The University of Phoenix recently announced that it will downsize its physical presence to just its main campus in Phoenix, Arizona by 2025. That’s right: the University is phasing out all but one of its physical campuses.
The University of Phoenix says that all students who are currently enrolled in in-person learning will still receive instruction. The University of Phoenix isn’t enrolling any new students in in-person learning, though, which will allow it to switch to an almost 100% online learning experience in the process.
Learn why the University of Phoenix is phasing out its campuses and what it means for the future of the University.
Why Is The University of Phoenix Phasing Out Physical Campuses?
University of Phoenix is not closing but will phase out all physical campuses after all students currently enrolled in those campuses complete their programs.
The University of Phoenix isn’t “closing” — it’s just moving to a strictly digital model. The University of Phoenix has had a physical presence across the United States for decades. However, now the University plans to phase out physical locations through 2025.
There were several reasons for the change, but it’s largely because of the University’s robust remote setup, student preferences, and real estate.
The University of Phoenix Is Already A Leader In At-Home Education
In 1989, the University of Phoenix started offering remote courses through correspondence. Fortunately, it’s way easier to do remote learning now that everything is so digitized.
Since the University of Phoenix was able to easily shift to remote learning during the pandemic, its team realized how easy it would be to move to an all-online model. Instead of requiring students to drive to a physical campus to learn — in addition to work and family life — the University could give its learners more flexibility.
Students Prefer Remote Learning
The University of Phoenix has offered remote learning since 1989 because it’s so much more flexible. And after learning remotely during the pandemic, many University of Phoenix students realized they prefer to learn from the comfort of their own homes.
In fact, 97% of University of Phoenix students say they prefer online courses. With fewer people signing up for in-person courses, the decision to close its physical campuses was the next logical step for the University.
Real Estate Overhead
Many University of Phoenix campuses had to completely shut down for two years because of COVID-19. With more students opting for digital learning, the University quickly realized that its investment in real estate properties across the country didn’t make sense for this new reality.
The University still has plants to keep its original headquarters in Phoenix, but with a smaller physical footprint. Most University staff are also transitioning to remote work, and any in-person office staff will work on the sixth floor of the University of Phoenix campus. The rest of the property will be leased to other businesses.
What The University of Phoenix Teach-Outs Mean
Before the announcement, University of Phoenix had around 2,000 students at each of its campuses, although that number is currently around 50 to 100 as the phase-out continues. This is because the University of Phoenix allows students who signed up for in-person teaching to receive their degrees in the manner they enrolled for — but in-person classes won’t be an option for new students going forward.
Twenty locations will phase out as students complete their degrees, including locations in Detroit, Tucson, El Paso, and Albuquerque. This also affects the University’s learning centers in the Woodlands and San Bernardino.
Continuing A Legacy Of Innovation
The University of Phoenix is on a long-term path that allows it to go all-in on digital learning. It began phasing out its physical campuses in 2021, but its current teach-out plan ensures that in-person learning will slowly phase out. With campuses closing across the US in California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Texas, the University of Phoenix has its eyes set on a brighter future as an almost exclusively online university. The University of Phoenix has always been a pioneer in online education, and this move to digital-first learning allows it to offer even more flexible degree paths for learners across the United States.