2019 Best Online Business Administration Colleges In Texas

Business Administration Texas

The Lone Star State is home to 48 Fortune 500 companies ranking third in the United States after California and New York. Twenty-two of these Texas-based companies have their home in the Dallas-Fort Worth region which has one of the largest concentrations of tech workers in the country. According to the Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas is on several lists of top-performing states, including the best state for female entrepreneurs and being the No. 1 state for wind energy. The 2019 Chief Executive Magazine’s survey of CEOs put Texas as the best state for doing business.

Texas also holds a record for being one of the highest earning majors for bachelor’s degree holders in Texas, according to a 2017 report by the Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. If you have a job or other life commitments that keep you from earning the degree you want, online colleges in Texas offer flexible online degree programs in business administration. These are fully online or hybrid programs that take into consideration your busy lifestyle allowing you to balance work, life and study. But read on to find out why the Texas job market is so hungry for business professionals!

Business in Texas is big; so is the job market for business professionals

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Texas would make it the tenth largest economy in the world if it was its own country contributing to 9 percent of the U.S. economy, according to the American Enterprise Institute. The wide variety of industries — from manufacturing to aeronautics to oil – translates to a variety of occupation choices for business professionals in Texas.

According to the 2018 Texas Workforce Commission’s report, professional and business services were listed among the 4 largest private industries when combined accounted for over 58 percent of the jobs in Texas, at the end of fiscal year 2018. The same report mentions a variety of growth occupations (2016 to 2026) including general and operations managers, sales and customer service representatives, sales managers, business operations specialists, first-line supervisors, meeting convention and event planners, and public relations specialists across top-growing industries in Texas. For those wanting to start their own business, Texas is home to 2.6 million small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, and is one of four states without corporate income tax.

Read on to know more about the colleges that make it to our list of the best online degrees for business administration in Texas!

15 Best Online Business Administration Degrees in Texas

Our methodology explained

Our unique methodology uses data from the Integrated Postsecondary Data Systems (IPEDS), a government database. In crafting this ranking we have considered factors that are most likely to be important to online students, such as the percentage of students participating in distance education, along with factors like placement services, accreditation, and financial aid. We invite you to take a look at the methodology to see how these factors align with your needs.

Here are our top 15 picks for the best online business administration degree programs in Texas.

1

Wayland Baptist University

Wayland Baptist University is a private Christian University offering online business administration degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. It is associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It also participates in the National Council for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the university can accept students from all 50 states, according to their website.

Students enrolled in the online Master’s in Business Administration program can choose a concentration from accounting, general business, healthcare administration, human resource management, international management, management, management information systems, or project management while students of their online Bachelor’s in Business Administration degree program can choose a specialization from business administration, cybersecurity, economics/finance, management information systems, and marketing/management.

Apart from a low student to faculty ratio of 10 students to one faculty member, they also have the largest electronic library collection on our ranking of the best online colleges in Texas for business administration.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $14520
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4698
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 13,099,737
2

LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University is a Christian polytechnic university. It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It offers online business administration degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels through its School of Business. It also offers a unique 4+1 MBA program where you can earn your master’s degree in just five years after graduating from high school.

Online students of the business administration bachelor’s degree program can choose concentrations in finance, general business, human resource management, management and nonprofit management.

The school boasts of a 90 percent graduate placement rate which can help recent high school graduates secure their first jobs or career changers finally make the switch. LeTourneau also has a special endowed scholarship fund specifically for home schooled students, according to their website.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17:
  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $28770
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $5255
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 288,437
3

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, non-profit Christian university. It offers online business administration degrees at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) as well.

Their online bachelor’s degree program in business administration allows students to add on an additional associate degree to their BBA’s in accounting, human resource management, management and marketing.

Their online degree programs are geared for students above the age of 22. Students can save up to $25,000 toward their bachelor’s degrees through experiential learning credits, according to their website information.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $19700
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4530
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 263,862
4

Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC while its online business administration degree programs are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). It also participates in NC-SARA making it easier to transfer credits from other states.

The University offers a range of online business administration degree programs including associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It also offers an accelerated online Bachelor’s and Master’s Business Administration degree programs with concentrations in accounting, finance, management and music business.

Dual online MBAs are also offered in different disciplines like Children’s Ministry, Christian Ministry, Discipleship, Global Leadership and Student ministry. It also offers various MBAs in education as dual master’s degrees.

The website states their online library offers personal research aid to students and allows them to access to materials owned by other libraries through their inter library loan program.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $26580
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4757
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 194,273
5

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Texas A&M University-Texarkana is accredited by SACSCOC and participates in NC-SARA. The University’s College of Business, Engineering and Technology is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB International).

The school offers an online MBA with students being required to complete a capstone project in their last semester.

Students have access to their online library which has over 50,000 e-books apart from journal subscriptions, per website information. Students can also access VAST, Films on Demand and NBC Learn HigherED which gives them access to large multidisciplinary video databases to help connect their learning to real world situations.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $5178
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4821
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 747,399
6

Concordia University Texas

Concordia University Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The university offers its online business administration programs through the College of Business and Communication which has specialized accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) to offer the online MBA program.

Apart from the MBA the university also offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in global health and economic development, healthcare administration and human resource management. MBA students can choose from two concentrations namely Health Care Administration (HCA) and Organizational Development and Learning (ODL). Students of online business administration degree programs may be required to attend synchronous sessions periodically.

A tie-up with tutor.com means that online students can make use of online one-to-one tutoring services offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students working with non-profit organizations can also benefit from a $70 per credit hour non-profit discount as stated by their website. The school’s Center for Vocation & Professional Development can also help students find internship positions.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $29840
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $5134
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 708,629
7

Parker University

Parker University is a private university with a focus on healthcare. It is accredited by the SACSCOC. It offers an online Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Healthcare Management as well as an online Master’s in Business Administration with a healthcare management focus. The MBA program is currently a candidate for accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Business Programs (ACBSP).

Its healthcare management BBA takes in new enrollments every month making it convenient for students to align their classes with their busy schedules. The MBA program offers four concentrations in health care management, management, information technology and practice management.

A hundred percent of the university’s students received financial aid last year and this college also has the lowest student to faculty ratio on our list with just seven students per faculty member. Their job placement rates for graduates of both the BBA and MBA programs were 100% in 2017-18, according to IPEDS data.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $25128
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $3100
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 109,072
8

Our Lady of the Lake University

Our Lady of the Lake University is accredited by the SACSCOC. It offers an online MBA program through its School of Business and Leadership (SBL). SBL’s business programs are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The online MBA program offers concentrations in management and healthcare management.

Students can access their library online and use the TexShare Card Program to gain access to books and other material offered by participating libraries in the state of Texas, per website information. It also offers a number of tutoring services including writing consultants, peer tutors and online tutorials through smartthinking.com.

Students received an average of $5667 in federal grant aid which was the highest amount on our list!

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $27364
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $5667
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 226,276
9

University of the Incarnate Word

University of the Incarnate Word is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The H-E-B School of Business & Administration offers an online Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration while the School of Professional Studies offers a blended Doctor of Business Administration program. The bachelor’s and master’s degree program are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The BBA program offers 10 concentrations including ones in sports management and professional golf management while the MBA offers specializations in asset management, data analytics and human resource management. Students who would like to choose a specialization in human resources may be eligible to sit for the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Certified Professional exam.

