(1 May 2019) McGraw-Hill and Cengage today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger on equal terms. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, will bring together two premier learning companies that will deliver significant benefits for students, educators, professionals and institutions worldwide.
“The new company will offer a broad range of best-in-class content – delivered through digital platforms at an affordable price,” said Michael E. Hansen, CEO of Cengage. “Together, we will usher in an era in which all students can afford the quality learning materials needed to succeed – regardless of their socioeconomic status or the institution they attend. Additionally, the combined company will have robust financial strength to invest in next-generation products, technology and services that create superior experiences and value for millions of students.”
“For more than a century, our goal has been to unlock the potential of each learner and improve lives through education,” said Nana Banerjee, President and CEO of McGraw-Hill. “Combining our two companies and our complementary offerings will enable us to continue innovating. In this way we can continue to empower students and educators around the world with a wide choice of affordable, engaging course materials and advanced digital platforms to help them succeed throughout a lifetime of learning.”
Cengage and McGraw-Hill are two organizations with complementary missions, capabilities and talent. Both have long-established offices and powerful brands in more than 100 countries and serve educators and students in K-12, Higher Education, English Language Teaching, Professional, Medical and Library Reference markets. Together, the new company will be even better positioned to create new, locally impactful products that use leading educational technology to improve learning experiences and outcomes.
Cengage is well-known for its focus on students and affordable access to quality learning. The company’s recently launched subscription service for U.S. college students, Cengage Unlimited, has already saved students more than $60 million during the 2018-19 academic year alone. The subscription service offers unlimited access to more than 22,000 eBooks, online homework access codes and study guides, with low-cost print rentals available. A subscription also includes free access to Chegg Tutoring, Kaplan Test Prep, Quizlet, and Evernote’s note-taking app.
McGraw-Hill is a global leader in learning science and adaptive learning solutions with its award-winning McGraw-Hill ALEKS and McGraw-Hill Connect offerings. The company’s initiatives to lower costs for U.S. college students and increase student achievement – such as its Inclusive Access program, which provides college students with low-cost digital materials on the first day of class – saved students well over $55 million in 2018. McGraw-Hill brings partnerships with more than 14,000 authors and educators in numerous fields of study.
For the full press release, see here.
