Adtalem Global Education

To empower students to achieve their goals by becoming the leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry.

Adtalem Global Education SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Adtalem Global Education was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The Adtalem SWOT Analysis reveals a company skillfully navigating a complex environment. Its core strength lies in Chamberlain's market dominance, which directly addresses the nation's severe nursing shortage—a powerful and durable opportunity. However, this strength creates a concentration risk. The key challenge is twofold: mitigating the persistent regulatory threats inherent to the for-profit sector while simultaneously stabilizing the recently acquired Walden asset. The strategic imperative is to leverage its scale and deep industry partnerships to create an unassailable moat. Success hinges on executing the Walden integration to unlock synergies, diversifying programmatically, and maintaining impeccable student outcomes to justify its model against political and competitive pressures. This strategy will secure its vision as the leading healthcare talent provider.

Grand Canyon Education Strategic Education Perdoceo Education Corporation 2U Inc. Coursera

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To empower students to achieve their goals by becoming the leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry.

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Strengths

ENROLLMENT: Chamberlain total enrollment grew 4.5% in the latest quarter.
MARGINS: Strong adjusted operating margin performance, exceeding guidance.
OUTCOMES: High medical residency attainment rates (97%) build credibility.
DIVERSIFICATION: Walden acquisition diversified revenue beyond just nursing.
PARTNERSHIPS: 225+ active healthcare system partners provide a hiring moat.

Weaknesses

DEPENDENCE: Heavy reliance on Chamberlain as primary growth/profit driver.
DEBT: Significant debt from Walden purchase limits financial flexibility.
MARKETING: High student acquisition costs relative to non-profit peers.
REGULATION: Constant navigation of complex Title IV and state regulations.
PERSISTENCE: Walden enrollment shows softness, needs improved persistence.

Opportunities

NURSING: Persistent, severe nursing shortage creates sustained demand.
B2B: Expanding employer partnerships for tuition reimbursement programs.
ONLINE: Post-pandemic acceptance of online learning for clinical fields.
SYNERGIES: Realizing further cost synergies from Walden integration.
TECHNOLOGY: Leveraging tech to improve student support and outcomes at scale.

Threats

REGULATION: 'Gainful Employment' rule changes pose significant risk to model.
COMPETITION: Non-profit universities aggressively marketing online programs.
ECONOMY: Inflation and interest rates may deter prospective student loans.
POLITICS: Negative political rhetoric targeting the for-profit sector.
INTEREST: Rising interest rates increase the cost of servicing debt.

Key Priorities

GROWTH: Capitalize on nursing demand via Chamberlain enrollment expansion.
INTEGRATION: Fully integrate Walden to stabilize enrollment and cut costs.
RISK: Proactively manage regulatory risks via compliance and lobbying.
PARTNERSHIPS: Deepen B2B healthcare system ties for enrollment pipelines.

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Adtalem Global Education OKR

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Adtalem OKR plan is a masterclass in focus and execution. It rightly centers on the core engine, 'DOMINATE NURSING,' while pragmatically addressing the largest drag on performance with 'FIX WALDEN.' The objectives are not just aspirational; they are direct, actionable commands. The key results are sharp, blending growth initiatives with crucial risk mitigation ('FORTIFY THE MODEL') and future-proofing ('SCALE PARTNERSHIPS'). This plan avoids vanity metrics and tackles the most critical value drivers and vulnerabilities identified in the strategic analysis. By linking AI initiatives to core goals like retention, it ensures technology serves the business, not the other way around. Executing this plan will strengthen the core, stabilize the portfolio, and solidify Adtalem's market leadership.

Grand Canyon Education Strategic Education Perdoceo Education Corporation 2U Inc. Coursera

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To empower students to achieve their goals by becoming the leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry.

DOMINATE NURSING

Expand our lead as the #1 source of nursing talent.