According to their website, the Writing and Learning Center offers writing support for undergraduate students while the student success center can help in other aspects like career planning and life skills coaching.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $27900
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4992
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 131,910
10

Central Texas College

Central Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and offers an online Associate of Science in Business Administration. It prepares students for transfer into four year institutions. The college has articulation agreements with many senior institutions which guarantee that every course they take at Central Texas College can transfer to a four-year degree program.

Adults returning to college are also offered transition services to take the next steps to advance their education or return to the workforce. Their website states that the college offers online tutoring and online help for the military and their families at no cost via a government agency. Students can also ask for assistance during the admissions and enrollment process from the Student Services Advisors.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $3390
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $5027
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 34,584
11

University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It offers eight online Bachelors of Business Administration degree programs through the Marilyn Davies College of Business, all of which are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB International).

Business administration students can choose majors from finance, general business, insurance and risk management, international business, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management.

Online students can benefit from a range of services including the TexShare card for libraries, academic advisors, and departmental scholarships for eligible students, as per website information. The University also has a joint admission partnership with Lone Star College allowing students to be simultaneously admitted and co-enrolled at both UHD and Lone Star College.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $4996
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4903
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 598,837
12

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is regionally accredited by the SACSCOC to award baccalaureate and masters’ degrees. It offers both the Bachelors’ and Master’s in Business Administration online which are accredited by AASCB International. The university offers six start dates through the year making it easy to enroll at a time that’s convenient to you. The university participates in NC-SARA and Texas Distance Education of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) electronic marketplace which can make it easier for students from Texas and other states to enroll in their educational offerings ensuring a quality online learning experience.

Undergraduate students can choose from specializations in management and marketing while MBA students can choose from a general business administration degree, finance, accounting or obtain their MBA with a certificate in health systems policy and management.

Master’s degree students can complete their online MBA in as little as 12 months through their accelerated program. Information on their website states that online students can make use of 24/7 tutoring services through the Smarthinking Online Tutoring system.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $4529
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4274
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 1,074,625
13

Amarillo College

Amarillo College is accredited by the SACSCOC to award associate degrees. It offers an online Associate in Business Administration with a focus on computer information systems. Students can choose to transfer to a four-year institution after completing their associate degree as the college has transfer agreements with over 20 universities and four-year colleges. Online students can also access tutoring at no cost, through the Smarthinking Online Tutoring system.

Apart from the financial aid office which can provide help with grants, loans and scholarships, the college also offers a money management service to help students achieve financial literacy, as per website information. With average in-state tuition rates of $ 1128, Amarillo College is one of the most inexpensive colleges on our list.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $1128
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4307
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 75,744
14

Trinity Valley Community College

Trinity Valley Community College is accredited by the SACSCOC to award associate degrees. The College offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Business and Office Administration designed for students who plan to enter into employment upon completion. The online courses are open only to Texas residents. The college also has articulation agreements with 25 four-year colleges and universities for students who do wish to transfer into a more advanced degree program.

The student advisement center helps students with goal setting and scheduling. Tutoring services at no cost are available to all students, according to their website. The average in-state undergraduate tuition rates of $1080 can make this college choice the most inexpensive on our list.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $1080
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $4517
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 86,210
15

Southwestern Adventist University

Southwestern Adventist University is accredited by the SACSCOC and has further accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities. The university also offers online degrees to students from other states through NC-SARA. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as well as an online certificate in senior living management.

The university offers counseling services at no cost for its students as well as career planning and tutoring while enrollment counselors guide out-of-state students through the admissions process. Website information shows that students and alumni also have access to their Purple Briefcase System which is a private social media platform for networking and video education content and can help students get started on their careers and find internships.

Data Points:

  • Average in-state undergraduate tuition, 2016-17: $20112
  • Average amount of federal grant aid, 2016-17: $5321
  • Credits offered, 2016-17: AP Credit, Dual Credit, Life Experience Credit, Military Training Credit
  • Services, 2016-17: Career Counseling, Placement Services
  • Total electronic library collections, 2016-17: 34,600

Methodology

In order to qualify for our ranking a college needed to have the following requirements:

  • Offer a degree or certificate program in that subject, either in an online or hybrid format
  • Have at least 1% of students attending some form of distance education
  • Have awarded at least one degree or certificate in that subject in 2016-17
  • Have reported data for all 11 ranking variables listed below

After applying the above criteria, we ranked 50 colleges and universities in the United States offering an online business administration degree program, using 2016-17 data from the National Center for Education Statistics on the following criteria:

  1. Bachelor’s Program prominence, based on how many of the degrees and certificates awarded in 2016-2017 were in this particular subject
  2. Ratio of undergraduate students participating fully or partially in DE to Total Enrollment
  3. Average in-state tuition for undergraduates
  4. Retention rate
  5. Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal, state, local, institutional or other sources of grant aid
  6. Average amount of federal, state, local, institutional, or other sources of grant aid awarded to undergraduate students
  7. Student-to-faculty ratio
  8. Total electronic library collections, including digital books, databases, and media
  9. The availability of any tuition plans (Payment, Guaranteed,  Prepaid, Other)
    1. Payment
    2. Guaranteed
    3. Prepaid
    4. Other
  10. Services (Academic/Career Counseling, Placement for Completers)
    1. Academic/Career
    2. Placement for Completers
  11. Credit offerings (Dual, Life, AP, Military)
    1. Dual
    2. Life
    3. AP
    4. Military

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Teagle Foundation Gathers College Leaders To Discuss The Future Of Higher Learning

Challenging orthodoxy has never been the best way to ingratiate oneself to the people who hold power. Socrates was forced to drink hemlock for the crime of posing difficult questions to the influential members of society around him, and for corrupting young minds to do the same. Galileo Galilei was placed under house arrest for espousing a heliocentric theory of the universe instead of the widely accepted, but faulty, geocentric theory. Dr. Martin Luther King was hated, vilified, and eventually killed, for daring to ask that people adhere to the idea that all men are created equal.

While not as drastic as any of the changes these three men tried to make, the struggle that online education and its supporters are enduring is a substantive one. With student loan debt surpassing credit card and auto loan debt, many students are forgoing the traditional college route simply because they can’t afford it. Finding ways to earn a degree without having to mortgage their future is important, and experimenting with online degree programs may help create a solution.

The Teagle Foundation, a group dedicated to improving undergraduate education in the arts and sciences, recently brought together college leaders to discuss the changing tide of higher learning. At the meeting, the former president of Tufts University, Lawrence Bacow, stated that “online is here to stay” and that new technologies will become increasingly attractive at the college level. “Faculty are going to run to that. Our students are going to demand it.”

According to the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6.7 million students enrolled in at least one online college course in fall 2011. That number has been growing since 2002 and looks like it may continue to grow as students and faculty learn more about the technology. In fact, distance learning has been around in some form for a long time. Students used to take correspondence courses through the mail, and then institutions began to offer platforms for taking courses online when the Internet blossomed. Those grew into fully online degree programs, and now students have the option of taking on-campus courses or enroll in school through an online format.

Bacow sees several issues keeping schools from fully adopting online education, one of which is cost. He believes that building a competent framework that will help institutions lower their operating costs in the future will be expensive in the short term. That will change, however, “when we really get smart enough to fundamentally rethink how we teach our students.”

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) may be able to help educators experiment with different ways to reach their students, as well as the technologies associated with online learning. It is important to exhaust all possibilities, as the future of students may depend on the affordability of earning a college education. MOOCs have already exploded in popularity, leaving traditional schools scrambling to keep up with the growing trend. At the Teagle Foundation meeting, Steven Zucker, co-dean of art and history at online education provider Khan Academy, estimated that one million students will partake in the site’s art history offerings this semester.

“There is a tsunami that is crashing over us right now, and I think that we need to pay attention to it,” Zucker said. “We need to not bury our heads in the sand, pretending it’s not there. The wave is hitting us, it’s hitting the shore, and it’s transforming our students.”


Sources:
“Digital Rescue,” insidehighered.com, April 12, 2013, Carl Straumsheim
“New Study: Over 6.7 million Students Learning Online,” sloanconsortium.org, Jan. 8, 2013
“The looming crisis of student loan debt,” cnn.com, Dec. 6, 2012, William J. Bennett

The Rise Of The Non-traditional Student

If you close your eyes and try to envision what a typical college student looks like, you probably picture a young adult, fresh from high school and ready to conquer the world. However, times are changing, and so are the demographics and circumstances of today’s quintessential college scholar.

According to a new report from the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (ACSFA), as many as 73 percent of U.S. students enrolled in degree programs today are considered “non-traditional students.” This includes any student who meets one or more of the following criteria outlined by the National Center for Education Statistics:

  • Delayed enrollment
  • Attends college part-time
  • Works full-time
  • Has dependents
  • Is financially independent of parents
  • Is a single parent
  • Does not have a high school diploma or G.E.D.

And many schools have broadened this even further to include veterans, adult learners, married students, those returning to their studies after a break, and anyone else who doesn’t meet the standard collegiate mold.

Non-traditional students: The underserved majority

The fact that 73 percent of students are considered “non-traditional” means that the non-traditional student has actually become quite common. Unfortunately, this growing demographic is often underserved in the higher education market, which has historically failed to cater to them by not offering enough evening classes, flexible programs, or financial aid opportunities.

And it may be getting worse. According to a recent article from The Atlantic, some educators and policy-makers are pushing initiatives that would make financial aid even harder to attain for part-time students. The initiative, referred to as the “Full-time is Fifteen” program, would require students to complete 15 credits per semester to be considered full-time, instead of the usual 12. While meant to curb student drop-outs by encouraging them to graduate within four years, enacting this measure would likely have unintended consequences, mostly by limiting the already meager aid currently available to students who can only take classes part-time due to budgetary or time constraints.

As the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance points out in their report to the U.S. Congress and Secretary of Education, college attainment rates have remained relatively stagnant for young adults, while growth in college degree attainment in competing countries has skyrocketed. This has lead the U.S. to fall further behind global competitors in number of adults with degrees. If not stopped, this trend can only perpetuate a whole host of problems that plague our nation and its citizens. The ACSFA report states: “Stagnant or falling degree attainment rates, particularly among young Americans, threaten the nation’s overall global competitiveness and further exacerbate inequality in income distribution.” Creating additional roadblocks for non-traditional students only stands to make problems worse.

Services for the non-traditional student

Fortunately, many colleges and universities have gotten the hint and begun implementing programs that are aimed at helping non-traditional students succeed, despite the many obstacles they face. One such school, Southern Illinois University, has an entire page of their website dedicated to the various resources available for non-traditional students, which currently includes live chats with other non-traditional students, a Friday night play group for students with kids, monthly wellness programs, and even specific scholarship programs designed to benefit the non-traditional crowd.

The University of Idaho also caters to its non-traditional population by providing links and support on issues such as child care, insurance options, transportation, and events. Other schools, such as the University of Oregon, try to make things easier for non-traditional students by offering family housing options created specifically for students who are married or have kids, as well as specific financial aid packages for students who need child care assistance while they earn their degree.

Many institutions are creating new options for non-traditional students by launching online degree programs that cater to adult students. For example, the State University of New York system, also known as SUNY, now collectively offers over 150 degree programs and 12,000 courses online, including both degree completion and hybrid degree programs. Non-traditional students often choose to earn their degree online simply because these programs can offer more convenience and flexibility than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, making it easier to attend school while maintaining career or family obligations.

The fact is, graduating from college isn’t easy, and doing so as a non-traditional student poses even more challenges. However, colleges and universities appear to be getting the message when it comes to expanding programs that cater to this growing demographic. Hopefully, that trend will only continue as non-traditional students continue to reach for their educational goals.


Sources:
“Colleges Are Failing Their Biggest Group of Students,” The Atlantic, January 29, 2014, Lila Selim, http://www.theatlantic.com/bachelor/education/archive/2014/01/colleges-are-failing-their-biggest-group-of-students/283435/
“Full-Time is Fifteen,” Complete College America, http://www.completecollege.org/gameChangers/#clickBoxGreen
“Non-Traditional Students,” University of Idaho, http://www.uidaho.edu/studentaffairs/nontraditional
“Nontraditional Student Programs,” University of Oregon, http://uodos.uoregon.edu/SupportandEducation/NontraditionalStudents/tabid/60/Default.aspx
“Open SUNY debuts with eight fully-online degrees,” OnlineDegrees.com, January 22, 2014, Shannon Lee, /degree360/e-learning-news/open-suny-debuts-eight-fully-online-degrees/
“Pathways to Success- a Report to the U.S. Congress and Secretary of Education,” Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, February 2012, http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/acsfa/ptsreport2.pdf
“Today’s typical college students often juggle work, children and bills with coursework,” The Washington Post, Jenna Johnson, September 14, 2013, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/bachelor/education/todays-typical-college-students-often-juggle-work-children-and-bills-with-coursework/2013/09/14/4158c8c0-1718-11e3-804b-d3a1a3a18f2c_story/

15 Best Online Healthcare Degrees 2020

Best Online Healthcare Degrees 2020

For several years, healthcare occupations have topped every list for most in-demand careers, and this year is no exception. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the healthcare sector will add 1.9 million new jobs in the decade leading up to 2028. In fact, the BLS expects healthcare occupations to add more new jobs than any other sector.

Although it is possible to enter the healthcare sector in various roles with an associate degree, there is a push for personnel involved in direct care of patients, like nurses for example, to obtain bachelor’s degrees as more hospitals try to achieve the coveted ‘Magnet Status’ for providing excellent healthcare. Additionally, the BLS reports that individuals with bachelor’s degree earn an average of $306 (or 25 percent) more per week than those with associate degrees.

But for many students, attending college courses on campus presents challenges, including fitting class times into a work schedule, addressing child care or simply being too far away from the program. Online healthcare degree programs can provide quality education to get you into these fast-growing careers more quickly, while providing the flexibility you need for your life — whether you’re a recent high school grad, a career changer or an older student returning to school.

Using data from the BLS, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDs) we examined online healthcare degree programs to find out which majors brought the greatest return on investment — in money, time and growth in the future. Read more about our methodology at the bottom of the page.

The following online healthcare degree programs were our winners. As you can see, each one differs in content and requirements, and some degree programs may not be offered 100 percent online (because they require on-campus clinical components, for example).

