‘They Didn’t Care’: One University’s Online Partnership With 2U

https://www.chronicle.com/article/they-didnt-care-inside-one-universitys-sputtering-online-partnership-with-2u

"When a pair of professors stepped down from their posts at Arcadia University this year, without another job lined up, they did so to halt the creation of a physician-assistant program in partnership with 2U, the online-learning giant."

"“2U was basically trying to turn our PA program into a cash cow,” said a former professor, Ashley Bell, in an interview with The Chronicle."

Even the most prestigious schools are using their online programs as cash cows.

 

I would not say all online programs are cash cows. In my opinion, a cash cow does not put a limit on number of students they admit. Like Georgia Tech OMSA and OMSCS having hundreds, if not thousands, of students.

 

I agree. I should have said some prestigious schools are using some of their online programs as cash cows. USC is an example of a school doing so. A 100k plus 2U MSW with a poor reputation.

 

Absolutely. There are certainly schools doing so. I think the schools admitting 30-50 students in cohort model programs are not particularly cash cows. Especially if they provide solid career services and other things you normally only get in on-campus programs.