Distance Learning Systems
Distance Learning Systems is a private online education intermediary delivering ACE-recommended college credit courses via Canvas LMS and McGraw Hill platforms, serving 20,000+ working adults and nursing students by facilitating credit transfer to 30+ partner universities across 500+ degree pathways.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersGreenwood, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Distance Learning Systems does
Distance Learning Systems (DLSI), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Greenwood, Indiana, operates as a for-profit online education intermediary that delivers ACE-recommended college credit courses. The company does not award degrees directly; instead, it offers instructor-led courses live or on-demand that students complete and then transfer to partner universities toward degree completion. The core technology stack consists of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) by Instructure for course delivery, augmented by McGraw Hill's adaptive digital learning platforms (Connect, ALEKS, and SmartBook) for math, chemistry, and reading personalization. Courses are accelerated to 4-12 weeks and priced at $195/month on a subscription basis, with $68 McGraw Hill digital platform fees bundled into course costs.
DLSI's product set spans general education course credits, full degree pathways (with particular depth in nursing programs such as RN, BSN, LPN-RN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN), and standalone professional certificates offered through a MindEdge catalog. The company has accumulated 20,000+ enrolled individuals and 40,000+ transfer credits earned, with credits accepted by over 2,000 colleges and universities through the ACE CREDIT recommendation framework. Its distribution relies on a network of 30+ university affiliates (including Liberty University, Western Governor's University, American Military University, University of Maryland Global Campus, West Coast University, and Empire State-SUNY) that grant credit for DLSI coursework and offer tuition discounts for transferring students.
The go-to-market motion is sales-led and inside-sales-driven: prospective students call a dedicated number (888-955-3276) and are guided by Program Administrators through course selection, financing options, and degree planning. Marketing channels include direct phone outreach, the corporate website (dlsii.com), free in-person information seminars in multiple states, content marketing via blog, SEO, a student referral program, and co-marketing through university partners. Customer segments center on working adults, nursing students, current college students seeking accelerated general education credits, high school students, and international students. The company is privately held, bootstrapped since founding with no disclosed funding rounds, and operates as Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc.
Distance Learning Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Distance Learning Systems
- Legal name
- Distance Learning Systems Indiana Inc.
- Website
- https://dlsii.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Distance Learning Systems is a private online education intermediary delivering ACE-recommended college credit courses via Canvas LMS and McGraw Hill platforms, serving 20,000+ working adults and nursing students by facilitating credit transfer to 30+ partner universities across 500+ degree pathways.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Distance Learning Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Education and Distance Learning Services
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (61121), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transfer, Credit Mobility & Articulation Planning Platforms (EDAFAMAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer) (EDAHALAC), Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF), Transfer, Articulation & Credit Evaluation (EDALAAAH)
Keywords
Where Distance Learning Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenwood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Distance Learning Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Course Tuition: Students pay for individual courses to earn college credits. Pricing starts at $195/month. Each course typically takes 4-8 weeks to complete. The company offers financing options and accepts payroll deduction for payments.
- Digital Learning Platform Fees: McGraw Hill digital learning platforms (e-textbooks, online quizzes, interactive tools) fee of $68 per course is included in course costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Pay-as-you-go monthly plan starting at $195/month |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per course payment option |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Distance Learning Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Distance Learning Systems provides ACE-recommended college credit courses delivered 100% online through the Canvas Learning Management System, integrated with McGraw Hill's adaptive digital learning platforms (Connect, ALEKS, SmartBook). The company acts as an education intermediary, enabling individual students to earn transferable credits applicable to degrees at 30+ university affiliate partners across 500+ degree programs. Courses are instructor-led (live or recorded), accelerated (4–12 weeks), and start at $195/month with credit acceptance guaranteed at over 2,000 colleges nationwide.
Product overview
Distance Learning Systems operates as an online education intermediary platform that does not award degrees directly. The core offering consists of ACE-recommended college credit courses delivered 100% online through Canvas LMS, augmented by McGraw Hill digital learning platforms (Connect, ALEKS, SmartBook). Students take individual courses, course credit bundles, or pursue entire degree pathways in nursing or other disciplines through transfer agreements with 30+ university partners. The platform integrates tutoring and academic support services, technical support, and credit transfer facilitation via Credly badges/transcripts. Degree completion occurs at partner institutions after DLSI course credits are transferred.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Online College Credit Courses ACE-recommended college credit courses delivered 100% online through Canvas LMS with instructor-led live or recorded lectures, McGraw Hill digital platforms (Connect, ALEKS, SmartBook), weekly quizzes, and final exams. Accelerated 4–12 week format with credits transferable to 2,000+ colleges. Designed for individual learners seeking flexible, affordable college credit.
- Nursing Degree Programs Specialized pathways for nursing degrees including RN, BSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN, LPN-RN, and pre-nursing programs. Online general education credits transferable to partner nursing schools including West Coast University, Cochran School of Nursing, Indiana Wesleyan University, and others. Targeted at healthcare professionals and aspiring nurses seeking accredited nursing degrees.
- Accredited Degree Programs Accredited degree pathways across 30+ disciplines including Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and more. Offered through DLSI's network of 30+ university partners with guaranteed credit transfer.
- Individual Course Credits Individual college credit courses for general education requirements, elective credits, or prerequisite courses. Students can earn 1–3 credits per course with ACE recommendation for credit transfer.
- Professional Certificates Professional and academic certificates offered via catalog.mindedge.com/dlsii, available alongside degree programs or as standalone credential offerings.
Quantifiable outcome
- $200+ million saved in tuition and fees for thousands of students nationwide
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Distance Learning Systems
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Distance Learning Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature4 records
Distance Learning Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Liberty UniversitycoreLiberty University has evaluated and approved 15 DLSI courses as eligible for transfer. Partners with DLSI to provide students pathways to earn degrees in fields including Business, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Education, and more.
- American Military UniversitycoreFounded in 1991 to provide relevant and affordable distance education to service members worldwide. AMU and DLSI help students transfer credits and enroll from DLSI to complete degrees. Offers 5% tuition discount for DLSI students/graduates.
- American Public UniversitycoreAPU was established in 2002 to provide broader audience access to affordable, flexible programs. Partners with DLSI offering 5% tuition discount for DLSI students/graduates, $0 app fee, $0 transfer credit evaluation fee.
- Aspen University & United States UniversitycoreDLSI affiliated with Aspen University and United States University offering tuition discounts. Bachelor level courses start at $150/credit, Masters at $325/credit, Doctoral at $450/credit. 10% tuition discount on RN to BSN program and all masters/doctoral programs.
- Bellevue UniversitycoreBellevue has evaluated and approved 15 DLSI courses as eligible for transfer. Partners with DLSI to help students progress toward educational and career goals with smooth transition from DLSI to Bellevue.
- Central Penn CollegecoreCentral Penn College has evaluated and approved 12 DLSI courses (36 credits) as eligible for transfer. Career-oriented residential college in Summerdale, PA offering associate, bachelor's and master's degrees.
- Charter Oak State CollegeminorDLSI partner institution offering online degree completion programs.
- Cochran School of NursingcoreDLSI partner for nursing programs, providing pathways for students to earn nursing degrees.
- CSU GlobalminorCSU Global has approved 3 DLSI courses for transfer including Anatomy & Physiology II Lab, Developmental Psychology, and Introduction Macroeconomics.
- Indiana TechcoreIndiana Tech has evaluated and approved 14 DLSI courses for transfer. Students may also be eligible for Corporate Scholarship equivalent to 20% tuition reduction for undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Indiana Wesleyan UniversitycoreIndiana Wesleyan University has evaluated and approved 15 DLSI courses (41 credits) as eligible for transfer into bachelor's degree programs including Nursing RN to BSN.
- Rasmussen UniversityminorDLSI partner institution offering nursing and healthcare programs.
- Seton Hill UniversityminorDLSI partner institution for degree completion programs.
- South UniversitycoreSouth University is partnered with DLSI providing transfer credit and special partnership tuition rate. Accepts ACE approved credit recommendations. Offers programs in Health Professions, Nursing, Pharmacy, Business & Technology, and more.
- Southern California University of Health SciencescoreFounded in 1911, SCU is a private non-profit healthcare institution. Students accepted from DLSI receive $100 per credit tuition discount. Offers Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree completion program.
- Columbia Southern UniversityminorCSU has been a leader in providing online degree programs for nearly 30 years with focus on affordable, accessible, accredited quality education. Features 70 degree programs in 13 categories.
- Empire State University (SUNY)coreFounded in 1971, Empire State University is SUNY's leading online institution serving more than 16,000 students. Offers 700+ online courses across 120 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs.
- Southern New Hampshire UniversitycoreDLSI partner institution for degree completion and credit transfer.
- Thomas Edison State UniversitycoreChartered in 1972, Thomas Edison State University provides distinctive education for self-directed adults. Offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 100+ areas of study.
- UMass GlobalminorUMass Global has approved 3 DLSI courses for transfer including College Mathematics, Introduction to Anthropology, and Pharmacology.
