It appears that Pearson Education may be the big winner
in the program that allows Starbucks employees to earn online degrees through
the Arizona State University. A new report said enrollment into Pearson’s online
higher education segment increased by 24% during the first half of 2015 and a
key part of that growth was the ASU Online program.
The growth couldn’t come at a better time for Pearson,
which experienced a 40% decline in its stocks in the last three months,
according to Brett Hershman, founder of Leverage Equity Research Group.
“This powerful connection will provide growth to ASU
online enrollment for years to come,” he wrote.
“With Pearson operating as a provider and manager of the online platform, the
company will benefit from the growing online higher education segment.”
Starbucks
is paying 100% of the online tuition fees for more than 140,000 full- and
part-time employees eligible to participate in ASU Online. The initiative is
helping Starbuck retain employees, while ASU has been named the most innovative
college in the nation by national publications.
