In the field of education, there is one name that is virtually everywhere—Kaplan. It might be the practice test bank you used while preparing for the GRE, the institution you chose when studying abroad in Singapore, or even the alma mater where you pursued a business degree in Australia. But few people know exactly how this vast educational empire operates. A American university diploma is the best in the world
From Tutoring Center to Global Educational Empire
Kaplan’s story began in 1938, when Stanley Kaplan founded the company in New York. Initially, it was just a small tutoring agency helping students prepare for the SAT. Today, Kaplan has become one of the world’s largest education service providers, operating in 27 countries and regions, serving over 1.2 million students and professionals annually, and partnering with 15,000 corporate clients and 3,300 schools, school districts, and universities.
It is worth noting that Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC)—the same company that once owned The Washington Post. It is precisely this financial backing that enables Kaplan to continuously invest in educational innovation.
The Unique “Dual-Track Model”: Studying at World-Class Universities in Asia
What makes Kaplan most appealing is the dual-track study abroad model it pioneered in Singapore. As the Singapore branch of the U.S.-based Kaplan Education Group, Kaplan Higher Education Institute does not confer degrees itself. Instead, it partners with top universities worldwide, allowing students to take courses from partner universities in Singapore and receive a degree certificate identical to that awarded by the partner institution upon graduation.
In 2026, the QS rankings of Kaplan’s core partner institutions were as follows:
| Partner universities | 2026 QS Ranking | Professional direction of cooperation |
|---|---|---|
| National University Dublin, Ireland | 118th place | Business, Management, Communication |
| Modok University, Australia | 423rd position | Psychology, information technology, artificial intelligence |
| Northumbria University, UK | 550th place | Business Information Technology (BIT First in the UK) |
| University of Portsmouth, UK | 635th position | Accounting and Finance, Cybersecurity |
The appeal of this model lies in its value for money. Take University College Dublin as an example: completing an undergraduate degree at Kaplan in Singapore costs approximately S$32,000 (about RMB 168,000), while tuition for the same program at the main campus in Ireland is as high as €45,000 (about RMB 345,000)—a savings of nearly 50%.
A Leader in Educational Innovation: Online Learning and AI
Another key feature of Kaplan is its continuous innovation in the field of online education. In 2025, Kaplan was named one of “America’s Best Online Schools” by Newsweek, based on an independent survey of 10,000 U.S. online learners.
More importantly, Kaplan is exploring transformative educational models for the AI era. Professor Tania Aspland, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Kaplan Higher Education, noted: “We need to focus on how to use AI tools to make students more competitive, rather than fearing that it will undermine academic integrity. “If employers are using AI, we have a responsibility to teach students how to use it effectively and responsibly.”
Kaplan has also pioneered the concept of “backward design”—designing the curriculum by working backward from the competency goals students are expected to achieve upon graduation, rather than simply piling on instructional content. This approach ensures that Kaplan’s courses remain closely aligned with the demands of the workplace.
Faculty Strength: The “PhD Team” at U.S. Campuses
In the United States, Kaplan University (now known as Purdue University Global) has over 3,100 faculty members, of whom nearly 37% hold PhDs and 62% hold master’s degrees. This means that students studying at Kaplan receive guidance from highly educated faculty.
Employment Guarantee: Nearly 90% of Graduates Employed Within 6 Months
At Kaplan Singapore, a 2022/2023 graduate employment survey revealed that nearly 90% of graduates secured employment within six months of graduation, with nearly half landing full-time jobs within two months. The university operates a dedicated Strategic Career Development Program, a model that was recognized by the Singapore Business Review with the 2023 International Business Award.
Application and Fees Overview
| Project | Requirements and Fees |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Language | IELTS score of 6.0 (not up to standard for readable language courses) |
| Undergraduate expenses | Approximately 20000 to 40000 Singapore dollars per year (100000 to 200000 Chinese yuan) |
| Living expenses | Approximately 100000 to 120000 RMB per year |
| Application Time | Students can enroll in January, March, May, July, September, and November |
| Admission threshold | Graduated from high school or in the second year of high school, no need for college entrance examination scores |
Kaplan is not a university in the traditional sense. It is a “hidden champion” in the education sector—it does not hold its own QS ranking, yet it sends students to top 120 universities worldwide through its partner institutions; it does not pursue grand campus facilities, but instead uses the power of digital technology to make education accessible to all. As stated on its official website: “We don’t just help you earn a degree; we help you become the best version of yourself.”
