Kaplan IncEdit

Kaplan Inc is a major player in global education services, delivering a wide range of programs and products that aim to prepare students and professionals for academic success and workforce demands. The company operates across test preparation, language instruction, higher education partnerships, and continuing education for individuals and organizations. It is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company, the modern enterprise that emerged from the restructuring of The Washington Post Company. Over the decades Kaplan has grown from a tutoring and exam-prep brand into a diversified education-services platform with a global footprint.

Kaplan has built its reputation on scalable, outcomes-oriented offerings that emphasize practical skills and measurable results. Its businesses include standardized test preparation for exams such as college admissions tests, professional certifications, and language training, as well as online and in-person pathways for higher education and career development. A cornerstone of Kaplan’s evolution has been expanding its reach through international partnerships and online programs, while maintaining a focus on flexible delivery that appeals to nontraditional students and working professionals. For a sense of the corporate lineage, see Graham Holdings Company and the historical connection to The Washington Post.

Overview

Global reach and diversified services: Kaplan operates in multiple segments that serve students at different life stages, from school-aged test preparation to adult continuing education and workforce training. Key brands include Kaplan Test Prep and, in the realm of international education, Kaplan International pathways and partnerships.
Higher education and online programs: Kaplan’s former for-profit higher education arm was reorganized and restructured into partnerships with public degree-granting institutions, most notably Purdue University Global after a 2017–2018 transition. This move shifted part of Kaplan’s higher-education footprint toward a public online university model while preserving Kaplan’s broader test-prep and professional-education offerings.
Corporate structure: Kaplan remains part of Graham Holdings Company, the holding company created in the wake of the broader corporate reorganization of its historical parent. The arrangement ties Kaplan to a broader family of media, education, and services businesses.

History

Origins and growth (1930s–1980s): Kaplan’s roots trace back to the tutoring services launched in the late 1930s by founder Stanley Kaplan. The business expanded through the mid-to-late 20th century as demand for standardized-test preparation and related services grew. Kaplan’s early success built a platform that would later extend into broader education services.
Acquisition by a major media company (1980s–1990s): In 1984 the firm was acquired by a larger media and education group, integrating Kaplan into a broader portfolio of information services. This period helped Kaplan expand its scale and diversify its offerings beyond tutoring into formal test preparation, admissions consulting, and online materials.
Expansion and diversification (1990s–2010s): Kaplan broadened its footprint with online products, international reach, and partnerships designed to reach nontraditional students. The company developed extensive test-prep curricula, digital resources, and pathways intended to align with higher education and career-readiness goals.
Structural changes and the Purdue transition (2010s–present): In the 2010s, the parent company underwent corporate restructuring, resulting in Kaplan becoming part of Graham Holdings Company. A landmark development occurred in 2017–2018, when Kaplan University’s online degree programs were reorganized into Purdue University Global, a public online university formed in partnership with Purdue University. This transition preserved Kaplan’s brand in testing and professional education while aligning the higher-education component with a public university framework. Kaplan continues to provide test preparation, admissions services, and related offerings alongside Purdue University Global’s online degree programs and pathways.

Programs and Services

Kaplan Test Prep: A global brand focused on standardized testing for college admissions, graduate programs, and professional certifications, as well as related tutoring and preparatory resources. The unit emphasizes outcome-driven prep, practice materials, and instructor-led courses that accommodate flexible schedules.
Kaplan International and Pathways: International education services include language programs, pathway programs, and partnerships designed to facilitate entry into universities and colleges around the world. These offerings are aimed at students seeking to improve language proficiency and secure admission to higher-education programs.
Higher education and online learning: Following the Purdue arrangement, Kaplan’s higher-education footprint is bridged with a public university system via Purdue University Global, which provides online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral options, as well as certificates and credential programs. Kaplan continues to support online learning, curriculum development, and student services in collaboration with partner institutions.
Workforce training and professional development: Kaplan also serves corporate and professional markets with continuing education and skills-training programs designed to meet employer needs and regulatory requirements. These services cover a wide array of fields, from healthcare and IT to business and finance.

Corporate structure and ownership

Parent organization: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company, which traces its evolution to the broader restructuring of the original media group that formerly included the The Washington Post.
Relationships with educational institutions: The Purdue University Global relationship represents one of Kaplan’s most consequential strategic alignments in higher education, combining Purdue’s credentials with Kaplan’s online-platform capabilities and student-support services.
Global footprint: Kaplan’s operations span multiple countries and regions, reflecting an emphasis on scalable, technology-enabled education products and services that can be delivered online or in person.

Controversies and debates

For-profit education and accountability: Kaplan’s history intersects with broader debates about for-profit education, student outcomes, and federal funding. Critics have pointed to concerns about student debt, default rates, and the alignment of programs with labor-market demand. Advocates counter that flexible, career-focused education options can expand access to higher education and facilitate skills development, especially for working adults and nontraditional students.
Regulation and consumer protection: The sector has faced regulatory scrutiny over recruiting practices, disclosure standards, and program integrity. Proponents of market-driven education emphasize transparency, consumer choice, and the ability of private providers to drive innovation and efficiency, arguing that competition can improve quality and reduce costs. Critics argue that some private providers prioritize enrollment and short-term metrics over long-term outcomes. Kaplan and its partners have, like other institutions in this space, navigated these debates through compliance efforts and program adjustments.
Transition to public online models: The shift of Kaplan’s higher-education arm into Purdue University Global is often framed as a way to preserve access to online degree programs within a public university framework, potentially providing greater oversight and accountability while retaining flexibility for online learners. Observers note that this arrangement reflects broader policy discussions about the role of public investment, accreditation, and program quality in online higher education.
Language and accessibility: Kaplan’s international and language programs continue to play a role in global mobility and workforce readiness. Critics may raise questions about credential portability and the varying labor-market value of certificates and pathways, while supporters highlight the importance of language proficiency and adaptable learning routes in a global economy.