing demand for flexible, distance-based learning options that have become increasingly important in modern education. The institution's focus on online delivery positions it within the for-profit education sector, which serves students who may not have access to traditional campus-based learning due to geographic, professional, or personal constraints.

With approximately 537 students and 59 employees as of 2020, CIU contributes to the broader ecosystem of online universities that have expanded access to higher education across the United States and potentially internationally. The university's operations span over two decades, demonstrating sustained viability in a competitive educational market that has seen significant growth in online learning platforms.

The institution's various identifiers—including ISNI, Freebase, Geonames, GNIS, and Ringgold IDs—reflect its integration into multiple academic and administrative databases, facilitating credit transfers, accreditation verification, and research tracking. Its Crunchbase presence also indicates visibility within the business and startup ecosystem, highlighting its dual identity as an educational institution and a operational entity in California's education sector.

## Notable For

- **Online Education Pioneer**: One of the earlier online universities established in 1996, predating the massive expansion of digital learning platforms
- **California-Based Distance Learning**: Operates from California with specific geographic coordinates, distinguishing it from purely virtual institutions without physical presence
- **Comprehensive Digital Presence**: Maintains active website, web feed, and social media presence (Facebook: CalUniversity)
- **Multi-Database Integration**: Listed across numerous academic and geographic identification systems including ISNI, GNIS, Geonames, and Ringgold
- **For-Profit Education Model**: Operates as a for-profit institution in the American higher education landscape

## Body

### History and Foundation

California Intercontinental University was established in 1996, emerging during the early days of internet-based education in the United States. The founding year places CIU among the pioneering institutions that recognized the potential of online learning before it became mainstream. Throughout its operational history, the university has maintained its focus on distance education delivery, adapting its programs and technologies to evolving online learning methodologies.

### Institutional Identity and Classification

As an American online university, CIU carries the classification of "university" within the higher education taxonomy. The institution is identified through multiple standardized identifiers that facilitate its recognition across academic, geographic, and administrative databases. Its Wikidata entry describes it simply as an "American online university," reflecting its core educational mission. The Ringgold ID 97327 specifically categorizes it within educational institution classifications used in library and research contexts, while the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) ID 485546 registers it within the U.S. Department of Education's statistical system for postsecondary institutions.

### Geographic Details

Despite operating primarily as an online institution, California Intercontinental University maintains a specific geographic presence in California. Its coordinates (33.9789 latitude, -118.416 longitude) place it in the southern California region, specifically in the greater Los Angeles area. This physical location distinguishes it from fully virtual institutions that may not maintain a geographic footprint. The GNIS Feature ID 2370722 and Geonames ID 7156448 further cement its location in geographic databases, while the Freebase ID /m/05h2j1r provides additional semantic web identification.

### Enrollment and Staffing

As of September 2020, California Intercontinental University served approximately 537 students through its online programs. The institution employed 59 staff members during the same period, representing a student-to-staff ratio that is typical for online education providers where administrative and instructional functions may be more streamlined than traditional campus operations. These figures provide a snapshot of the university's scale within the for-profit online education sector.

### Digital Infrastructure

CIU maintains a comprehensive digital presence essential for online education delivery. Its primary website at http://www.caluniversity.edu/ serves as the hub for student information, course delivery, and institutional communications. The university also provides a web feed at https://caluniversity.edu/feed/, enabling students and interested parties to receive updates through RSS aggregation. Its Facebook presence under the handle "CalUniversity" provides an additional channel for social engagement and communication.

### External References and Database Listings

The university appears across multiple academic and business databases, demonstrating its recognition within various institutional ecosystems. Its Crunchbase listing (california-intercontinental-university) positions it within the business and startup information landscape, while its Wikipedia article (California InterContinental University) provides encyclopedic coverage in English. The single sitelink count on Wikidata indicates its presence in that collaborative knowledge base, though less extensive than major traditional universities.

### Logo and Branding

California Intercontinental University's visual identity is represented by its primary logo, hosted on Wikimedia Commons as "1._CIU_Primary_Logo.png." This branding element appears in official communications and serves as the visual marker for the institution's online and promotional materials.

### Identifier Summary

The institution's comprehensive identification across multiple systems includes:

- **ISNI** (International Standard Name Identifier): 0000000406487008
- **Freebase ID**: /m/05h2j1r
- **Geonames ID**: 7156448
- **GNIS Feature ID**: 2370722
- **Ringgold ID**: 97327
- **IPEDS ID**: 485546
- **Crunchbase ID**: california-intercontinental-university

These identifiers facilitate cross-referencing across academic databases, library systems, geographic information systems, and business intelligence platforms, ensuring the institution can be accurately referenced in various professional and research contexts.

## References

1. Open ISNI for Organizations
2. Google Knowledge Graph
3. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](http://www.caluniversity.edu/)
6. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions