Purdue Buys Kaplan University Apr 2026

In 2017, Purdue University made the groundbreaking decision to acquire the for-profit Kaplan University for a nominal fee of $1, transforming it into the public online entity now known as Purdue University Global . This "education marriage" was designed to leapfrog Purdue into the competitive online market and expand access for adult and non-traditional learners. The Logistics of the Deal

: Purdue paid exactly $1 to acquire Kaplan’s academic operations. purdue buys kaplan university

: Purdue leaders determined it would be faster and more effective to buy an established online infrastructure rather than building one from scratch. In 2017, Purdue University made the groundbreaking decision

: President Mitch Daniels framed the acquisition as a way to fulfill Purdue's land-grant mission by reaching "working adults and others unsuited to traditional campus study". : Purdue leaders determined it would be faster

: Kaplan receives a percentage of revenue for providing "back-office" services, including marketing, technology support, and financial aid administration for a 30-year term. Motivations and Strategy

The deal has faced significant scrutiny from faculty and external observers regarding transparency and financial outcomes: