The nation’s first accredited smartphone-based degree app helps working adults finish what they started — at half the cost.
For millions of adults, the dream of finishing college never disappeared — it just got postponed. Work. Family. Life. Every day, an estimated 750 adults in the United States pause their education, not because they can’t succeed, but because time, cost, or competing priorities get in the way.
At Cornerstone University, we believe higher education should move with you — not against you. That conviction led to the creation of the SOAR™ by Cornerstone University app, the nation’s first fully accredited bachelor’s degree that can be earned entirely on a smartphone.
Learning That Fits Real Life
Launched in 2025, Cornerstone’s SOAR™ app reimagines higher education for busy adults balancing work, family, and ambition. Through the app, learners earn a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Business Management — with more degrees coming soon — and build real-world leadership, communication, and strategy skills employers value most.
Lessons stream directly to a smartphone through original short videos, podcast-style lectures, and interactive content, allowing students to learn anywhere, anytime.
“For too long, adults who wanted to go back to school were forced to choose between their education and their responsibilities,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “The SOAR app was built to remove those barriers — it’s a degree that works with your life, not against it.”
Three Reasons Adults Are Choosing the SOAR App
- Flexible. New classes begin every two weeks. Microlearning modules make it easy to stay on track without set class times or rigid deadlines.
- Affordable. Tuition is about half the cost of the average accredited business degree, making SOAR one of the most affordable paths to a bachelor’s in the nation.
- Respected. The SOAR by Cornerstone University app delivers a fully accredited education backed by the Higher Learning Commission.
Student Voices: College That Works With Life
Alicia M., single mom, Muskegon, MI
“I like to SOAR when I’m getting ready in the morning or driving to work. After dinner, when my little one’s asleep, I finish my lessons. I finally feel like college fits into my schedule.”
Brian C., 52, retired police officer/security professional, Grand Rapids, MI
“I started college 30 years ago. The SOAR app gave me a second chance — right from my phone, between client calls. I just finished my first season and already see the difference in how I lead my team.”
Rachel M., 30, single mom, Gordon Food Service employee in MI
“What I learned in my Business Communications class helped me land a promotion. The SOAR app doesn’t just teach theory — it builds real-world confidence.”
Here from a SOAR student in this WZZM news story:
A Workforce in Transition
In West Michigan, 23 percent of the workforce is projected to retire within the next decade, leaving a growing leadership gap. The SOAR by Cornerstone University app helps employers strengthen their teams and prepare emerging leaders — without losing talent to traditional, time-intensive college models.
“SOAR aligns with the needs of employers who want to grow talent from within,” said Dr. Moreno-Riaño. “It gives adults the credentials, confidence, and character to lead effectively in today’s fast-changing workplace. SOAR helps employers close the leadership gap, positioning them for success.”
To learn more about this, we gathered top minds in workforce trends, ed tech and higher ed for a compelling webinar titled, “Humans Wanted: Why Leadership Needs to Be Your Recruitment Strategy for the Next Five Years.”
Behind the Build: Rethinking College for the Smartphone Era
“When we set out to create the SOAR by Cornerstone University app,” said Dr. Moreno-Riaño, “we didn’t want to shrink college onto a smaller screen. We wanted to rethink it — to make it dynamic, portable, and inspiring for people balancing real life.”
CU’s innovation team collaborated with faculty, instructional designers, and adult learners to create mobile-first courses that use audio, video, and storytelling to bring lessons to life — one “Season” at a time.
What’s Next for the SOAR App
The Strategic Business Management degree is just the beginning. The SOAR app will soon expand to include a business-related associates as well as additional bachelor’s and graduate-level degrees in fields such as Organizational Leadership, Nonprofit Management, and Digital Marketing — opening pathways for lifelong learning that’s accessible, accredited, and affordable.
“We see the SOAR by Cornerstone University app as part of a movement to make higher education radically accessible,” said Dr. Moreno-Riaño. “We’re empowering tens of thousands of adults to finish what they started — and to lead with purpose.”
Ready to Reclaim Your Dream?
For adults ready to finish college without putting life on hold, the SOAR by Cornerstone University app offers a new way forward — fully accredited, radically affordable, and built for real life.
👉 Learn more or apply today at SOAR.Cornerstone.edu
👉 Make an appointment with a SOAR Enrollment Counselor today at cornerstone.edu/admissions/soar-online-admissions.
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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.
About SOAR™ by Cornerstone University
SOAR™ is the nation’s first smartphone-based, self-paced, accredited degree program — and the most affordable, costing less than half the national average. Developed by Cornerstone University, SOAR™ combines academic excellence with radical affordability and accessibility to serve working adults and nontraditional learners. With a focus on leadership, integrity, and real-world impact, SOAR™ equips students to earn a respected degree, on the go, anytime, anywhere. New disciplines and advanced degrees are coming soon. Go to SOAR.Cornerstone.edu to learn more.
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