Walmart to Pay for College Benefits for 1.4 Million Employees

Like McDonald’s in the fast food industry, Walmart has become a symbol of low wages in the retail industry. The chain has long been a target of scorn for liberals, particularly among those advocating for a higher minimum wage, or labor unions.

Ironically, it’s Republican policies doing more for Walmart workers today than a decade of liberal activism. Walmart raised their company minimum wage to $11 after Trump signed tax reform into law, and now they’re offering education benefits, with a catch. All employees at Walmart and Sam’s Club are eligible for the assistance, which can be put towards an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, but only to major in supply chain management or another business related field. (RELATED: Walmart Raises Minimum Wage to $11, Dishes Out $1,000 Bonuses).

According to CNBC:

The cost to workers will be just $1 a day. This small investment is a way to increase completion rates says Erica Jones, Walmart’s senior manager of communications. “What research has found is that when people have a personal investment in their education and in empowering and engaging themselves, they’re more apt to finish,” she explains to CNBC. “So that $1 a day is kind of that skin in the game. They’re essentially having their education paid for but it’s also their own investment.”

Indeed, at just $365 a year, the cost of earning a college degree for a Walmart employee is less than the average cost of a single college credit.

Workers can choose to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or supply chain management from the University of Florida, Brandman University and Bellevue University — nonprofit schools selected for their high graduation rates among working students, as well as their online offerings.

There are only three physical campuses to choose from, so most will likely be enrolled online. Walmart says they expect 68,000 employees to sign up right away, and there are no GPA requirements for students once enrolled. While some liberals have called for making public colleges tuition-free, it’s an increasing trend that even low-end employers are beginning to offer tuition benefits. Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Chipotle have recently started offering employees similar benefits (with different caveats). 

Are the Trump tax cuts responsible for Walmart helping its employees pay for college? Share your thoughts below! 

By Matt

Matt is the co-founder of Unbiased America and a freelance writer specializing in economics and politics. He’s been published... More about Matt

Mentioned in this article: