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Compelling Curriculum

Every course integrates practical AI skills and emerging technologies, ensuring you're learning what employers need today and tomorrow in our AI economy.

Radically Affordable

At just $300 per month, we've made future-focused education accessible to everyone, with no hidden fees or textbook costs.

Flexible and Stackable

Start any day, learn at your own pace, and stack credentials as you go—because your education should fit your life, not the other way around.

First-class Faculty

Learn from industry practitioners and AI experts who bring real-world experience and cutting-edge knowledge directly to your learning experience.

Our radically affordable tuition is only $300 per month. No fees. No textbook costs. A simple subscription. Just great learning and great faculty.

We believe that access to a high-quality, effective education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt.

Average public, in-state college tuition is $9,750¹.
Yearly tuition at Newstate University is $3,600.

Newstate University is disrupting the historical higher education model—and its out-of-control cost—while providing access to real-world AI curriculum, expert faculty, and a community for networking.

Led innovation

Led groundbreaking initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation, including the first community college MOOC in the nation at Cuyahoga Community College, presenting on the efforts at MIT. Conducted research in Competency-Based Education practices, and engaged in the Breakthrough Models Incubator.

Designed and built programs

Designed and launched programs and courses at major universities, including Louisiana State University, Ohio University, Rutgers University, Southern New Hampshire University, and University California, San Diego.

Researched and published

Led work on microcredentials, workforce preparation, and student-centered education design, including articles in Distance Learning, EDUCAUSE Review, evolllution, e-Literate, and Inside Higher Ed, as well as a book on online learning for Routledge.

Taught and learned online

Studied and taught online at multiple universities and businesses, including Ashland University, Kent State University, Quality Matters, Louisiana State University, and Michigan State University.

Established employer partnerships

Led the LiveBetterU program for Walmart Canada, launched Raising Cane's, and Amazon's Career Choice at Louisiana State University. Created corporate training for AT&T, Microsoft, and Capital One. Worked with businesses across drone technology, the healthcare software industry and engineering.

Managed quality operations

Created and implemented quality assurance mechanisms both nationally and globally across a range of institutions and operations. The team has held multiple leadership roles in the field, including as the Chair of the Executive Committee for WCET, co-chair of COLO at UPCEA, and the President currently serves on the board of Quality Matters.

What is Newstate University?

Newstate University is the nation's first AI-founded, AI-focused university, designed to future-proof your career for the AI economy. Working with world-class faculty with relevant real-world experience, we offer radically affordable programs that integrate artificial intelligence across all disciplines, including Business, Customer Experience, Marketing, Product Management, and Project Management.

How much does it cost to attend?

We offer a revolutionary subscription model of just $300 per month—no hidden fees, no textbook costs, no surprise charges. This radical affordability is possible because we built our university for today's digital world, not yesterday's expensive infrastructure.

When can I start my program?

You can start any day! We've eliminated traditional semester schedules. Apply, get accepted, and begin learning all in one day through our innovative same-day enrollment process.

What makes Newstate University different?

We're built specifically for today's AI economy, not decades-old educational models. Every program integrates practical AI skills, offers immediate career relevance, and delivers flexible, competency-based learning at a fraction of traditional college costs.

What programs do you offer?

We offer certificates and degrees in high-demand fields including Business and AI, Customer Experience (CX), Marketing, Product Management, and Project Management. Each program is designed to build practical skills for today's AI-driven workplace.

Who designed your programs?

Our programs are created with faculty who have years of experience across higher education institutions, from research-intensive flagships to community colleges to corporate training. Our faculty also have real-world experience in their subject areas - working and consulting in their fields.

How does the learning experience work?

Our programs combine self-paced, competency-based learning with practical projects and real-world applications. You'll learn both about AI and with AI, building a portfolio of work while mastering essential skills. And yes, you'll have real human faculty! You'll also have on-demand support from an AI coach.

Are the credentials stackable?

Yes! Our certificates stack into larger credentials and degrees, allowing you to build your education progressively while earning valuable credentials along the way.

What career support do you provide?

We integrate career development throughout our programs, including professional networking opportunities, portfolio building, and practical skills that employers need right now. We help you build your network right on LinkedIn!

