U of I seeks regents’ approval to end talks with University of Phoenix 

MOSCOW, Idaho — At a special meeting Thursday, June 5, University of Idaho will ask its Board of Regents to approve a termination agreement that will end talks with University of Phoenix (UOPX). The requested agreement, if passed, will:

• End discussions of purchasing UOPX.
• Pay a termination fee of $17.24 million, with credit for the $5 million already paid for the extension agreement in June 2024. This will fully reimburse U of I for out-of-pocket expenditures incurred while working toward closing the transaction.

U of I first began exploring possible options to affiliate with UOPX in the spring of 2023. U of I saw an opportunity to expand its reach to adult learners and learn from UOPX’s advanced technology and online student support systems to better serve Idahoans. UOPX also partners with industries to deliver workforce training in ways U of I hoped would further benefit Idaho.

Legal challenges around the open meetings laws from the Idaho attorney general, as well as concerns from the Idaho Legislature about process and authority, pushed the conversations past the first agreement deadline. An extension to continue conversations was signed in June 2024. This gave the parties another year to work toward a close that would have Four Three Education Inc., a not-for-profit entity, purchase UOPX. That extension also provided U of I with $5 million at the time of signing and, in return, opened the door for UOPX to explore other options.  

“Although we continue to see great value in University of Phoenix, it has become cost prohibitive, and potentially distracting to our other work, to continue conversations,” U of I President Scott Green said. “We respect the University of Phoenix and wish them all the best. We appreciate their commitment to these conversations, and we learned many things we may be able to incorporate into our work.”

U of I remains committed to its mission of serving Idaho’s students, industries and citizens. U of I has:

• Achieved eight consecutive semesters of enrollment growth.
• Been ranked the No. 1 Best Value Public University in the West for five years running.
• Achieved its $500 million fundraising goal, the largest nonprofit campaign in the history of the state.
• Joined the top 4% of colleges and universities in the nation as a Carnegie R1 research institution.

Media contact

Jodi Walker
Executive Director of Communications
208-885-4295
jwalker@uidaho.edu