In the United States, many students start at community colleges with the goal of transferring to four-year universities, but only
16% of them earn bachelor’s degrees within six years
. However, Campus, a modern online alternative to traditional community colleges, is working to change this statistic.
Despite teaching at prestigious universities like UCLA, Princeton, and NYU, many adjunct professors earn low salaries, with a quarter of them qualifying for some form of
government assistance
. Recognizing this, Campus founder Tade Oyerinde was inspired to give all students access to top professors at an affordable price.
Investors have shown great interest in Campus, with the company recently raising a $23 million Series A extension round led by Founders Fund and 8VC.
Campus has recruited adjunct professors from prestigious colleges, paying them higher than the national average at $8,000 per course. With a yearly cost of $7,200, Campus offers free education to students qualifying for federal Pell Grants, covering about 40% of students.
All Campus students receive a laptop, Wi-Fi, access to tutors, and are paired with coaches to ensure academic success. Enrollment is rapidly increasing as students view Campus as a gateway to a four-year program.
After securing significant funding, including a previous $29 million Series A, Campus continues to expand its offerings, including on-site courses in various disciplines at their physical college in Sacramento.
Tech-like margins
The new funding from the Founders Fund-led Series A extension will drive Campus’s growth, leveraging its scalable tech platform for cost efficiency. This approach has attracted investors and resembles tech industry margins.
At Campus, each class maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 75:1, emphasizing efficiency and aligning with a tech-driven business model.
Unlike for-profit colleges with a tarnished history, Campus is committed to low-cost education, avoiding student debt and aligning with the goals of federal Pell Grants.
Campus’s primary focus is on affordable education and student success, while facing challenges in recruiting coaches to support students on their academic journey.
