Breaking Down Barriers to Higher Education: Campus Raises $23 Million to Revolutionize Online Learning

While many students in the United States aim to transfer from community colleges to four-year universities, only 16% of them receive bachelor’s degrees within six years. However, one online alternative to traditional community colleges is working towards changing this statistic.

Campus: A New Approach to Higher Education

Campus, an innovative online platform, has developed a unique approach to making high-quality education accessible and affordable for all students. Founded by Tade Oyerinde, Campus aims to bridge the gap between the nation’s top universities and underserved communities. By partnering with adjunct professors from esteemed institutions like UCLA, Princeton, and NYU, Campus is able to offer courses at an affordable price point of $7,200 per year.

A Sustainable Business Model

One of the key differentiators of Campus is its business model, which prioritizes sustainability over profit margins. Unlike traditional for-profit colleges, Campus focuses on keeping costs low and ensuring that students graduate with minimal debt. This approach has not only garnered attention from investors but also earned Campus a spot as one of the most promising edtech startups in the industry.

Investor Confidence

The recent $23 million Series A extension round led by Founders Fund, with 8VC participating, is a testament to the company’s potential for growth. This investment will be used to fuel expansion and further develop Campus’ scalable tech platform. Partner Trae Stephens of Founders Fund highlighted the company’s innovative approach, stating, "I think the structure is kind of a hack… You can get the cost low enough that there are no out-of-pocket costs."

A Dark Past: Lessons from Traditional For-Profit Colleges

The edtech industry has historically been wary of backing traditional academic institutions due to their checkered past. In 2019, University