1
registered-nurse

The first major on our list has the distinction of being offered as a bachelor’s degree program in the largest number of online colleges — by a huge margin. This is likely due to the fact that it also has the largest number of projected job openings, a demand that must be filled due to the critical role nurses play in the healthcare field. In fact it’s hard to imagine how the healthcare industry would function without registered nurses (RNs) providing nurturing care for the sick, promoting health and wellness through patient education and listening carefully to the needs and concerns of patients in order to provide the best possible medical care.

Online nursing degrees can help you gain the practical and theoretical skills to enter one of the most trusted professions in our country. Coursework usually includes such subjects as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, nutrition, pharmacology, psychology, health assessment, adult nursing, maternity nursing or mental-health nursing. Graduates must then pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to earn the RN credential.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $72,610
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $92,870
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 466
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.4%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 3,476,400
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 22.31%

2
medical-informatics

Despite the small number of online degree programs (which have increased since last year), the second degree on our list commands the highest salary in our ranking and the largest number of industries hiring people with this training for the third year in a row.

Medical informatics is where applied information technology (IT) meets healthcare. Students can learn the skills they need to design software specifically for the healthcare industry so that patient data can be organized, retrieved easily and stored securely. Apart from IT subjects like application programming, students in an online medical informatics course can expect to study healthcare subjects like healthcare coding and classification and medical terminology that will help them design healthcare information systems effectively. Business and management subjects included in the course can also help students develop the leadership skills needed for managerial roles in the field of healthcare information.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $104,087
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $132,333
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 9
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.57%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 1,430,900
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 44.94%

3
healthcare-admin

With the second-highest number of schools offering this bachelor’s degree via distance education, healthcare administration is a major that could prepare you for work running, or helping to run, a healthcare service facility. As our nation continues to evaluate how best to deliver and pay for effective healthcare, well-trained administrators will be needed to lead this change and oversee how facilities operate. You’ll notice that healthcare administration/management actually occupies three spots on our list, though the degree emphases may differ; for example, some programs focus on health services organizations or hospital settings, whereas other programs have a more broad healthcare focus. Healthcare administrators and managers typically oversee healthcare facilities, from individual practices to hospitals or departments.

A healthcare administration/management degree program usually covers broad healthcare topics such as epidemiology or anatomy and physiology and also provides skills in legal and business issues, with courses such as accounting, healthcare law and policy, ethics and finance.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $99,730
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $130,820
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 206
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.8%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 422,000
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 27.8%

4
nursing-practice

Though a student can earn an RN credential without a bachelor’s degree, a nursing practice degree is a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN), which can provide a higher level of skills to help gain a competitive edge in the job market; the BLS says that those with a BSN will have better job prospects. On our list, nursing practice degree holders enjoy higher salaries, on average, than RNs, and a higher number of industries where they may be employed.

This program includes coursework similar to that of RNs, including anatomy and physiology, microbiology and pharmacology, but expands on that with skills in communications/writing, behavioral health, and public health or health specialties like pediatrics.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $92,830
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $114,870
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 7
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 4,025,700
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 23.53%
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 28.19%

5
nursing-administration

For students who want to lead nursing staffs, a nursing administration degree may be for you. While this is typically a graduate degree program, you may find some online nursing degrees offering this specialization at the undergraduate level too. Nurse administrators handle managerial duties such as scheduling and training nurses, giving performance reviews, managing departmental budgets and serving as liaisons between nurses and other medical staff. Nurses, who are interested in this aspect of the job, typically need a few years of experience under their belts to qualify.

This degree program includes coursework in advanced nursing practices as well as ethics and policy, organizational management, leadership, human resources management and finance. As with many healthcare degrees, you may require a practicum in which you can be asked to apply your hands-on skills in certain real-life administrative situations.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $85,730
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $109,585
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 13
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 17.3%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 3,814,200
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 33.18%

6
clinical-nursing

This degree has the largest projected job growth and employment numbers on our list. It’s designed to provide currently licensed RNs with a bachelor’s degree, typically called an RN-to-BSN program. Such programs enable nurses to specialize in areas that include nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Clinical experience is often a requirement of this degree program, and students are prepared upon graduation to enter graduate school if they wish to earn advanced nursing training.

Coursework may include healthcare informatics and public health, as well as special population nursing such as pediatric and parent-child nursing, medical surgical nursing or nursing care of people with chronic illnesses.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $84,083
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $103,727
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 18
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 24.93%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 3,687,900
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 20.95%

7
medical-records

This degree is the practical application of medical informatics. As healthcare laws for hospitals, physicians and insurers continue to change and electronic medical records evolve to become more comprehensive and efficient, the role of health information managers and administrators should grow in importance. Online health information management programs train students to become professionals who help to guide hospitals and healthcare practices by collecting and analyzing patient data and ensuring compliance with various healthcare laws.

Online health information degree programs usually include coursework in medical terminology, computer technology, coding and billing, as well as such topics as human resources management, health law, pharmacology, and quality improvement.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $99,730
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $130,820
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 75
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.8%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 422,000
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 27.8%

8
nursing-science

This is another nursing degree that is more commonly found at a graduate level. However, there are online bachelor degree programs in nursing science available for those individuals who want to focus their future careers on conducting research in the field of nursing. Graduates of nursing science degrees can work as RNs (after passing the required licensure examinations, of course) and therefore have the same plentiful job opportunities as those with regular BSN degrees.

Apart from coursework that is included in regular BSN programs, nursing science degree programs also include topics in theory and research-based clinical practice. Graduates of these programs can take the NCLEX-RN exam and go on to work as RNs in various healthcare settings. The demand for nurses in varying capacities has meant that this degree has moved up a rank on our list from last year.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $72,610
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $92,870
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 8
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.4%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 3,476,400
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 22.31%

9
medical-technologist

In order for doctors to properly diagnose and treat patients, medical tests must provide them with crucial information. With one of the highest salaries on our list, this degree program can equip students who with laboratory and technical skills. An online medical laboratory technology (sometimes called clinical laboratory technology) program can help students gain the science, math, computer and equipment knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary for the job.

Coursework emphasizes the science of medicine, with subjects such as hematology, immunology, microbiology, forensic science, and biotechnology. Students may also study laboratory management techniques along with laboratory math and the use of medical computer software.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $97,370
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $160,580
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 21
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 18.7%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 485,200
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 7.01%

10
health-services

This program has maintained its rank at number 10 for the second year in a row. Though its name is less common than the healthcare administration/management degree (No. 3 on our list) and is found in fewer schools, a health services administration degree closely mirrors that one in content and correlates to the same salary and job growth figures. This degree can lead to a career as a health information manager, a health insurance specialist, a health services administrator, a human resources administrator, or a manager for a healthcare-related service organization.

This degree program is a crossover between business and healthcare and coursework typically includes topics in both fields. Students of online health services administration degree programs can expect to takes classes in anatomy and physiology, human resources management, finance, ethics and more.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $99,730
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $130,820
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 12
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.8%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 422,000
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 27.8%

11
healthcare-facilities-admin

While this degree program may sound similar to the healthcare administration and health service administration degree programs, it has a special focus on the actual physical environment of healthcare facilities. In the lesser-known hospital and healthcare facilities administration/management degree (offered at only six schools on our list), the opportunities are no less plentiful than they are for similar degrees described earlier on our list.

