Insights
Transforming Lives Through Education: Data and Stories from 2U's 2023 Transparency and Outcomes Report
Education transforms lives. At 2U, we see this every day—through the determination of learners, the passion of our university and industry partners, and the market-relevant programs we support that empower people to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.
This belief in the power of education is at the heart of our fifth annual Transparency & Outcomes Report. Reflecting on 2023—”The Year AI Rewired the World”—it highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and progress. The report provides a glimpse into the lives of learners who inspire us, the partnerships that make their journeys possible, and the data demonstrating the tangible impact of education in action.
The report has four sections:
- Learner Impact, featuring stories of personal growth and achievement
- Partner Innovation, highlighting how public-private partnerships expand opportunities and break barriers
- Employer Trends, exploring how we’re adapting to meet the evolving needs of the workforce
- Societal Demands, covering how we’re addressing skill shortages to fill critical roles in fields like nursing, mental health, and sustainability
More than just a look back, the report is a guide to the path ahead—a reminder of the power education has to create brighter futures for individuals and communities alike.
A Commitment to Sharing Outcomes
Our fifth report reaffirms a pledge we made to transparency in 2020, providing data on how 2U-supported programs are meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world.
In 2023, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a transformative force in education, and 2U was ready. We expanded:
- AI-related offerings to over 450 programs, with enrollments in AI-related executive education surging 424% and
- access to Xpert, our AI-powered personal tutor, which was recognized as a breakthrough innovation by Fast Company for its ability to help learners navigate complex concepts in real-time.
Beyond AI, the data in this report tell a broader story. In 2023,
- we connected over 83 million learners to 4,500 educational offerings and
- achieved strong outcomes across programs: a 73% graduation rate for degree, 76% for boot camp, and 90% for executive education.
Real Stories of Impact
While the data tells one side of the story, it’s the experiences of real learners that drive our commitment to making a global impact. The report includes stories like Niaomi’s, a current student in The George Washington University's online Master of Public Health (MPH) program, powered by 2U. Niaomi was serving as a caregiver to her mother with sickle cell disease when she witnessed firsthand how healthcare systems often fail those who need them most. Now, as she pursues her MPH, Niaomi is mitigating health inequities and tackling maternal mortality, turning her mission into meaningful change.
After my MPH, I hope to enroll in a doctoral program and become not only an advocate but an agent of change for marginalized demographics.— Niaomi, Current Student, GW MPH
And stories like Kieron’s, who was inspired to continue to pursue his passion for learning through Harvard University’s CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course, powered by 2U. While his career began in the culinary arts as a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant, Kieron pivoted to a tech career, using the skills he gained through CS50 to become a Data Collection Engineer. His journey underscores how the right opportunity at the right time can open new doors, reshaping not only careers but lives.
Programming is a process I love, and the beautiful part about this industry is that there are endless possibilities in what I can learn.— Kieron, Graduate, Harvard CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Partnerships That Drive Progress
Behind every learner’s success is a network of educators and institutions committed to making education more accessible, affordable, and impactful. Our partnerships, several of which are featured in the report, illustrate how education innovation can break down barriers and expand opportunities.
Partnerships like those with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Together, we’ve created sustainability-themed executive education courses that have enrolled over 29,000 learners since 2017. These programs equip leaders across industries with the tools to drive meaningful change, from managing supply chains to reducing carbon footprints.
Decisive global action is required from leaders to address the sustainability crisis and drive change on a systemic level. Our partnership with 2U has enabled CISL to educate and motivate business leaders at scale to have a positive impact.— CISL Interim Portfolio Director Paul Smit
These highlights are just a glimpse of what our data shows. For a deeper dive into the broader trends shaping the future of education, we encourage you to explore the complete Transparency & Outcomes Report.
Looking Ahead
In 2024, we built on this momentum, increasing our learner network to over 91 million and crossing the milestone of over 66,000 graduates from 2U-supported degree programs. More data and stories from this past year will be shared in our next report, published in 2025.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey—learners, educators, and partners—thank you. Let’s continue shaping the future of education together, one story at a time.
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