How do you integrate AI into the curriculum?

AI isn't just a subject we teach—it's woven into every program we offer. You'll learn to use AI tools effectively while developing the critical thinking and practical skills needed for the AI economy.

Who are your faculty?

Our programs are taught by industry practitioners and AI experts who bring real-world experience directly to your learning experience. They understand both traditional excellence and tomorrow's opportunities.

What makes your model "radically affordable"?

By building our university from scratch for today's digital world, we've eliminated expensive legacy systems, bloated administrative costs, and unnecessary overhead. This allows us to offer high-quality education at just $300 per month—making college actually affordable.

Are you accredited?

Newstate University launched programs in July of 2025.

All new institutions launch without accreditation. This is because institutions must collect data on student outcomes to submit for your accreditation process. Newstate University is currently collecting this data, having just launched.

Our founders believe in quality processes and protections, even while our data collection is ongoing.

We have established transfer and articulation agreements with several institutions, who will accept your credit if you want to transfer, including American Public University System, Kansas Christian College, and University of Massachusetts Global, all accredited institutions.

One of the main reasons that institutions want to be accredited in the US is because they can then utilize that to access federal financial aid. Our model is so radically affordable - by design - that we do not need it, and will not offer it. High quality, debt-free education is what we believe in.

Learn the facts about accreditation, and be confident that the credentials you earn have value.

We don't just teach theory at Newstate U. We teach reality. We believe in high-value skills across a range of topics and technologies. We teach and utilize content from companies whose technology is widely used and recognized - Google, Microsoft, HubSpot, Salesforce, Meta, and Amazon.

This is education for the present and the future. Not for the past.

References

¹Hanson, M. (n.d.). Average cost of college & tuition. Education Data Initiative. https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college

Huddleston Jr., T. (2025, September 29). Walmart CEO: ‘AI is literally going to change every job’—how the best employees can still stand out. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/29/walmart-ceo-ai-is-literally-going-to-change-every-job.html

Adair, D., Alman, S. W., Budzick, D., Grisham, L. M., Mancini, M. E., & Thackaberry, A. S. (2014). Many shades of MOOCs. Internet Learning, 3(1), 53–72. http://www.ipsonet.org/images/Westphalia_Press/Internet_Learning_Journal_2-2/3-1/5.%20Adair%20ILJ%203-1.pdf

Ahluwalia, A. (Host), & Thackaberry, S. (Guest). (2021, November 18). Responding to market demands with a consumer mindset [Podcast episode]. Illumination. Modern Campus. https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-twenty.html

Cavanaugh, T. (Host), & Thackaberry, S. (Guest). (2021, October 18). Managing change and growth in online initiatives [Podcast episode]. TOPCast. University of Central Florida. https://podcastaddict.com/episode/130005521

Holcomb, J., Stanfill, J., & Thackaberry, A. S. (2023, January 24). Call in the creatives! Reasons the next digital learner leader you hire should come from the arts. WCET Frontiers. https://wcet.wiche.edu/frontiers/2023/01/24/call-in-the-creatives/

Kim, P., Schroeder, R., & Thackaberry, A. S. (2021, June 9). The new normal: How education can thrive in a digital world. ASU Remote Faculty Summit. https://remote.asu.edu

Maeder, D., Plander, K., & Thackaberry, A. S. (2021, November 2). What I wish I would have known before adopting a tech product. WCET Annual Meeting. https://wcetconference.wiche.edu

Neil, J. (Host), & Thackaberry, S. (Guest). (2021, September 7). Are alternative online credentials a threat or opportunity? [Podcast episode]. Office Hours with EAB. https://eab.com/insights/podcast/enrollment/are-alternative-online-credentials-a-threat-or-opportunity

Sloan Consortium. (n.d.). Faculty instructional design toolkit. Effective Practices. http://sloanconsortium.org/effective_practices/faculty-instructional-design-toolkit

Thackaberry, A. S. (2015). Massively micro: Unbundling education 2.0. Learning Abstracts, 18(10). http://www.league.org/blog/post.cfm/massively-micro-unbundling-education-2-0