GROWTH: Increase total Chamberlain student enrollment by 6% year-over-year through targeted program expansion.
PIPELINE: Launch 25 new B2B partnerships with healthcare systems, adding 2,000 new student opportunities.
OUTCOMES: Improve the first-time NCLEX pass rate by 3 percentage points through enhanced academic support.
INNOVATION: Pilot AI-driven adaptive learning in 5 core nursing courses to improve student engagement metrics.

FIX WALDEN

Stabilize and return Walden to sustainable growth.

RETENTION: Increase Walden's student persistence rate from 78% to 82% via proactive AI-based advising.
ENROLLMENT: Reduce the rate of new student enrollment decline from -5% to -1% by optimizing marketing funnels.
SYNERGY: Realize an additional $15M in annualized cost synergies from the Walden operating model integration.
FOCUS: Sunset 10 underperforming non-healthcare programs to reallocate resources to growth areas.

FORTIFY THE MODEL

Strengthen our operational and regulatory foundation.

COMPLIANCE: Achieve 100% compliance on all new 'Gainful Employment' reporting standards ahead of deadlines.
EFFICIENCY: Reduce student acquisition cost by 5% while maintaining lead volume through marketing mix optimization.
DELEVERAGE: Pay down an additional $100M in debt to improve the company's net leverage ratio.
ADVOCACY: Secure meetings with 20 key policymakers to communicate our positive student outcome data.

SCALE PARTNERSHIPS

Become the indispensable talent partner for healthcare.

EXPANSION: Increase total revenue from B2B healthcare partners by 15% through deeper account penetration.
PLACEMENT: Secure 5,000 new clinical placement seats for our students by signing 10 new system-level agreements.
SOLUTIONS: Co-develop and launch 3 new custom upskilling/credentialing programs with top 5 B2B partners.
REACH: Expand our B2B sales team into 2 new geographic regions with high concentrations of healthcare providers.

METRICS

Total Student Enrollment: 145,000
Adjusted EBITDA Margin: 24.5%
Student Persistence Rate: 85%

VALUES

Integrity
Care
Teamwork
Accountability
Community

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Adtalem Global Education Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Grand Canyon Education Strategic Education Perdoceo Education Corporation 2U Inc. Coursera

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To empower students to achieve their goals by becoming the leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry.

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What Went Well

REVENUE: Revenue and adjusted EPS exceeded the high end of guidance range.
CHAMBERLAIN: Continued strong enrollment growth, particularly in BSN program.
MARGINS: Effective cost management led to better-than-expected margins.
DEBT: Progress made on deleveraging the balance sheet post-acquisition.
MEDICAL: Medical and Vet schools showed stable and predictable performance.

Not So Well

WALDEN: Walden segment continues to face enrollment challenges and declines.
ENROLLMENT: New student enrollment at Walden remains a significant headwind.
GUIDANCE: Forward-looking guidance implies continued softness in some areas.
MARKETING: High marketing spend required to maintain enrollment levels.
INTEGRATION: Synergies from Walden are materializing slower than hoped.

Learnings

FOCUS: The pure-play healthcare strategy is validated by Chamberlain's success.
MARKET: The market for online, non-clinical degrees (Walden) is very tough.
OPERATIONS: Cost discipline can effectively offset moderate revenue weakness.
B2B: Employer partnerships are a more resilient channel for enrollment.
BRAND: The Chamberlain brand has significant pricing power and demand.

Action Items

WALDEN: Execute turnaround plan for Walden focused on student persistence.
MARKETING: Optimize marketing spend towards highest-performing channels.
COSTS: Identify further cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.
B2B: Double down on expanding partnerships with large healthcare systems.
PRICING: Implement modest, strategic tuition increases where possible.

