Dive Brief:
- Nearly 4,000 Starbucks employees have applied to Arizona State University’s online program that begins Oct. 15.
- The Starbucks tuition reimbursement program attracted significant publicity in June, along with some criticism. Starbucks employees working at least 20 hours a week can have their Arizona State tuition reimbursed, if they enroll in the online program as juniors or seniors.
- This fall, the ASU Online program is expected to have 13,000 students enrolled.
Dive Insight:
Critics say the Starbucks program leaves its employees in danger of being on the hook for significant college debt if their work hours drop below 20 per week. Also, students have to find a way to pay for the first 21 credit hours before Starbucks will begin reimbursement. Arizona State’s undergraduate tuition for its online program is $480 to $543 per credit hour.