Kaplan University has issued its fourth annual Academic Report demonstrating its ongoing commitment to provide greater transparency around how it is delivering outcomes-focused education to help bridge the national skills gap.

"Kaplan University's Academic Report provides a detailed overview of our students' progress in mastering the skills they need, and employers want, to grow their careers and improve their lives," said Kaplan University President Dr. Wade Dyke. "Student progress is also the benchmark for gauging the university's progress as an educational institution."

Kaplan University, which was recently named one of the Best Online Bachelor degree programs by U.S. News & World Report, helps adult learners become highly marketable candidates for employment. The 50-page annual report, which covers the academic year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013, includes an overview of Kaplan University and key metrics around the educational experience, student learning and employment outcomes, and graduate satisfaction ratings. It also provides profiles of individual schools within the university system.

"Kaplan University made significant progress in the 2012-2013 academic year. We used learning science to systematically revise and improve 638 courses while adding 78 new courses," said Kaplan University Provost Dr. Betty Vandenbosch. "These improvements in our curriculum, coupled with our continued efforts to enhance our career services department, helped support stronger student outcomes."

Dr. Dyke and Dr. Vandenbosch noted that, based on a survey of students utilizing the career services department, 94 percent of all of Kaplan University's on-ground campus and learning center graduates were employed in positions related to their field of study within 6 months after graduation. Additionally, 78 percent of those students reported a significant increase, on average, in their compensation after graduation. Kaplan University does not calculate employment data for wholly online students.

Moreover, results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a third party survey administered across hundreds of four-year colleges and universities, showed that Kaplan University ranked among the top 10% of participating institutions on three of ten indicators of student engagement: Higher-Order Learning, Learning Strategies, and Effective Teaching Practices. KU students were also significantly more likely to rate their overall experience as excellent or good than students at other institutions.

Additional report highlights include:

  • Kaplan University conferred 15,295 degrees and 585 certificates and diplomas during the 2012-13 school year.
  • Thirty-eight percent of the scholarships awarded to Kaplan University students were need-based; 39 percent were merit based and 23 percent were grants.
  • Kaplan University introduced several open courses in the academic year, including LRC 100 which awards college credit for work experience. Through Kaplan University's credit-transfer program, 15,850 students received a total of 916,923 transfer credits, which equates to a total student savings of $306 million.
  • The percentage of Kaplan University students pursuing master's degrees continues to grow. Nineteen percent in 2012-2013 compared with 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, in prior academic years.
  • Most Kaplan University students are adult learners juggling family responsibilities and jobs while pursing higher education. For the 2012-2013 academic year, 76 percent of Kaplan University students were female, a slight increase from the previous academic year (74%).
  • Nearly two-thirds of students (63 percent) were age 30 or older, a slight decrease from the previous academic year (65%).
  • Consistent from the previous year, 90% of Kaplan University students pursue their education online, while 10% choose campus programs. Fifty-four percent of on-campus students took some online courses, an increase over last year (52%).
  • The average class size for undergraduate courses (online and campus) decreased in the academic year, from 21 students to 19 students whereas the graduate level course size remained nearly unchanged with 14 students.
  • Kaplan University continues to be a military-friendly university with 9,200 students being active military, veterans, or military spouses or dependents. This is a year-over-year increase from nearly 9,000 students, indicating the growing attractiveness of an online education for many military personnel.
  • The end-of-term student survey indicated 94% of respondents' instructors either met or exceeded criteria such as content knowledge, preparedness, and engagement to lead the course effectively.
  • From the survey of graduates: Ninety percent of respondents reported being satisfied with their experience at Kaplan University; over 88 percent indicated that the educational program at Kaplan University met their expectations; and 83 percent said they would recommend Kaplan University to others.

The report is available as a pdf or as an interactive flipbook.

For complete consumer information including details on how employment rates are calculated, please visit www.kaplanuniversity.edu/student-consumer-information.aspx.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves approximately 44,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education Group and Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. serves approximately 65,000 students online and through approximately 60 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan's higher education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan serves students of all ages through a wide array of offerings including higher education, test preparation, professional training and programs for kids in grades K-12. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company and is its largest division. For more information, visit www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

Kaplan University
Amy Hawkinson Director, Public Relations
Office: 954-515-3603
Mobile: 954-459-1324
ahawkinson@kaplan.edu