: Purdue leaders determined it would be faster and more effective to buy an established online infrastructure rather than building one from scratch.

: While the university became a public institution, Kaplan, Inc. (a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company ) remained as a long-term business partner.

In 2017, Purdue University made the groundbreaking decision to acquire the for-profit Kaplan University for a nominal fee of $1, transforming it into the public online entity now known as Purdue University Global . This "education marriage" was designed to leapfrog Purdue into the competitive online market and expand access for adult and non-traditional learners. The Logistics of the Deal

: Purdue paid exactly $1 to acquire Kaplan’s academic operations.

The deal has faced significant scrutiny from faculty and external observers regarding transparency and financial outcomes:

: Kaplan receives a percentage of revenue for providing "back-office" services, including marketing, technology support, and financial aid administration for a 30-year term. Motivations and Strategy

: The move was intended to create an additional revenue stream at a time of uncertain state funding. Performance and Criticism