What Purdue University Global does

Purdue University Global is the online university arm of Purdue University, serving approximately 36,000 working adults through more than 175 online degree and certificate programs delivered 100% digitally. Founded in 2017 when Purdue University acquired Kaplan University for $1 and rebranded it, the institution offers associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs across nursing, business, education, health sciences, information technology, cybersecurity, legal studies, psychology, fire and emergency management, and a dedicated Law School (Purdue Global Law School offering Juris Doctor and Executive Juris Doctor). The platform runs on the Brightspace learning management system, with proprietary ExcelTrack competency-based education programs that allow students to accelerate based on demonstrated mastery, and INACSL-endorsed virtual reality simulation platforms for nursing education. Notable outcome metrics include a 97.65% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in 2024 (6.49% above the national average) and an average of 44% of degree requirements fulfilled through prior learning credits.

The institution monetizes primarily through tuition at $315 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $420 per credit hour for graduate programs, with an average bachelor's degree cost of approximately $15,000 and an average 2.3-year completion time. Revenue is supported by federal student aid (Pell grants, student loans) and military education benefits (GI Bill, tuition assistance), with 17-55% military tuition reductions depending on program level and service status. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer online enrollment, employer education partnerships (e.g., A&P Mechanic Institute, Endeavor Air), military education channels, and the Team USA/Guild preferred online university partnership. The Three-Week No-Cost Trial serves as a freemium-style acquisition funnel.

Financially, Purdue Global has accumulated approximately $71 million in losses since inception with a net financial position of negative $35 million while spending approximately $1 billion on marketing over eight years to leverage the Purdue brand. The institution pays roughly $60 million annually to Kaplan Higher Education under a contract lasting until 2048, a structural cost overhang. Recent signals indicate a financial turnaround, including approximately 6% enrollment growth since 2023 and a projected $11 million profit in 2025, coinciding with the February 2026 appointment of Eva Nodine as permanent CEO. The institution maintains multiple programmatic accreditations (HLC, CCNE, NLN CNEA, NASAC, INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement) and is approved to deliver JD graduates to the California, Connecticut (through 2027), and Indiana bar examinations.

Name

Purdue University Global

Legal name

Purdue University Global

Website

https://purdueglobal.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Purdue University Global is the online university arm of Purdue University, serving approximately 36,000 working adults through 175+ online associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing, business, cybersecurity, health sciences, and law, delivered 100% digitally with competency-based pathways.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA), Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF)

Keywords

• Online higher education
• Competency-based degrees
• Nursing degree programs
• Military education benefits
• Adult online learning

Headquarters

HQ city

West Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition payments per credit hour for degree and certificate programs across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels
2. Practicum and Lab Fees: Additional fees for practicum components, such as $350 per course for clinical practicum in RN-to-BSN program
3. Financial Aid: Revenue supported by federal student aid including Pell grants, student loans, and military education benefits (GI Bill, tuition assistance)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Purdue University Global is an online university offering more than 175 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs delivered 100% online to working adults. It features competency-based ExcelTrack programs, a dedicated Law School, and specialized nursing and health science pathways with simulation-based learning, serving over 36,000 students nationally.

Product overview

Purdue University Global is Purdue University's online university serving working adults with over 36,000 students enrolled. It operates as a multi-modal educational platform offering more than 175 online programs including associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, along with certificate programs. The institution features competency-based degree programs through its ExcelTrack brand, which allow students to accelerate based on demonstrated knowledge. Key academic divisions include Nursing (with prelicensure, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and various nurse practitioner certificates), Business (including MBA, DBA, and ExcelTrack options), Education, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Legal Studies, Psychology, and a dedicated Law School offering Juris Doctor degrees. The institution provides specialized student support services including Prior Learning Assessment (awarding average of 85 credits for bachelor's and 50 credits for associate programs), a Center for Career Advancement, and a unique Three-Week No-Cost Trial program. Purdue Global is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and maintains programmatic accreditations from CCNE, NLN CNEA, NASAC, and state boards of nursing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Purdue Global Law School: Online law school offering Juris Doctor and Executive Juris Doctor programs, serving students in California, Connecticut, Indiana, and other eligible states.

Products and services

• ExcelTrack Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Quantifiable outcome

• 97.65% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in 2024 (6.49% higher than national average)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ABETcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Early adopter of ABET's Recognition of Credentials service to validate micro-credentials and digital badges in sustainability, data analytics, and AI.
• Industry Leaders (Cybersecurity)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Partnerships with industry leaders to address growing cybersecurity talent gap through tailored education solutions.
• SimplilearnminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 May 2025Cloud Computing and DevOps Certification Program collaboration with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Endeavor AirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with A&P Mechanic Institute providing guaranteed interview opportunities, conditional employment offers, and $1,000 award for graduates hired within 90 days of graduation.
• A&P Mechanic InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation maintenance school partnership allowing graduates to transfer up to 77 credits toward a bachelor's degree at Purdue Global.
• Guild / Team USA Learning NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred online university and degree provider for Team USA athletes, offering tuition-free education through the Guild platform.
• The DAISY FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to recognize and celebrate extraordinary nursing students through The DAISY Award program.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Arizona State University Online: Online arm of a major public research university, very structurally analogous to Purdue Global as the online university of Purdue. Comparable program breadth and research-university brand backing.
• Liberty University Online: Large nonprofit university with extensive online program offerings for working adults, including nursing and business. Overlaps significantly with Purdue Global's program portfolio and audience.
• DeVry University: For-profit institution with career-oriented online and hybrid programs in business, tech, and healthcare. Comparable in adult-learner targeting and applied-degree focus.
• Western Governors University: Nonprofit, competency-based online university serving working adults. The direct comparable for Purdue Global's ExcelTrack model and tuition-by-time rather than per-credit pricing.
• Walden University: For-profit online university with strong graduate and doctoral offerings in nursing, education, and psychology. Comparable to Purdue Global's advanced-degree and healthcare emphasis.
• University of Phoenix: Long-standing for-profit online university targeting working adults with associate through doctoral programs. Comparable in scale, online-only delivery, and adult-learner focus.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large nonprofit university with majority online enrollment serving working adults. The closest peer to Purdue Global in mission, scale, and program breadth across associate through doctoral levels.
• Penn State World Campus: Online division of a large public research university offering associate through doctoral degrees. Analogous institutional structure, brand leverage, and adult-learner focus.
• Capella University: For-profit online university with FlexPath competency-based options and a strong nursing portfolio. Closely comparable to Purdue Global's ExcelTrack and nursing program offerings.
• Grand Canyon University: For-profit university with significant online enrollment across undergraduate and graduate programs. Comparable in adult-learner focus and program breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PurdueGlobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/PurdueGlobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/purdue-global

Compliance17 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Purdue University Global