Students may study specific facilities- related topics like facilities planning, building and operations management, and insurance, among others.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $99,730
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $130,820
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 6
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.8%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 422,000
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 27.8%

12
dental-hygiene

With one of highest job growth rates on our list, many students who choose this major do so to become dental hygienists or use it as a stepping stone to dental school. While individuals can enter this profession with an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene can give them a competitive edge and also enter the fields of research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

Students majoring in dental hygiene learn how to help people care properly for their mouths and teeth. This means that courses usually include such subjects as nutrition, physiology, dental anatomy, dental hygiene techniques, dental materials, radiography (for use in taking and reading X-rays) and preventive dentistry. You likely will also hone your attention to details and people skills and learn to become comfortable working in people’s mouths.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $86,095
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $125,095
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 28
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 22.75
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 542,800
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 7.94%

13
public-health-general

If you’re interested in making a larger-scale impact on the healthcare industry, healthcare policy or the health of communities, this major could be a great choice. It might lead to graduate school or to work as a public health educator, a healthcare manager or administrator, a community health worker or even a school health teacher. A public health degree program can provide you with insights into how government actions, lack of access to healthcare, health education and funding all affect the spread, treatment and prevention of diseases.

Courses may cover such varying topics as infectious diseases, nutrition, biostatistics, ecology, environmental health, human physiology and management of health service organizations.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $72,715
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $104,428
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 26
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 19.58%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 853,700
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 18.98%

14
sonographer

A medical radiologic technology degree program that equips students to work as radiologic technologists, or the more commonly known x-ray tech, or to be radiation therapists as part of an oncology team, helping to treat cancers. While individuals can enter the field with an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree can lead to further career advancement, such as specializing in a particular area of radiology or leading a radiology team or facility.

Expect coursework in areas such as anatomy and physiology, radiobiology and protection, radiographic exposure, radiographic positioning and radiologic physics. Plus, you’ll develop your attention to detail, spatial awareness and even listening and communication skills, to help you learn to work effectively with patients.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $79,740
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $112,053
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 13
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 16.7%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 545,700
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 8.33%

15
radiologic-technology

Rounding out our top 15 degrees is diagnostic medical sonography, an industry with the second highest job growth rates on our list. The diagnostic medical sonographer uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves that produces images of an individual’s internal organs and structures) to gather data that helps physicians diagnose and treat patients. This program usually leads to an associate degree, but a bachelor’s degree program can allow registered sonographers to advance their careers or specialize in particular areas.

People in this healthcare specialty are crucial in assisting physicians and therapists by providing high-quality images of tissues, organs and, of course, unborn babies still in utero, so proper training in this field is vital. While coursework in human anatomy, medical terminology, microbiology, physiology and pathophysiology, professional ethics, ultrasound physics (including wave theory), vascular technology is a major part of this program it is also grounded in working with patients, developing communication skills and empathy.

Featured data points:

  • Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $84,940
  • Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, 2018: $123,385
  • No. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level: 8
  • Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, 2018-28: 24.55%
  • Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 376,900
  • Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, 2018-28: 7.24%

METHODOLOGY

For this analysis, we ranked 26 online bachelor’s degrees in healthcare. To be included in the ranking, each major had to:

  • Match to a corresponding code in the Classification of Instructional Programs
  • Be offered online at the bachelor’s level at five or more institutions

We scored each major on the following data points, using a 10-point scale and the weights specified:

  1. Annual median wage of each occupation matched to the major, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
  2. Annual 75th percentile wage of each occupation matched to the major, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018
  3. of schools offering this degree online at the bachelor’s level, National Center for Education Statistics, 2017-18
  4. Average projected growth rate of all jobs matched to each major, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-28
  5. Total number of jobs projected in 10 years of all occupations matched to the major, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-28
  6. Percentage of industries employing the occupations matched to the major, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018-28

Please note that while some of the degrees may sound similar, this is the data self-reported by higher education institutes under the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes created by the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) and collected in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Methodology Sources

2018 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov; 2018-28 State Occupational Projections, Projections Central, projectionscentral.com

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2017-18, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Sources:

  • Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Advent Health University, https://online.ahu.edu/programs/bachelor-programs/bachelor-of-science-in-diagnostic-medical-sonography/, accessed December 2020
  • Bachelor of Science: Nursing, Western Governors University, https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-health-degrees/rn-to-bsn-nursing-bachelors-program/, accessed February 2020
  • BS in Informatics – Healthcare Informatics, Liberty University, https://www.liberty.edu/online/business/bachelors/healthcare-informatics/, accessed February 2020
  • BS in Nursing Science, University of California – Irvine, https://nursing.uci.edu/programs/bs/, accessed February 2020
  • BS in Public Health, Walden University, https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-public-health, accessed February 2020
  • Career: Dental Hygienists, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/health-technology-dental-hygienists, accessed February 2020
  • Dental Hygienists, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm, accessed February 2020
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm, accessed February 2020
  • Elka Torpey, Education pays, Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, February 2019, https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2019/data-on-display/education_pays.htm
  • Health Informatics Distance Learning Course, University of Alabama at Birmingham, https://www.amia.org/amia10x10/uab-course-description, accessed February 2020
  • Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management, IPEDS, https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cipid=88762, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Clinical Laboratory Science, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-clinical-laboratory-science-clinical-laboratory-science, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Dental Hygiene, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-dental-hygiene, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-allied-health-diagnosis-intervention-treatment-diagnostic-medical-sonography, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Health Services Administration, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-health-medical-administrative-services-health-services-administration, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Hospital Facilities Administration, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-health-medical-administrative-services-hospital-facilities-administration, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Medical Radiologic Technology, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-allied-health-diagnosis-intervention-treatment-medical-radiologic-technology, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Medical Records Administration, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-health-medical-administrative-services-medical-records-administration, accessed February 2020
  • Major: Nursing Science, Big Future, The College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-nursing-nursing-science, accessed February 2020
  • Nurse Administrator, Nurse.org, https://nurse.org/resources/nurse-manager/, accessed February 2020
  • Nursing Administration, IPEDS, https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cipid=88815, accessed February 2020
  • Nursing Practice, IPEDs, https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cip=51.3818, accessed February 2020
  • Online Health Services Administration, BS, University of Central Florida Online, https://www.ucf.edu/online/degree/health-services-administration-b-s/, accessed February 2020
  • Online Nursing and Healthcare Degrees from Drexel University, Drexel University, https://online.drexel.edu/online-degrees/nursing-degrees/index.aspx, accessed February 2020
  • Radiologic and MRI Technologists, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm, accessed February 2020
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other, IPEDS, https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/cipdetail.aspx?y=55&cipid=89046, accessed February 2020
  • What is a Magnet Hospital? Duquesne University, https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/what-is-a-magnet-hospital/, accessed February 2020
  • What is Health Informatics?, Michigan Tech, https://www.mtu.edu/health-informatics/what-is/, accessed February 2020

The Price Of Not Attending College

Many high school graduates fret over their future, and for those following the news, the situation may seem murkier than ever. According to the New York Federal Reserve, the nation’s student loan debt has reached a staggering $1.16 trillion. Couple this with today’s crummy job market and students weighing their options might begin to wonder if college is even worth it anymore. Well, one report says it is. In fact, recent research suggests the only thing less affordable than college is not going at all.

The case for college

A 2014 study from the Pew Research Center found that college-educated millennials outperform their less-educated peers on practically every economic measure. According to the report, the median annual salary for full-time workers ages 25 to 32 who possess bachelor’s degrees is roughly $17,500 higher than for those with high school diplomas alone — the widest education-related earnings gap in modern history. College graduates also have significantly lower unemployment rates — 3.8 percent compared to 12.2 percent — and report being more satisfied with their current jobs. The analysis is based on a nationally representative survey of 2,002 adults, supplemented with economic data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The idea that college grads earn higher salaries is not precisely new: The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported for years that earnings tend to increase with education, especially with advanced degrees. What makes the Pew report so significant is that it not only finds those same trends for today’s college grads, in this post-recession economy, but reveals the disparity is actually widening. When the Baby Boomers were in the same age bracket (25-32), bachelor’s degree holders earned 23 percent more than high school graduates (based on median annual wages). Today, that gap is a whopping 38 percent.

College grads may wonder why, despite these promising numbers, they still feel like they’re struggling more than previous generations. According to Pew, there is a very good reason for that: They are.

High school diplomas: Not what they used to be

A preliminary review of Pew’s data might lead one to think that a college degree is worth more today than it was a few decades ago, but according to the study, that’s not exactly the case. The Great Recession affected most Americans across the board, but it hit millennials particularly hard. Pew reports that the share of today’s young college graduates living in poverty is larger than it was for Gen Xers, baby boomers and members of the Silent Generation at the same age. But as much as recent college graduates are struggling, Pew notes those without degrees are struggling more. It’s not that college degrees are worth more than they used to be — it’s that high school diplomas are worth less.

Today, foregoing a degree may not only mean less money, but also a more challenging job market, higher poverty, and more regrets. It’s no wonder, then, that nine out of 10 college graduates told Pew they were happy with their decision to go to school, even if their entrance into the career world has been a rocky one. As with most things, however, some are happier than others.

Major matters — but only to a degree

It is no secret that some college graduates may earn more and enjoy greater job security than others, and according to a new report from Georgetown University, much of that good fortune can be traced back to major. Their analysis reveals that almost all of the highest paying college majors last year were in STEM, health, and business fields. Early childhood education, human services, and performing arts majors, on the other hand, tended to earn the least. In fact, the 2015 Georgetown reports that the top-paying majors earn graduates $3.4 million more over their lifetime than the lowest-paying ones. Perhaps that’s why, according to Pew, science and engineering majors are less likely than those from other disciplines to regret their choices. They are also more likely to say their educations were relevant, and tend to stay in their chosen field. Social science majors were found more likely to regret their college choices, less likely to say their educations were applicable to their jobs, and apt to change industries more often.

Despite this variation, Pew notes that the vast majority of college grads still say higher education is a worthwhile investment. Paul Taylor, Pew’s executive vice president and co-author of the report, is inclined to agree.

“In today’s knowledge-based economy, the only thing more expensive than getting a college education is not getting one,” Taylor told The Associated Press. “Young adults see significant economic gains from getting a college degree regardless of the level of student debt they have taken on.”


Sources:
“6 key findings about going to college,” Pew Research Center, February 11, 2014, Andrea Caumont, http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/11/6-key-findings-about-going-to-college/
“Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
“Student loan debt piles up to $1.16 trillion: NY Fed,” CNBC, February 15, 2015, John W. Schoen, http://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/17/student-loan-debt-piles-up-to-116-trillion-ny-fed/
“The Rising Cost of Not Going to College,” Pew Research: Social & Demographic Trends, February 11, 2014, http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/02/11/the-rising-cost-of-not-going-to-college/
“Widest Earnings Gap For College Grads In 48 Years,” Associated Press, February 11, 2014, Hope Yen, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/widest-earnings-gap-college-grads-48-years
“The Economic Value of College Majors,” Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2015, https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/valueofcollegemajors/

9 Unique Majors For Adventurous College Students

Don’t panic or anything, but choosing a university major can be an important and long-term decision with effects on your life in school and afterward. Some students spend two, three even four or more years deliberating between English and history. Some of us, though, have a taste for the unconventional that can only be satisfied by unique majors. You might end up learning how to make sausage or wine or metal art. Take a look at these 9 schools that offer ways to pursue your particular passion.

  • Arizona State University lets you explore the fringes of the cosmos with astrobiology, the study of life beyond the stars. Despite its seemingly fanciful description, the program isn’t just an excuse to draw your favorite imaginary space monsters. The focus is on the building blocks of life, why those particular elements were chosen, and how the rules for their selection might differ in environments other than the one on Earth. Biology, astrophysics and biochemistry each require intensive academic engagement, and astrobiology contains elements of all three, so it might take more than just owning every season of Dr. Who to be up to the task.
  • Hinds Community College provides enterprising Mississippi students with a certificate program in meat merchandising that’s designed to last three semesters (one year). According to the college, about 80 percent of students could have program-appropriate jobs waiting for them when they graduate. With the goal of preparing students for careers, the Meat Merchandising Certificate Program provides training in industry skills such as slaughtering, aging, quartering, cutting, chilling and inspecting the various cuts of meat destined for grills and supper tables nationwide. Program facilities include a large smoker, a quality control laboratory, a walk-in freezer and a large cutting room equipped like a caterer’s or retail butcher shop.
  • North Carolina State University is also angling for food lovers and aggies with its Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science degree. This program exposes students to the finer points of raising healthy chickens, ducks and turkeys for their meat or eggs. This major may be rare, but it’s not all that strange if you think about it — when was the last time you ate an egg? The poultry industry is a broad avenue on the map of American foodways and beyond, even providing modern medicine with insight into human vaccines through the study of chicken and duck embryos. Students examine topics like avian physiology, hatchery management, feed formation and live poultry evaluation.
  • Penn State University allows students to focus on professional golf management as they pursue a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management. This degree option is built on three main elements — business, recreation science and, well, golf. Students not only have to pass courses in financial accounting, business planning, hospitality operations and recreation services management but also must successfully complete the PGA’s Playing Ability Test (P.A.T.), which is just what it sounds like. Golf management students have to play 36 holes of professional-caliber golf and finish within 15 strokes of par at a PGA sanctioned event before being allowed to graduate.
  • Southern Illinois University in Carbondale pays homage to the high-tech industries of the past with its arts degree programs in metalsmithing. Applications include museum work as well as the arts. The metalsmithing studio at SIU is equipped to help students learn the basic tasks of modern smithing — casting, forming, raising, etching, fabrication, enameling and electroforming as they experiment with iron and precious metals. The program also aims to show students the value of working with their hands while developing both aesthetic values and technical skill.
  • University of California Davis isn’t far from the picturesque vineyards of the Napa Valley, so its academic programs that focus on viticulture and enology — the twin sciences of grape cultivation and winemaking — are no surprise. This cool major isn’t for the lazy, since it combines fundamental classes in chemistry, math, physics, biochemistry and microbiology with a biological curriculum that could include plant pathology, plant physiology, soil science, entomology and meteorology. UC Davis might not be the only university to offer this major, but with more than 100 years of related studies, this program has had plenty of time to age.
  • University of Connecticut students can exercise their love for old-school animation with the university’s BFA in Puppet Arts. Courses encompass costuming, lighting, scenery, theatrical design, vocal skills, directing, and practical puppetry operation and production techniques. Seeking to maintain a high quality of instruction for its students, the school selects its applicants carefully — hopefuls must undergo an interview, perform an audition and submit a portfolio of past puppetry work as part of the application process.
  • University of Delaware and its Three Languages program take the study of languages and literatures up a couple of notches by encouraging students to gain proficiency in (you guessed it) three languages over the course of one Bachelor of Arts degree. Students choose a first language, in which they need 24 credit hours, and then put 18 credits into a second and at least 6 credits into a third in order to fulfill the program requirements (as of May 2013). This taxing yet cool major is for verbal geniuses only — becoming conversational in just one foreign language is difficult enough for most people.
  • University of Vermont faculty have taken it upon themselves to recognize the nation with whom the U.S. shares the world’s longest undefended border by offering an undergraduate minor in Canadian studies. It’s not a major yet, but the program includes components of economics, geography, history, political science, history, anthropology and literature and brings in faculty from diverse specialties within the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. Funded in part by U.S. and Canadian government interests, the program also sponsors academic and business conferences, public lectures and cultural events to help publicize the long and significant history between the two North American nations. And did we mention the chance for field trips across that border?

