Kaplan University is a private for-profit university based in Davenport, Iowa. It maintains several campuses and learning centers in other states. It was established in 1937 as the American Institute of Commerce before it was eventually renamed as Quest College. It adapted its present name in 2000 after the acquisition of the school by Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of Washington Post Company.
Kaplan University is primarily a distance learning institution of higher education. Its main administration building can be found at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its campuses are spread throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, and Maine while its Learning Centers can be found in Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland, and Missouri. The academic programs of Kaplan University are organized into ten schools namely Arts and Sciences, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Health Sciences, Information Systems and Technology, Legal Studies, Nursing, Kaplan Continuing Education, and the Concord Law School of Kaplan.
Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It has also been granted approval in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Areas of study offered by Arts and Sciences at Kaplan University include Public Administration, Educational Psychology, Psychology Communication, Early Childhood Development, Human Services, Liberal Studies, Public Administration and Policy, Educational Paraprofessional, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Addiction.
Business program choices include Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Management, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Project Management, and National Security Administration.
Criminal Justice programs include Criminal Justice Administration and Management, Fire and Emergency Services, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Fire Science, International and Comparative Criminal Justice, Corrections, Crime Scene Technician, and Private Security.
Education Programs consist of Teaching-IOWA Certification, Teaching-Nationwide, Higher Education, Education in Instructional Technology, Educational Psychology, K-12 Educational Leadership, Instructional Design for Organization, Literacy and Language Teaching, Mathematics Teaching, Online College Teaching, and Teaching with Technology.
The Health Sciences Division offers Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Health Education, Health and Wellness, Health Science, Nutrition Science, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Management, and Medical Transcription.
Legal Studies include Environmental Policy, Environmental Policy and Management, Paralegal Studies, Political Science, and Legal Secretary. Concord Law offers the Juris Doctor, Executive Juris Doctor, and LLM while the Nursing Division offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in Nursing as well as several certificate courses.
The Technology Division offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in Information Technology.
Being a military-friendly school, tuition rates at Kaplan University have been made more affordable to military students. Active Duty undergraduate programs provide 45% discount for Business and Information Technology Programs and 55% discount on the other programs resulting to a cost per credit of only $165.00.
Veterans’ undergraduate programs offer 24% discount for Business and Information technology programs and 38% discount for the remaining programs resulting to a cost per credit of $ 230.00 per credit.
Tuition discounts for graduate programs range from 12% to 22% depending on the program of study and military status. Kaplan University participates in the Yellow-Ribbon Program and accepts military benefits under the Military Tuition Assistance, Montgomery G.I. Bill, and Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Federal student aid is available to those not eligible for military tuition assistance.
Total number of students is estimated at 64,112 including on-campus and online students. Male/female ratio is 25%:75%. Kaplan University is not a member of any athletic conference.