Merger of Online Program Companies Suggests ‘Reset’ in the Market
Lauren Coffey
November 15, 2023
Academic Partnerships’ acquisition of Wiley’s online program business is latest change in tumultuous online program management market.
The tumultuous online program management market got another shake-up Tuesday, with Academic Partnerships’ $150 million deal to acquire Wiley’s online education business.
Academic Partnerships announced yesterday that it plans to acquire Wiley University Services. The deal is expected to close in early 2024.
“It’s a thesis of growth, of bringing two very good companies together and creating best-in-class capabilities that can help better support students and partners,” said Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Academic Partnerships.
According to a federal filing, the base purchase price is $110 million, plus $40 million in potential incentives based on the performance of the company.
Wiley declined an interview with Inside Higher Ed, but its interim CEO, Matthew Kissner, said in an emailed statement that the move helps it move toward a “simpler” model. The company bought its way into the OPM space in 2012 with the purchase of Deltek, followed by Learning House in 2018. The latter deal made Wiley one of the largest OPMs at the time, with 60 university partners and more than 700 online programs.