Of course, schools update their offerings regularly, and you might find different or even more atypical majors out there! If these 9 unusual programs don’t speak to you, never fear. There are dozens of other diverse college majors out there just begging to be found by the right individual. Between all the traditional and online degrees available today, the major for you has got to be out there somewhere.

Look Out! 5 College Transfer Traps

Transferring colleges doesn’t mean you can’t complete your degree on schedule. President Obama and Mitt Romney both found success as transfer students. Occidental College student Barack Obama switched his alma mater to Columbia University three years into his degree, graduating right on time a year later. Meanwhile, Stanford student Mitt Romney wrapped up his Brigham Young University degree three years after transferring.

If you’re thinking about transferring schools midway to your degree, you’re not alone. About a third of college freshmen transfer at least once in the five years after they first enroll, according to a recently released National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) study.

But while some transfer students stay on track to graduation, others lose their way. Transfer students may have difficulty negotiating the bureaucratic process or the transfer may be a result of the decision to switch majors, relocate or take some time off. Here are five common reasons transfer students get stuck as well as tips on how to stay on track.

Avoid these 5 transfer student traps

1. Credit transfer QUICKSAND

Credits are notorious for vanishing in the move from one university to another. Be aware of transfer credit policies at different institutions, and if possible, opt for the school willing to give you the most credit for courses taken elsewhere. The safest passage across credit transfer quicksand is an established college reciprocity or transfer program. For example, many two-year colleges have programs in place to allow for seamless transfer to a four-year bachelor’s degree institution, no credits lost.

2. BERMUDA TRIANGLE of remedial coursework

Remedial courses are the “Bermuda Triangle” of higher education, according to Complete College America’s 2011 degree completion study. CCA reports that half of all associate degree students and 20 percent of bachelor’s degree hopefuls face remedial requirements. Many of these students get stuck in a remedial rut and never progress to credit-bearing courses, leaving graduation as far off as when they started. You can increase your chances of testing out of remedial coursework by spending some time reviewing for placement exams at your school. If you still have remedial requirements to complete when you transfer, look for a institution that incorporates remedial work into regular, credit-bearing undergraduate courses.

3. New school TIME WARP

Transfer students risk losing precious time in the process of applying to a new school, relocating and settling into a new campus. Colleges with transfer student support services can help both smooth the logistics of transferring and connect you with others on your transfer track. Some colleges even have special policies to encourage a streamlined pace to graduation, such as priority course registration. Use these resources to avoid the time sink of administrative red tape and any other potential distractions.

4. FOG of career indecision

The most successful transfer students have a clear reason for switching schools and arrive at the new college with a sense of purpose. If you want to transfer because the grass seems greener at another campus, you may get lost along the way. Transfer because the new school has a stronger program in your chosen major, a degree not available at your current institution or a professor whose academic work you admire. Transfer to a university located in an up-and-coming region for your chosen career and capitalize on the new school’s local business connections. The right motivation for transferring can help you stay focused and on track to graduate.

5. Financial aid CRUNCH

How will transferring colleges affect the cost of your education — and your eligibility for financial aid? Transfer students are at a disadvantage at many universities when it comes to accessing financial aid. A 2010 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that 23 percent of colleges don’t offer merit aid for transfer students. Of those that do, the amount set aside for transfers may be lower than for entering freshman, particularly if you transfer in January when the annual funds are depleted.

Avoid the loan and scholarship crunch by seeking transfer-friendly institutions and universities with established 2+2 transfer programs (two years at a community college and two at a university). Timing also matters. Some transfer students apply in the late spring or summer before the fall term, leaving little time to secure funding. If possible, apply early.

Mobility is becoming mainstream, as more and more college students transfer schools, pursue their degree part-time or take advantage of online course delivery. If you plan your transfer right, you can avoid the pitfalls of the transition and find your true alma mater.

Education Is A Solid Investment

education-investment

When Mike Lally graduated from Michigan State University, degrees were often considered optional. Today, the Senior Food Safety Inspector with the Michigan Department of Agriculture says a degree is crucial for his job. “I could not have pursued my current career without it,” he said.

Today, despite rising tuition fees, a majority of Americans still believe that both community colleges and four-year institutions are still worth the cost according to a 2017 report by New America.

And there are numbers to prove this. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) report ‘America’s Divided Recovery: College Haves and Have-Nots’ states that college graduates now make up a larger share of the workforce than high school graduates.

While public perception and the high number of college grads in the workforce may be in favor of a college education, the question still arises “is a college education actually worth it?”

Can you expect ROIs on your college education?

The simple answer is a resounding YES! However, when you get down to the brass tacks, the answer to this question is slightly complex as the CEW found while attempting to rank the Return on Investment on 4500 colleges across the country. The type of college, the degree you earn, and the major you choose can all play a role in your potential future earnings.

Type of college:

Degrees from private colleges have a higher ROI in the long term (40 years) than those from public colleges, and this is despite the fact that students attending public colleges often need to take on about half the debt of those enrolled in private colleges. The study found that median annual earnings varied by as much $8000 a year in the favor of those who had degrees from private institutions. After paying debts, the study reports that graduates of private colleges showed long-term net economic gains of $838,000 compared to $765,000 for public college grads.

Type of degree:

It’s a well-known that the higher your degree, the higher your potential earnings. The CEW in its 2018 publication ‘Five Rules of the College and Career Game’ shows that the median earnings of BA degree holders were nearly twice the median earnings of those with a high school diploma. Median wages rose with graduate degrees.

In terms of ROIs, CEW found that certificates and associate degrees gave the highest short-term (10 years after enrollment) returns; although this may be because student debt is lower and individuals enter the workforce sooner. However, the same study found that bachelor’s degrees eventually pay off better in the long run.

