Adtalem to acquire online healthcare education provider Walden University

Adtalem Global Education (formerly DeVry Education Group), a US workforce solutions provider, has agreed to acquire Walden University, a Minnesota-based online healthcare education provider, from Laureate Education, for $1.48 billion in an all-cash deal.

Through the acquisition, Adtalem Global Education said that it will become a top healthcare educator in the US and enable it to offer comprehensive workforce solutions to employers.

It will also expand the capabilities of Adtalem Global Education by strengthening its online offerings, boost its learning experiences, and superior academic outcomes for students.

Lisa Wardell – chairman and CEO of Adtalem Global Education said: “During my tenure as CEO, we have worked to focus Adtalem’s portfolio and to divest those businesses that were not aligned with our long-term growth strategy. The acquisition of Walden University is a pivotal step in Adtalem’s transformation to a workforce solutions provider, solving increasingly complex talent supply challenges for healthcare providers.

“With a wide breadth of online, on-campus and hybrid healthcare program offerings, this acquisition will significantly expand our national healthcare education footprint and will further enable us to reimagine the future of healthcare education at a time when global health has never been a greater priority. Importantly, this compelling transaction also builds on our commitment to providing greater access to education, particularly for students of diverse backgrounds and those from underrepresented demographics.”

Adtalem to acquire online healthcare education provider Walden University. Image courtesy of Adtalem Global Education.

Adtalem Global Education said that the addition of Walden University will help it turn into an even more strategically focused business that has considerable scale in healthcare. By adding the online healthcare education provider to its existing healthcare portfolio, the company s said to be better positioned to ramp up the supply of talent to address the quickly growing and unmet demand for healthcare professionals in the US and across the world.

Adtalem Global Education’s existing portfolio includes American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, and Ross University School of Medicine.

Eilif Serck-Hanssen – President and CEO of Laureate Education said: “Walden University was a pioneer in distance education, and today – 50 years later – it remains a leader in digital learning in higher education. We are incredibly proud of Walden’s legacy of creating affordable access to quality graduate education through an unwavering commitment to innovation and student outcomes.

“Walden University provides its more than 52,000 students with the tools to transform themselves so they can have a positive impact on their communities and the world.”

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval from the US Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission and other customary closing conditions, is expected to occur toward the end of next year.