Thackaberry, A. S. (2015, July 7). Open courses opening doors to developmental education. evoLLLution. http://evolllution.com/opinions/open-courses-opening-doors-to-developmental-education/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2016, February 29). A CBE overview: A recent history of CBE. evoLLLution. http://evolllution.com/programming/applied-and-experiential-learning/a-cbe-overview-the-recent-history-of-cbe/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2016, March 7). A CBE overview: A taste of CBE today. evoLLLution. http://evolllution.com/programming/applied-and-experiential-learning/a-cbe-overview-a-taste-of-cbe-today/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2016, October 27). The next big thing in CBE isn’t a program model. evoLLLution. https://evolllution.com/technology/tech-tools-and-resources/the-next-big-thing-in-cbe-isnt-a-program-model/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2017, March 13). Mission driven, common challenges. EDUCAUSE Review. http://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/3/mission-driven-common-challenges

Thackaberry, A. S. (2017, July 20). In defense of the LMS. WCET Frontiers. https://wcetfrontiers.org/2017/07/20/in-defense-of-the-lms/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2018, October 25). Redesigning higher ed with the student at the center. evoLLLution. https://evolllution.com/attracting-students/todays_learner/redesigning-higher-ed-with-the-student-at-the-center/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2019, October 13). Keynote: Redesigning higher education for the digital student. UPCEA South Region Conference. https://upcea.edu/south-region-conference/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2019, November 4). Microcredentials, workforce preparation, and the public university imperative. evoLLLution. https://evolllution.com/revenue-streams/market_opportunities/microcredentials-workforce-preparation-and-the-public-university-imperative/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2020, March 3). Remote in a time of pandemic: Six considerations as we adapt to COVID-19. evoLLLution. https://evolllution.com/revenue-streams/distance_online_learning/remote-in-a-time-of-pandemic-six-considerations-as-we-adapt-to-covid-19/

Thackaberry, A. S. (2021, August 7). Keynote: Intersections of technology and student success. Bryan College of Health Sciences. https://www.bryanhealthcollege.edu

Thackaberry, A. S. (2022, March 2). Continuing education: The key collaborator. IMS Global Digital Credentials Summit. https://www.imsglobal.org

Thackaberry, A. S. (2022, May 24). Keynote: Beyond resilience—Leveling up to an anti-fragile future in higher ed. Ontario Higher Education IT Conference. https://www.oheitconference.ca

Thackaberry, A. S. (2023, July 18). Education-as-a-benefit. D2L Fusion. https://www.d2l.com/events/fusion/

Thackaberry, A. S., & McKnight-Tutein, G. A. (2011). Having it all: The hybrid solution for the best of both worlds in women's post-secondary education. Distance Learning, 8(3).

Thackaberry, S. (2013, October). How to gamify your estudent services. EDUCAUSE 2013. https://events.educause.edu/annual-conference

Thackaberry, S. (2014, September). Pre-Algebra MOOC for college readiness. MOOC Workshop 2014. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Thackaberry, S. (2015, November 16). Rapid fire feedback from #WCET15. e-Literate. http://mfeldstein.com/rapid-fire-feedback-from-wcet15/

Thackaberry, S. (2018, January 10). Does your institution really need a new LMS? Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/views/2018/01/10/does-your-institution-really-need-new-lms

Thackaberry, S. (2019, February 1). Past the point of no return: The not-so-shadow education sector. WCET Frontiers. https://wcetfrontiers.org/2019/02/01/past-the-point-of-no-return/

Thackaberry, S., Butler, B., Drekmeier, K., Newcomb, A., Tilghman, C., & Wheeler, M. (n.d.). Technology to optimize human interaction. WCET Annual Meeting. http://wcetconference.wiche.edu/sessions/technology-optimize-human-interaction-how-adaptive-multi-channel

Newstate University

Future-proof your career for the AI economy.

Welcome to the smarter way to college.

Our secret sauce

Compelling Curriculum

Radically Affordable

Flexible and Stackable

First-class Faculty

Teaching skills with content from world-class companies

At Newstate University, you can apply, get accepted, and start learning all in the same day.

Radically affordable tuition

Future-proof your career for the AI economy

We built it like you would build it

Newstate University is the result of decades of experience in higher ed.

Our founders bring together decades of pioneering experience in digital education and innovation. They have: