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June 04, 2010 6:12 PM Always (Relatively) Low Prices

By Daniel Luzer

Apparently now a college education is part of the college benefits package of some Wal-Mart employees. According to an article by Stephanie Clifford and Stephanie Rosenbloom in the New York Times:

The partnership with American Public University, a for-profit school with about 70,000 online students, will allow some Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club employees to earn credits in areas like retail management and logistics for performing their regular jobs.

Wal-Mart employees will receive a 15 percent tuition reduction from the school, which, despite its name, is a private, for-profit company. Tuition at the school is currently $250 per undergraduate credit hour. That’s $212.50 with the Wal-Mart discount. The average community college, in contrast, currently costs about $79 per credit hour.

Eduardo Castro-Wright CEO of Wal-Mart Stores USA, said the APU program “reflects the kind of company we are.”

Daniel Luzer is the web editor of the Washington Monthly. Follow him on Twitter at @Daniel_Luzer.