#USA #Tempe #AI Education #Arizona State University #ASU EdPlus

ASU EdPlus Report: A Year of Transformation and Growth

On September 9, 2026, ASU EdPlus unveiled its "Impact by the Numbers" report for fiscal year 2026, highlighting significant innovations that have expanded Arizona State University's global presence. With record enrollment figures, deepened international partnerships, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), the report outlines the strides made by ASU EdPlus in its mission to democratize education.

The findings of this year’s report reflect a successful translation of ASU's commitments into tangible growth metrics. ASU Online saw a surge in enrollment, attracting over 118,000 students from 185 countries, compared to just 107,000 from 170 countries the previous year. This increase encompasses more than 30,900 graduate students and approximately 87,100 undergraduates, alongside the Earned Admission program, which welcomed over 11,000 new students.

Phil Regier, the university dean and CEO of ASU EdPlus, remarked, "Seventeen consecutive years of growth do not happen by coincidence. This success allows a parent to finish a degree after putting their children to bed or lets a soldier earn credits while deployed. We have designed our programs to fit seamlessly into people's lives rather than forcing them to rearrange their lives around education."

In addition to increased enrollment, ASU EdPlus has seen growth in its global partnerships. The immersive learning platform, Dreamscape Learn, now offers 47 experiences among fields such as biology, geology, and business. Since its inception in 2020, this platform has facilitated over 60,000 unique student experiences.

The e-SHE initiative, aimed at enhancing higher education in Ethiopia through instructional design and digital literacy training, has seen impressive numbers as well, reaching 3.1 million course enrollments—up from 2 million—with instructor training completions increasing to 36,000. Additionally, Baobab, a learning community for young African leaders sponsored by ASU EdPlus, boasts a significant rise to 94,000 registered members and 90,000 course enrollments.

Another highlight is the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, which offers eligible employees of Starbucks the chance to earn a bachelor's degree through ASU's top-ranked online program. After celebrating its 12th anniversary, the program has produced nearly 20,000 graduates and currently serves 27,000 enrolled partners.

The ASU EdPlus report also addresses an expansion in military education partnerships. The Air Force Global College has successfully enrolled 120,000 students since its launch in 2020, while new initiatives like ArmyU quickly gained traction, enrolling over 3,000 students within six months.

Casey Evans, COO of ASU EdPlus, explained that bringing higher education to accessible locations ensures higher engagement from learners. Evans stated, "When education is made available where people are already active, they are more inclined to participate in learning. Our task is to continuously seek out new industry partnerships and reach corners of the globe where a degree from ASU remains attainable, regardless of a person's employment or geographical location."

As ASU EdPlus looks to the future, artificial intelligence will play a crucial role in personalizing education and equipping students for a rapidly evolving workforce. Platforms like NeoSTEM, which leverage AI-assisted authoring to develop course content swiftly, demonstrate the direction that ASU EdPlus is headed towards faster, more adaptive, and affordable academic pathways.

The upcoming phases of growth will continue to build on the model that promotes limitless education that is accessible to individuals everywhere. ASU EdPlus remains committed to expanding access through innovative technologies, new partnerships, and market expansion efforts.

For more insights, the entire report is accessible in the ASU EdPlus newsroom.

About ASU EdPlus

ASU EdPlus is dedicated to transforming education through innovation, aligning with the ASU Charter. The organization focuses on designing new strategies that enhance human potential and institutional capabilities, creating a digital environment that supports learners, their families, and communities across the globe.