How Walmart's Investment in Tuition-Free Education Unlocks Talent Pipelines

Accessible education for the frontline

To level up their business, Walmart needed to evolve the skills and learning programs available to frontline employees. After pivoting to a tuition-free model for their education benefit — known as Live Better U (LBU) — Walmart saw significant gains in talent attraction, retention, and promotion in a tight labor market.

This case study explores Walmart’s strategy and ROI behind tuition-free education.

Tuition-free education unlocks business outcomes — and a 66% increase in enrollment.

Retention
4x
lower attrition for LBU participants compared to non-participants
Promotion
2x
more likely to be promoted as an LBU participant compared to non-participants
DE&I
1.2x
More likely to be a person of color as a new hire enrolling in the program

Since the launch of LBU in 2018, associates have saved an estimated $333 million in tuition costs.

Enrollment
+89K
Associates enrolled in the program
Completion
+15K
Completed LBU programs
Degrees
+1.5K
Earned an associate's or bachelor's degree

"Our education offerings tie directly to our growth areas at Walmart, and what better way to fill the pipeline of future talent than with our own associates. This investment is another way we can support our associates to pursue their passion and purpose while removing the barriers that too often keep adult working
learners from obtaining degrees."
Lorraine Stomski, Senior VP of Learning and Leadership, Walmart