- University of Maryland Global CampuscoreUMGC is the largest online public university in the nation (70+ years in distance learning). Has evaluated and approved 15 DLSI courses (41 credits) as eligible for transfer into degree programs.
- University of PhoenixcoreUniversity of Phoenix accepts DLSI courses for credit transfer including Pathophysiology and other courses recommended by ACE.
- West Coast UniversitycoreWest Coast University (110+ years in education, 35,000+ alumni) partnered with DLSI to provide nursing, healthcare, and business programs. Students may be eligible for transfer credit and tuition reduction. Offers programs online and at six campuses.
- Western Governor's UniversitycoreWGU and DLSI partnership helps students transfer credits. DLSI provides ACE recommended courses delivered 100% online that may be transferred to satisfy WGU degree requirements.
- South CollegeminorSouth College partners with DLSI offering ACE recommended courses that can be transferred to satisfy degree requirements.
- McGraw HillcoreMcGraw Hill provides digital learning platforms including Connect (adaptive learning), ALEKS (math/chemistry course assistant), and SmartBook (mastery-based reading) integrated into DLSI courses. DLSI courses with McGraw Hill integration deliver personalized learning experiences.
- Canvas (Instructure)coreCanvas Learning Management System is the platform hosting DLSI's online courses. Students access course materials, lectures, quizzes, communicate with instructors, and track progress through Canvas.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Distance Learning Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Study.com: Study.com provides ACE-recommended college credit courses via subscription, with similar transfer pathways, pricing model, and target audience of self-directed adult learners seeking affordable general education credit.
- StraighterLine: StraighterLine offers online general-education college courses recommended for credit by ACE at low monthly subscription pricing, directly mirroring DLSI's model and target market of cost-conscious adult learners.
- Outlier.org: Outlier.org offers low-cost, ACE-recommended general-education college courses designed for credit transfer, directly competing with DLSI's value proposition of affordable alternative credit pathways.
- Sophia Learning: Sophia provides ACE-recommended self-paced online general education courses that transfer to partner colleges, directly competing with DLSI for working-adult and transfer-credit students.
- Modern States Education Alliance: Modern States offers free online courses recommended for credit by ACE, with similar credit-transfer pathways to partner colleges and universities — a close direct competitor in the credit-mobility space.
Emerging players
- Saylor Academy: Saylor Academy provides free, self-paced college-level courses accepted for credit by ACE and partner colleges, offering a low-cost alternative to DLSI's paid credit-recommendation model.
Broad incumbents
- Excelsior University: Excelsior is a regionally accredited online college known for credit-by-examination and flexible degree pathways for adults — overlapping with DLSI's credit-transfer and adult-learner focus.
- University of Maryland Global Campus: UMGC is the largest online public university with broad degree offerings — both a DLSI partner (accepting 15 courses for transfer) and a competitor for working-adult online enrollment.
- Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is a large online university accepting DLSI credits while also offering its own comprehensive degree catalog at competitive pricing — a partner and indirect competitor for online adult learners.
- Western Governors University: WGU is a major online, accredited university that accepts DLSI credits but also offers its own complete degree programs at low tuition — representing both a key partner and a direct competitive threat.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Distance Learning Systems social profiles
Digital presenceDistance Learning Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Distance Learning Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Distance Learning Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Distance Learning Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Distance Learning Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Distance Learning Systems
What does Distance Learning Systems do?
Distance Learning Systems provides ACE-recommended college credit courses delivered 100% online through the Canvas Learning Management System, integrated with McGraw Hill's adaptive digital learning platforms (Connect, ALEKS, SmartBook). The company acts as an education intermediary, enabling individual students to earn transferable credits applicable to degrees at 30+ university affiliate partners across 500+ degree programs. Courses are instructor-led (live or recorded), accelerated (4–12 weeks), and start at $195/month with credit acceptance guaranteed at over 2,000 colleges nationwide.
Is Distance Learning Systems a public or private company?
Distance Learning Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Distance Learning Systems founded?
Distance Learning Systems was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Distance Learning Systems based?
Distance Learning Systems is headquartered in Greenwood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Distance Learning Systems make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Course Tuition is the primary driver. The others are digital Learning Platform Fees.
Who are Distance Learning Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Study.com, StraighterLine, Outlier.org, Sophia Learning and Modern States Education Alliance. Saylor Academy is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Excelsior University, University of Maryland Global Campus, Southern New Hampshire University and Western Governors University.
Does Distance Learning Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Distance Learning Systems.
What industry is Distance Learning Systems in?
Distance Learning Systems's product category is Online Education and Distance Learning Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAMAO, Transfer, Credit Mobility & Articulation Planning Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAHALAC, Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.