# Independence University

> Online university

**Wikidata**: [Q6016225](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6016225)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/independence-university

## Summary
Independence University is an online university founded in 1979 by Carl Barney and located in Utah. It operates as part of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education and provides educational opportunities through online learning platforms to approximately 11,578 students as of September 2020.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1979 by Carl Barney in Utah
- Is an online university and academic institution for further education
- Operates as part of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education
- Located in Utah with coordinates 41.2328°N, 112.011°W
- Has approximately 11,578 students as of September 2020
- Employs 1,024 people as of September 2020
- Has total assets valued at $41,501,386 as of June 30, 2020
- Also known as California College for Health Sciences
- Website: http://www.independence.edu/

## FAQs
### Q: When was Independence University established?
A: Independence University was established in 1979 by Carl Barney in Utah.

### Q: How many students does Independence University have?
A: As of September 2020, Independence University had approximately 11,578 students.

### Q: What is the parent organization of Independence University?
A: Independence University operates as part of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education.

### Q: What other names has Independence University been known by?
A: The institution has also operated under the name California College for Health Sciences.

## Why It Matters
Independence University represents a significant player in the online education landscape in the United States. Founded over four decades ago, it has grown to serve thousands of students through its online learning model, providing educational opportunities to those who may not have access to traditional campus-based institutions. The university's large student body and substantial assets indicate its economic importance and reach in the higher education sector. As an online educational provider, Independence University addresses the growing demand for flexible, accessible education options, contributing to the transformation of how higher education is delivered in the digital age.

## Notable For
- Online education model serving students nationwide rather than traditional campus-based instruction
- Significant size with 11,578 students and 1,024 employees as of 2020
- Substantial financial assets valued at $41.5 million as of 2020
- Operates under multiple names including California College for Health Sciences
- Founded by Carl Barney, a figure noted in publications for his educational philosophy

## Body
### Background
Independence University is an online university founded in 1979 by Carl Barney in Utah. It operates as part of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education and serves approximately 11,578 students as of September 2020. The institution is also known by the alias California College for Health Sciences.

### Location and Organization
The university is located in Utah with coordinates 41.2328°N, 112.011°W. It functions as a part of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, which serves as its parent organization. The institution has multiple identifiers including:
- ISNI: 0000000404824592
- ROR ID: 054phan86
- GRID ID: grid.441370.5
- Freebase ID: /m/0cnw99
- Ringgold ID: 212311

### Educational Programs and Student Body
Independence University serves approximately 11,578 students as of September 2020, making it one of the larger online educational institutions. The university operates through online learning platforms and has a significant staff of 1,024 employees as of September 2020.

### Financial Information
The university has total assets valued at $41,501,386 as of June 30, 2020, indicating substantial financial resources for an educational institution. Its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ID is 465812.

### Digital Presence and Social Media
Independence University maintains a strong digital presence with:
- Website: http://www.independence.edu/ (in English)
- Twitter: independenceu
- Facebook: independenceuniversity
- Instagram: independenceuniversity
- Quora topic: Independence-University

The institution has approximately 1,232 social media followers as of January 2021.

## References

1. [An Ayn Rand Acolyte Selling Students a Self-Made Dream. The New York Times. 2016](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/business/an-ayn-rand-acolyte-selling-students-a-self-made-dream.html)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
4. [Source](http://www.independence.edu/)
5. GRID Release 2015-12-14
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. Quora
8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
9. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
10. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)