LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC. (LAUR) is a global network of degree-granting higher education institutions. Its institutions offer a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and specialized degree and diploma programs in a variety of academic disciplines. They provide students with a superior, student-focused education based on their unique interests, ambitions, and learning styles.
The company's history spans over three decades, and in that time, it has grown from a small institution with less than a dozen students to a massive network that serves hundreds of thousands of students across many countries around the world. It operates through two segments, Traditional Higher Education (THE), and Services (Arkansas, Mexico, the U.K, Online).
LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC. was founded in 1989 and is currently headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Its leadership team, guided by their mission to expand access to higher education, has been factoring in the local cultural, economic, and social context to provide an environment conducive for academic and personal growth.
The company is also a Benefit Corporation, making it one of a relatively small number of public companies that are both focused on generating profits and creating a positive impact on society. They demonstrate this by putting special emphasis on offering programs that help address critical societal needs in areas such as healthcare, education, business, and engineering. They have also made strides in sustainable initiatives and reducing their environmental footprint.
LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC. went public in 2017 and trades under the symbol LAUR on the stock exchange. However, their journey to the public market wasn't entirely smooth, having faced several bumps, including changes in the regulatory environment and criticisms about their business practices and outcomes for students.
In spite of the above, LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC. remains fully committed to its mission of making quality higher education accessible, attracting students from all over the world to become part of their community. Many of their institutions are recognized for academic quality and have earned national and international accreditation, further validating their commitment to education excellence.