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Adtalem Global Education Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Founded: 1931 (as DeVry)
Market Share: Leading provider in U.S. nursing and medical degrees by enrollment.
Customer Base: Working adults seeking career advancement, primarily in healthcare.
Category:
For-Profit Education
SIC Code: 8221 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
NAICS Code: 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Zip Code: 60661 Chicago, Illinois
Congressional District: IL-7 CHICAGO
Employees: 10100

Competitors

Grand Canyon Education View Analysis

Strategic Education View Analysis

Perdoceo Education Corporation Request Analysis

2U Inc. Request Analysis

Coursera View Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Adtalem Global Education Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Problem

Critical shortage of qualified nurses/doctors
Lack of accessible pathways to clinical careers

Solution

Accredited online & hybrid healthcare degrees
Large-scale clinical placement partnerships

Key Metrics

Total student enrollment & persistence rates
Licensure pass rates (NCLEX, USMLE)

Unique

Largest U.S. provider of nursing degrees
Deep integration with healthcare employers

Advantage

Institutional accreditations (HLC, CCNE)
Brand trust built over decades of outcomes

Channels

Digital marketing (SEO, PPC)
B2B partnerships and employer channels

Customer Segments

Working adults seeking career change/advancement
Healthcare systems needing to upskill staff

Costs

Faculty compensation and benefits
Marketing and student acquisition costs

Adtalem Global Education Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 3, 2025

Adtalem Global Education addresses the critical healthcare talent shortage by providing the nation's largest pipeline of practice-ready nurses and doctors. Through trusted institutions like Chamberlain and Walden, it offers flexible, high-quality degree programs that lead to licensure and career success, empowering individuals and strengthening communities. It is the workforce solutions partner for the healthcare industry.

Accelerating your entry into a high-demand healthcare career.

Delivering superior academic outcomes that employers trust.

Providing flexible, supportive education designed for working adults.

Before State

Stuck in a low-wage, non-clinical job
Career path with limited upward mobility
Lack of professional credentials for growth

After State

Licensed healthcare professional (RN, MD, DVM)
Employed in a high-demand, stable career
Making a direct impact on patient lives

Negative Impacts

Financial instability and job insecurity
Inability to contribute to healthcare needs
Personal and professional unfulfillment

Positive Outcomes

Increased earning potential and job security
Fulfilling career in a respected field
Addresses critical national workforce shortages

Key Metrics

Student Persistence Rate

~80-85%

NCLEX First-Time Pass Rate

~75-80% (Chamberlain)

New Student Enrollment Growth

~3-5% Y/Y

G2 Reviews

N/A (Education Sector)

Medical Residency Attainment Rate

~95-98% (RUSM/AUC)

Requirements

Accredited and rigorous degree programs
Flexible learning options for working adults
Strong support for licensure and certification

Why Adtalem Global Education

Deliver high-quality online/hybrid curriculum
Secure extensive clinical placement partnerships
Provide robust student support and advising

Adtalem Global Education Competitive Advantage

Scale provides data for optimizing outcomes
Employer trust built over decades of grads
Regulatory approvals are a significant moat

Proof Points

Chamberlain is the #1 U.S. nursing school
97% medical residency attainment rate in 2023
225+ healthcare system partnerships

Adtalem Global Education Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Focus exclusively on high-demand medical fields.

Deepen B2B partnerships with healthcare systems.

Drive superior student outcomes and licensure rates.

Scale tech-enabled, personalized learning experiences.

What You Do

Provides career-focused higher education, specializing in healthcare.

Target Market

Aspiring and current healthcare professionals seeking degrees/credentials.

Differentiation

Unmatched scale in nursing and medical education.
Deep employer partnerships for clinical placements and hiring.

Revenue Streams

Student tuition and fees
Corporate partnership programs

Adtalem Global Education Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Segmented by institution: Chamberlain, Walden, Medical & Veterinary.
Supply Chain: Faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and clinical partnerships.
Tech Patents: Proprietary learning management systems and student support platforms.
Website: https://www.adtalem.com

Top Clients

Board Members

Adtalem Global Education Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: High barriers due to complex, lengthy, and expensive state and federal accreditation and regulatory approval processes.

Supplier Power

MODERATE: Power of qualified faculty (especially with terminal degrees) and clinical placement sites can dictate terms and costs.

Buyer Power

MODERATE: Students have many choices, but high switching costs once enrolled. B2B partners have negotiating power due to cohort size.

Threat of Substitution

MODERATE: Lower-cost certificates or non-degree credentials could substitute for full degrees, though professional licensure often requires degrees.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense rivalry from non-profit online programs (e.g., WGU, SNHU) and other for-profits (GCE, STRA) competing on price and flexibility.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 3, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Adtalem AI SWOT Analysis highlights a significant, untapped opportunity. Adtalem's greatest asset is its immense proprietary dataset on student performance, a powerful foundation for building defensible AI models. The primary objective should be leveraging AI for operational efficiency and improved student outcomes—two sides of the same coin. By creating AI-powered tutors and predictive retention tools, Adtalem can directly enhance its value proposition and justify its premium. The largest risk is not internal failure, but external disruption from more agile, AI-native competitors. Therefore, the strategic focus must be on practical, near-term AI applications that lower costs and boost retention, funding a long-term vision for personalized education at scale. This pragmatic approach will transform its data asset into a true competitive advantage.

Grand Canyon Education Strategic Education Perdoceo Education Corporation 2U Inc. Coursera

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To empower students to achieve their goals by becoming the leading provider of professional talent to the healthcare industry.

Strengths

DATA: Massive, proprietary dataset on student learning paths and outcomes.
SCALE: Ability to deploy and test AI solutions across 100k+ students.
PLATFORMS: Existing online learning infrastructure (LMS) to build upon.
CURRICULUM: Vast library of digital course content for AI to analyze/remix.
EXPERTISE: Subject matter experts can guide and validate AI model training.

Weaknesses

TALENT: Lack of a dedicated, in-house AI research and development team.
SYSTEMS: Legacy and disparate IT systems across brands hinder data access.
CULTURE: Risk-averse academic culture may resist AI-driven innovations.
INVESTMENT: Limited budget for large-scale AI R&D due to debt servicing.
ETHICS: Navigating ethical concerns of AI in admissions and grading.

Opportunities

ADAPTIVE: AI-powered adaptive learning to personalize student education.
SUPPORT: AI chatbots and tutors to provide 24/7 student support, boosting retention.
ADMISSIONS: AI models to predict student success and optimize admissions.
EFFICIENCY: Automating administrative tasks (grading, scheduling) for faculty.
CONTENT: Generative AI to accelerate new curriculum and course development.

Threats

COMPETITORS: Tech-native ed-tech firms using AI to offer cheaper credentials.
OBSOLESCENCE: AI could automate some healthcare roles, shifting demand.
BIAS: AI models trained on historical data could perpetuate biases.
SECURITY: Increased cybersecurity risks with AI system implementation.
REGULATION: New regulations governing the use of AI in education emerge.

Key Priorities

EFFICIENCY: Deploy AI to automate admin tasks and reduce operating costs.
RETENTION: Use AI-driven analytics to predict at-risk students and intervene.
PERSONALIZATION: Pilot adaptive learning tech in key Chamberlain courses.
ADMISSIONS: Develop AI models to improve student targeting and conversion.

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Adtalem Global Education Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Adtalem Global Education Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Adtalem Investor Relations Website & Presentations (May 2024)
Adtalem FY2023 10-K Report
Publicly available industry reports on the healthcare education market

Profit: FY24 Adj. EPS Guidance: $4.55 - $4.85

Market Cap: $2.5B (approx. as of early 2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on Adtalem Investor Relations website

Debt: Net Debt of ~$800M post-Walden acquisition

ROI Impact: Student outcomes and licensure pass rates are key ROI drivers.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

Adtalem scores as a solid Market Leader. Its ambition to solve the healthcare talent crisis is societal (85), but achievability is constrained by significant regulatory threats and integration challenges. The SWOT is balanced, with strong market demand (Upside) offset by high-risk regulatory and competitive pressures (Downside). The OKRs are strong and focused. A high AI leverage potential exists due to massive data assets. The final growth multiplier is tempered, reflecting a mature, regulated market.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 74.7 Risk: 78.7

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

Mitigate regulatory risk through superior student outcomes.

Successfully execute the Walden turnaround to unlock value.

Leverage AI to create a decisive student retention advantage.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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