Celebrating Starbucks partners who are expanding their futures with 100% tuition coverage

Today, I’m proud to celebrate more than 1,000 Starbucks partners who are graduating from Arizona State University (ASU) through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP) — our fourth consecutive class with more than 1,000 graduates. Participation in SCAP is up 60% over the last five years, with more than 18,000 partners having earned their first-time bachelor’s degree to date, with 100% upfront tuition coverage* — a milestone that reflects the impact of this first-of-its-kind partnership with ASU.  

At Starbucks, we’re committed to continuing to be the best job in retail. That means investing in partners and offering comprehensive benefits, for partners working just 20+ hours a week, so they feel supported at every stage of life: at work, in their careers, and as they care for their families. These benefits, together with meaningful investments in career growth and on-the-job support as we get Back to Starbucks, are helping to deliver strong impact — including record-low turnover rates that are significantly below the industry average, more than a million applications for roles in our coffeehouses over the last year, and more partners recommending Starbucks as a great place to work, according to our internal surveys. 

SCAP is one of the most powerful expressions of our commitment: 

• 18,000+ graduates to date, and another 27,000+ partners currently pursuing their first-time degree, representing a 60% increase over the past five years 

• Nearly 90% of U.S. coffeehouses have at least one scholar participating  

• 150+ degree options with personalized academic, career and financial support 

• SCAP ‘plus one’ benefit, which allows military and U.S. veteran partners to extend the benefit to a qualifying family member of their choice 

• No commitment to stay after graduation — partners can pursue the path that’s right for them 

• ~75% experience career growth after earning their degree 

This year also brought new study abroad and coffee education opportunities, from ASU’s Future of Coffee course to a hands-on sustainability immersion at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, where scholars study climate, agronomy and the future of coffee at our global research and development farm. 

Today is one of my favorite moments of the year — celebrating our partners in Tempe, Arizona as the December graduating class takes a well-earned step toward the futures they’ve dreamed about. And when partners feel supported with life-changing benefits like these, they bring that same care and connection to every cup they serve — strengthening the Starbucks experience for all of us. 

Congratulations, ASU graduates. Here’s to everything your achievements make possible. 

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan provides 100% tuition coverage for benefits-eligible Starbucks employees to earn their first bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University’s online degree programs. Learn more at starbucks.asu.edu