# Barista Bachelor Initiatives Starbucks is Offering to Cover Tuition at Arizona State for Employees By Alyson Wyers | Published 2015-06-19 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cover-tuition References: [forbes](http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward/2015/04/06/from-barista-to-bachelors-starbucks-asu-partnership-offers-full-4-year-online-college-degrees/?utm_campaign=Forbes&utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=social&utm_channel=Leadership&linkId=13373784) & [asuonline.asu.edu](https://asuonline.asu.edu/starbucks-and-arizona-state-university) While some workplaces offer to reimburse you for classes you take to advance your career or help you in a specific position, this [ubiquitous coffee chain](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-coffee-house) is helping their baristas get their bachelor degrees by offering to cover tuition for a four year education. [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-and-nhs-charities-together) is doing this in partnership with [Arizona State University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arizona-and-mattel) and their online college programs. This isn't just limited to salaried workers either, this is open to all part-time and full-time workers. The corporate and academic alliance addresses rising student loan debts and disadvantaged young people who simply cannot afford an undergraduate education. Starbucks announced they will pledge $250 million to cover tuition costs and help 25,000 workers graduate in the next decade. Currently over 70% of Starbucks employees don't hold a bachelor degree. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Corporate Education Initiatives:** Businesses can partner with universities to offer employees tuition reimbursement or coverage to help with education costs. - **Expanding Education Access:** Companies can aim to provide education opportunities to disadvantaged young people to help with the high cost of education and student loan debts. - **Targeted Workforce Development:** Employers can offer education initiatives to specific groups of workers, like part-timers or those without bachelor's degrees. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Hospitality:** Other employers in the hospitality industry can follow Starbucks' lead and offer similar education initiatives to their workers. - **Retail:** Companies in the retail sector can offer education opportunities to their employees to help with career advancement and development. - **Education:** Universities and schools can work with businesses to provide educational opportunities to employees or offer more accessible online and distance learning programs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Complimentary Coffee Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-and-nhs-charities-together.md) - [Coffee-Focused Education Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2025-educational-programming.md) - [GenAI Coffeehouse Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-green-dot-assist.md) - [Educational Pharmacy Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walgreens-pharmstart.md) - [Large-Scale Barista Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-barista-champion.md) - [Healthcare Worker Coffee Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-starbucks-coffee.md) - [Reusable Cup Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collaborative-reuse-project.md) - [Entertainment Industry Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-studio.md) - [QSR Hunger Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foodshare-program.md)