Coupang Sees 2.5x Increase in Employees Attending University While Working Over 3 Years

5 Cyber Universities Sign Industry Agreements
Surge in Applicants with Zero Tuition Fee Benefits

The number of Coupang employees enrolled in cyber universities while balancing their studies has increased 2.5 times in three years.

According to Coupang on the 23rd, the number of employees registered at cyber universities increased from 154 in 2019 to 386 last year, a 2.5-fold increase over three years. The cumulative number of admissions from 2019 to the present is 1,184.

Jang Ki-young (44), who works at Coupang Ilsan 5 Camp, is holding up his university degree certificate.
[Photo by Coupang].

Since the first half of 2019, Coupang's Logistics Education Development Team has signed industry agreements with five domestic cyber universities (Hanyang, Kyung Hee, Sejong, Seoul, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies). Through this, Coupang employees receive benefits such as tuition discounts and are supported to enroll in cyber universities to improve their capabilities through academic study.

Looking at the departments employees have registered for, both Coupang and Coupang Fulfillment Service (CFS) saw the highest number of applicants in logistics-related departments closely linked to their jobs, with many also applying to business administration, computer engineering, and real estate departments. The number of students choosing the increasingly popular major in industrial safety is also rising.

The growing popularity of cyber universities at Coupang is because high school graduate workers are focusing on balancing work and study as a new career planning option. 'Employment first, then further education' allows immediate income to cover living expenses, and obtaining a university diploma can lead to better treatment after joining the company.

By utilizing the support program benefits provided through the agreement between the company and cyber universities, tuition fees are effectively 'zero won.' Application and admission fees of 300,000 won are fully waived, and a 50% discount on undergraduate tuition is available. If an average grade of C or higher is maintained, students can receive a national scholarship (covering 50% of tuition), allowing them to earn a bachelor's degree without paying tuition. Tuition reductions for graduate courses, as well as usage and discount benefits for affiliated university facilities (libraries, hospitals, etc.), are also available.

Jang Ki-young (44), who operates a forklift at Coupang Ilsan 5 Camp, said, "I am aiming to obtain an industrial safety engineer certificate, and by graduating from Hanyang Cyber University's Service Logistics and Distribution Department, I have met the eligibility requirements (graduation from a related department and credit acquisition) to take the exam." He added, "Several colleagues with long tenure are also studying at cyber universities for career development."

A representative from Coupang's Logistics Education Development Team said, "We often hear from cyber university officials with whom we have agreements that Coupang employees have a particularly high enthusiasm for learning," and added, "We will continue to fully support our employees to further develop their capabilities."