Apollo Education Group, Inc. was a corporation based in the United States that owned several for-profit educational institutions. One of its most well-known subsidiaries was the University of Phoenix, which offered a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, predominantly online.
Founded in 1973 by John Sperling, Apollo Education Group grew rapidly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, becoming one of the largest for-profit education companies in the world. The University of Phoenix, in particular, became synonymous with the rise of online education and non-traditional learning formats.
However, the company faced significant scrutiny and criticism over the years, particularly regarding its recruitment practices, student loan default rates, and academic quality. This scrutiny intensified amidst broader debates about the role and ethics of for-profit education institutions in the United States.
In 2017, Apollo Education Group was acquired by a consortium of investors including The Vistria Group, LLC and funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC. As a result of the acquisition, the company became privately held and no longer traded on the stock exchange.
The story of Apollo Education Group reflects broader trends and controversies within the for-profit education sector, highlighting issues related to student debt, academic standards, and the role of private capital in education.
Apollo Education Group, Inc. was a corporation based in the United States that owned several for-profit educational institutions. One of its most well-known subsidiaries was the University of Phoenix, which offered a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, predominantly online.
Founded in 1973 by John Sperling, Apollo Education Group grew rapidly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, becoming one of the largest for-profit education companies in the world. The University of Phoenix, in particular, became synonymous with the rise of online education and non-traditional learning formats.
However, the company faced significant scrutiny and criticism over the years, particularly regarding its recruitment practices, student loan default rates, and academic quality. This scrutiny intensified amidst broader debates about the role and ethics of for-profit education institutions in the United States.
In 2017, Apollo Education Group was acquired by a consortium of investors including The Vistria Group, LLC and funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management, LLC. As a result of the acquisition, the company became privately held and no longer traded on the stock exchange.
The story of Apollo Education Group reflects broader trends and controversies within the for-profit education sector, highlighting issues related to student debt, academic standards, and the role of private capital in education.