Kaplan University
Kaplan University is the name now used by the Iowa College Acquisition Corporation, a company that owns and operates independent, private, for-profit colleges. Kaplan University is predominantly a distance learning institution of higher education that is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University offers associates, bachelors and masters degrees as well as certificates in fields such as education, business, information technology, arts and sciences, healthcare, nursing, criminal justice, and law.
Hamilton College was originally established by Ward Hamilton in Mason City, Iowa, in 1900 as a business school. This makes it the oldest continuously operating college in the state of Iowa specializing in business education. In 1980, Hamilton opened a campus in Cedar Rapids. A third campus was established in Des Moines in 1988. In 1998, Hamilton College was purchased by Quest Education Corporation, which was later acquired by Kaplan, Inc. and renamed Kaplan Higher Education Corporation. Shortly thereafter the Nebraska College of Business and the Lincoln School of Commerce, also owned by Quest, were renamed Hamilton College-Omaha and Hamilton College-Lincoln respectively. Hamilton College continued to expand, adding campuses in Cedar Falls in 2000 and Council Bluffs in 2004. Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Cedar Rapids campus - March 12, 2002. In November 2007, Hamilton College officially changed its name to Kaplan University.