Discover the Top 15 Educational Travel Companies in the US
Discover the Top 15 Educational Travel Companies in the US
The educational travel industry in the US is a thriving sector that offers unique opportunities for students to explore the world while enhancing their learning experiences. Educational travel companies cater to a range of age groups, from middle school to college students. These companies provide curated itineraries that combine academic content with cultural immersion, offering hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in various fields. They aim to foster a new perspective on the world through experiential learning. The industry is characterized by a focus on safety, with industry-leading protocols and processes in place to ensure the well-being of students. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for educational travel experiences is expected to rise, with companies expanding their offerings to accommodate diverse learning needs and preferences.
Top 15 Educational Travel Companies in the US
1. EF Educational Tours
- Headquarter: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1965
- Headcount: 10001+
EF Tours is a company that offers educational travel programs and tours for students. They provide curated itineraries with hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in various fields. With a focus on experiential learning, EF Tours aims to open the world through education and inspire a new perspective on the world.
2. Road Scholar
- Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1975
- Headcount: 201-500
Road Scholar is a not-for-profit organization that offers learning adventures and transformative educational experiences for boomers and beyond. With 5,500 learning adventures in 150 countries and all 50 states, Road Scholar serves over 100,000 participants per year. Their programs prioritize learning and offer scholarships to minimize financial constraints. They value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive and equitable work and learning environment for people of all backgrounds and identities.
3. Aifs
- Headquarter: Stamford, Connecticut, United States
- Founded: 1964
- Headcount: 201-500
American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) is an organization that provides educational and cultural exchange programs since 1964. They offer formal arrangements for international students to study abroad, providing logistical support, student services, housing facilities, and cultural activities. AIFS also provides insurance coverage for students, including medical insurance and liability insurance. Their programs include Academic Year in America, Study Abroad, Internship, Customized Faculty-Led, Au Pair in America, Camp America, Cultural Insurance Services International, and International Education for Global Minds.
4. Rustic Pathways
- Headquarter: Mentor, Ohio, United States
- Founded: 1983
- Headcount: 201-500
- Latest funding type: Seed
Rustic Pathways is a student travel organization that offers transformative programs for middle school, high school, and college students. With a focus on experiential learning and cultural immersion, Rustic Pathways provides gap year semesters, customizable teacher-led trips, and individual travel programs. The company prioritizes safety and has industry-leading protocols and processes in place. Rustic Pathways has been recognized as the Best Youth Tour Operator in 2019 and is dedicated to creating impactful experiences for its students.
5. World Strides
- Headquarter: United States
- Headcount: 201-500
WorldStrides is a company that offers educational travel programs for students of all ages. With a focus on experiential learning, WorldStrides provides customized itineraries that combine academic content with cultural immersion, allowing students to learn outside the classroom.
6. ACIS Educational Tours
- Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1978
- Headcount: 51-200
ACIS is an educational travel company that empowers educators to introduce their students to the world beyond the classroom. They offer exceptional tours for students, providing quality educational travel experiences that change lives.
7. Where There Be Dragons
- Headquarter: Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Founded: 1993
- Headcount: 51-200
Where There Be Dragons is a company that offers summer and gap year programs for students and adults. They provide immersive travel experiences in various locations around the world, focusing on cultural immersion, skill building, and global issues.
8. StudentUniverse
- Headquarter: Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
- Founded: 1999
- Headcount: 51-200
StudentUniverse offers exclusive student flight discounts and travel deals that can't be found elsewhere. They negotiate directly with airlines and hotel suppliers to provide customers with exclusive discounts. They also offer cheap student flights, hotels, and rental cars, with risk-free cancellation options. Additionally, StudentUniverse is part of the Flight Centre Travel Group, one of the world's largest travel companies.
9. uAdventure Travel
- Headquarter: Springfield, Missouri, United States
- Founded: 2014
- Headcount: 51-200
uAdventure Travel specializes in planning and organizing study abroad tours for professors, instructors, and teachers from colleges, high schools, middle schools, and home schools. They customize and package tours and learning experiences specifically for courses, providing students with opportunities to broaden their horizons, understand other cultures, and experience diverse lifestyles.
10. Moondance Adventures
- Headquarter: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Founded: 1996
- Headcount: 51-200
Moondance Adventures is an adventure travel company offering immersive and impactful trips for teenagers. They believe in stepping outside of comfort zones and engaging fully with new places and experiences. Their trips take participants to awe-inspiring destinations, encouraging personal growth and a deeper understanding of the world. They offer a range of trips for different age groups, focused on service, discovery, and leadership. Moondance Adventures provides unforgettable outdoor adventures and fosters a love for exploration.
11. ARCC Programs (Adventures Cross-Country)
- Headquarter: Bend, Oregon, United States
- Founded: 1983
- Headcount: 51-200
ARCC (Adventures Cross Country) is a company that has been offering extraordinary summer programs for teens for over 40 years. They provide unique, immersive, and educational experiences by traveling to rarely visited locations. Their programs focus on safety, social and environmental responsibility, and making meaningful connections through cultural immersion and impactful volunteer projects.
12. Oxbridge by WorldStrides
- Headquarter: New York, United States
- Founded: 1989
- Headcount: 11-50
Oxbridge Academic Programs is a provider of summer academic programs for middle and high school students aged 13-18. They offer a wide range of educational travel, study abroad, career exploration, language immersion, performing arts, and sports programs in world-class destinations with rich cultural offerings.
13. Global Travel Alliance
- Headquarter: Billings, Montana, United States
- Founded: 2002
- Headcount: 11-50
Global Travel Alliance (globaltravelalliance.com) is an educational travel company that offers service adventure trips to high school students. They specialize in field science, outdoor adventure, and service learning, providing a personal connection to the people and leaders of the world. Their programs aim to change lives and build bridges through educational travel.
14. Travel For Teens
- Headquarter: Wayne, Pennsylvania, United States
- Founded: 2003
- Headcount: 11-50
TravelForTeens.com offers transformative travel experiences for middle and high school students. With a focus on community service, cultural exploration, and outdoor adventure, the company provides programs in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Their hands-on approach allows students to live like locals and learn about different cultures. They aim to inspire youth, foster a love for travel, and encourage curiosity.
15. Educational Travel Adventures
- Headquarter: Freehold, New Jersey, United States
- Founded: 1991
- Headcount: 11-50
ETA Adventures is an educational travel company specializing in experiential learning through travel. They offer customized educational tours, service learning programs, and faculty-led programs for professors with specific educational goals. Their group travel specialists customize itineraries based on precise requirements, ensuring a successful and fulfilling trip. ETA Adventures saves teachers time by planning trips, provides affordable options, and offers free travel for teachers. They create performance opportunities, enhance the educational experience, and promote inclusion and autism awareness through unique programs. The ETA Family consists of a dedicated team, talented Tour Managers, and far-reaching connections.
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