A Breakthrough in Adult Education
SOAR™ by Cornerstone University is the nation’s first fully accredited, 100% smartphone-based, self-paced business bachelor’s degree.
Cornerstone University President Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño conceived it after discovering a sobering reality: more than 750 adults drop out of college every single day in the U.S. (WGVU News). Most don’t leave because of ability, but because of barriers — cost, rigid schedules, and life responsibilities.
Dr. Moreno-Riaño asked a bold question: What if we flipped the model? What if we built a degree as flexible and accessible as streaming a podcast?
Instead of asking busy adults to conform to traditional higher ed, SOAR™ was designed to meet them where they already live and work — on their smartphones. This is higher education re-engineered for the 21st century.
What makes the technology and experience of SOAR™ different?
- 100% mobile – A complete business degree featuring relevant, in-demand skills on your phone, no laptop required.
- Self-paced – Microlearning lessons designed for short bursts throughout the day through podcasts, videos and audiobooks and easy to access resources.
- Most affordable business management bachelor’s degree in the U.S. – Tuition is just $2,400 per 4-month term, covering up to 18 credit hours with no extra textbook or tech fees required.
- High quality – Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offering a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Business Management.
As Yahoo Tech reported, SOAR™ represents a bold new category of higher ed — subscription-based, mobile-first, and radically affordable.
Built with West Michigan’s Workforce in Mind
With a wave of retirements ahead, SOAR™’s radically affordable, flexible degree helps employers and employees bridge the leadership gap.
This innovation wasn’t built in isolation. Grand Rapids and West Michigan business partners played a crucial role in the software development, testing, and launch of SOAR™, providing feedback, pilot support, and encouragement. Their collaboration ensured the platform was relevant to the real-world needs of today’s working adults.
Why does this matter? Because West Michigan is at a critical juncture. Over 1 in 5 Michigan workers are Baby Boomers — the largest generation in the labor force — and they are rapidly approaching retirement (TalentFirst).
That means employers face an urgent leadership gap — one that demands accessible, scalable, and affordable education solutions.
And affordability is where SOAR™ shines. For businesses, SOAR™’s radically lower tuition reduces the cost of upskilling employees while also making education a reachable goal for their families. It’s a workforce benefit that pays forward for generations.
We are deeply grateful to our local SOAR™ Business Partners for helping make SOAR™ possible. Their vision and support are why West Michigan is poised to become a national model for workforce development through ed tech innovation.
Through mobile technology, media-centered learning, and subscription-style tuition, the program redefines higher education — introducing degree streaming, a new model built around the realities of today’s adult learners.
Why SOAR™ Is a Game-Changer in EdTech
Globally, education technology is moving toward three big shifts:
- Mobile-first learning – With smartphone adoption nearing 90%, learners expect education to be as portable as streaming content.
- Microlearning & multimedia – Short, engaging lessons (video, audio, interactive formats) increase retention and fit into busy lives.
- Flexible financing models – Subscription-based tuition reflects the same accessibility that transformed media, music, and software.
The SOAR™ platform integrates all three — and adds something even more disruptive:
- SOAR™ offers the most affordable accredited business bachelor’s degree in the United States.
At just $2,400 per 4-month term with no additional fees for textbooks or technology, SOAR™ delivers a radically more accessible pathway to higher education. Combined with employer scholarships and financial aid, many students pay little to nothing out of pocket.
Voices of current SOAR™ students:
- “SOAR™ has reenergized my educational journey.”
- “The mobile platform is genius and has unmatched flexibility.” (WGVU News)
- “I enjoy listening to my SOAR™ podcasts and audiobooks while doing chores. I put in my AirPods and fold laundry or complete a grocery store shop.”
- “Now you can watch videos for education. It’s more natural. You take your phone out of your pocket and you’re watching something and the content has a purpose instead of just entertainment.”
- “Audiobooks and podcasts allow me to study on the go.”
For adults who once believed a degree was out of reach, SOAR™ proves otherwise. For employers facing a looming talent gap, SOAR™ offers a solution. For higher ed as a whole, SOAR™ points to the future.
As we celebrate Tech Week 2025, we’re proud that this breakthrough is from West Michigan — through the vision of Cornerstone University leadership, the dedication of local business partners, and the resilience of students who dared to begin again.
The future of education isn’t just about technology. It’s about people, possibility, and purpose. With SOAR™, that future has already begun.
About Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University is a leading private institution committed to making Christian higher education accessible and affordable for every stage of life. With multiple learning platforms — from traditional on-campus degrees to fully online programs, SOAR™ for working adults, and seminary training — Cornerstone prepares students to boldly live out their God-given purpose in every sphere of influence.
SOAR™ in the Media
To hear Dr. Moreno-Riaño’s vision in his own words:
- The Eric Metaxas Show – On the state of higher education and affordability.
- Main Street Matters – Navigating the future of higher education and the launch of SOAR™.
- Furthermore with Amanda Head – On innovation, dependency on government funding, and higher education reform.