The major:

It almost goes without saying that some professions pay more than others on average. CEW found that certificates in nursing were particularly valuable in the short term. In its 2018 report on colleges and careers, it found that the disparity between earnings can be huge even at the same degree level. For example, BAs in architecture and engineering lead to median annual earnings of $85,000 which is $39,000 more than the median annual earnings of education majors at $46,000.

To quote the study ‘Some certificates pay more than some associate’s degrees, some associate’s degrees pay higher than some bachelor’s degrees, and some bachelor’s degrees result in higher earnings than some graduate degrees.’

While the career you choose may include factors that go beyond earnings, like interests and passion for example, one fact the study is clear on is that those with a college education earned more than workers with a high school diploma.

What are the benefits of a college degree?

Apart from higher earnings, a college degree can bring other benefits too. Surprising ones!

A 2017 study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine showed that those with a college degree were at a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2019 study in the same journal shows that the life expectancy of those with a four-year degree is longer than those with a high school diploma.

If living longer isn’t incentive enough; how about the chances of getting a job? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that bachelor’s degree holders had lower unemployment rates (2.2 percent) than those with a high school diploma in April 2018 (4.1 percent). The difference between unemployment rates increases with educational attainment.

And think of all the lifelong friends you’ll make, not to forget the acquaintances. In fact, a survey conducted on LinkedIn showed that 85 percent of open jobs were filled due to networking. College can be a great place to practice your networking skills.

Rise of online education and college accessibility

Online learning addresses a big barrier to higher education: the need to earn an income. Although traditional degree programs may require a full-time commitment, online programs are often specifically structured to work around existing employment and family obligations. That may be one reason why students studying online are generally older.

Financing a degree can be a challenge. In Lally’s case, he plans to encourage his children to apply for scholarships and take advantage of opportunities that can cut costs and help lessen the need to take out student loans, such as serving as a residential assistant in campus dorms.

Online degree programs can negate costs like transport to lectures, parking and on-campus residency fees and so reduce the financial burden associated with earning a degree. Additionally, students of online degree programs are eligible for many of the same federal loans, grants and scholarship programs that are available to students studying at traditional colleges.

While earning a degree can be a challenge in itself, the process of getting a job can be difficult too. Recognizing this, many online colleges offer resume building, interview workshops, job fairs, networking events and more. In fact, some colleges allow their alumni to continue to use these services long after they have graduated.

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue an online or an on-campus program, as the Association of American Universities (AAU) Vice President of Public Affairs Barry Toiv says, “While there are understandable concerns about college costs…a college education offers knowledge and critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that provide individuals with opportunities in their professional and personal lives.”

Sources

  • A First Try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 Colleges, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2020, https://1gyhoq479ufd3yna29x7ubjn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/College_ROI.pdf
  • America’s Divided Recovery: College Haves and Have-Nots, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2016, https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/americas-divided-recovery/
  • Career Pathways: Five Ways to Connect College and Careers, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2017, https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/careerpathways/#full-report
  • Five Rules of the College and Career Game, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2018, https://1gyhoq479ufd3yna29x7ubjn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Fiverules.pdf
  • Kubota, Yasuhiko, et al., Association of educational attainment with lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study, JAMA internal medicine 177.8, 2017, 1165-1172, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5710437/
  • New Survey Reveals 85% of All Jobs are Filled Via Networking, LinkedIn, 2016, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler/
  • Sasson, Isaac, and Mark D. Hayward, Association between educational attainment and causes of death among white and black US adults, 2010-2017, Jama 322.8 (2019): 756-763, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2748794
  • The Perceived Value of Public Colleges and Universities, New America, 2017, https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/varying-degrees/perceived-value-public-colleges-and-universities/
  • Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2019, https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm

How The IRS Can Help You Pay Your Tuition

College financial aid advisers seldom mention one of the most common sources of funding: the IRS. Tax breaks get little credit for reducing the cost of college, yet a recent study found they can be worth more than traditional sources of financial aid such as federal grants and work-study programs.

According to the November 2011 report by the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES), tax breaks accounted for about 6 percent of all undergraduate financial aid in 2007-2008, benefiting mostly middle-class families. Federal work-study programs represent 1 percent of undergraduate aid dollars, and federal grant programs other than the Pell Grant program are 3 percent, the NCES study said.

The IRS gives college students a break

The NCES study found that 47 percent of all undergraduate college students received an education tax benefit in 2007-2008. The total value of this financial support amounted to $6.85 billion, according to estimates from the College Board.

The report looked at two main forms of tax benefits–tax deductions, which lower the amount of income a family has to pay federal taxes on, and tax credits, which are subtracted from the amount of tax a family owes. Because tax deductions have more value for higher-income families, who generally pay taxes at higher rates, the report also found that tax benefits, unlike some other forms of financial aid, tend to benefit middle-income students the most.

How much can tax benefits save you?

For families who qualify, tax breaks can be a significant source of savings. The NCES study found that students who received tax benefits saw an average of $700 in savings. By comparison, those same students received an average of $400 in federal grant funding and veterans benefits. They also received an average of $1,300 in non-federal grants.

The primary beneficiaries of federal tax breaks were middle-class families, reports the NCES. Among the families of dependent undergraduates, 63 percent classified as high-middle-income, or families making between $66,600 and $104,599, received tax benefits. For low-middle-income families, with incomes ranging from $36,100 to $66,599, that number was 56 percent.

By contrast, less than one-third (29 percent) of families with incomes below $36,100 received tax benefits. Many low-income families didn’t qualify for tax breaks because their grant aid and veterans benefits covered their tuition, making them ineligible for the benefits. Just under half (48 percent) of high-income students received tax benefits; most who did not qualify had incomes that exceeded the maximum of $57,000 for single filers.

Income matters when it comes to the value of tax benefits as well. The report found that middle-income families received average tax benefits ranging from $900 to $1000, while low-income families received average benefits of $600. Low-income students reported significantly higher federal grant aid than any other income group.

Tax benefits for college students (and their parents)

Your financial aid entitlement may not end with your college financial aid package. If grants and other aid don’t cover your college expenses, you may be eligible for a tax credit or deduction. Available tax benefits for college students and their parents include:

  • American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits. An extension of the Hope Credit, the American Opportunity Credit of 2011-2012 provides an annual credit of up to $2,500 per eligible full-time student. The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit allows a credit of up to $2,000 for any student taking one or more courses. Income restrictions apply for both tax credits.
  • Tuition and fees deduction. You can lower your taxable income and by extension, your tax burden, by deducting qualified education expenses for yourself or a dependent student. The maximum amount of the deduction is $4,000. Like the tax credit, higher-income filers do not qualify (Your modified adjusted gross income must be below $80,000 to claim the deduction).

These tax credits and deductions help current college students lower the financial impact of college expenses. For additional information on education tax benefits, including eligibility and rules on combining tax benefits, refer to the IRS.

Although they don’t lower your upfront tuition and fees, tax credits and deductions can have a significant impact on your total college cost. Don’t forget to take advantage of this important benefit this April 15.

Groupon And Other Weird Ways To Pay For College

Recently, 18 students bought a discounted tuition voucher from Groupon for a course at Chicago’s National-Louis University called “Introduction to the Profession and the Craft of Teaching.” The students who purchased the offer will pay $950 for the course, a discount of nearly 60 percent off the usual $2,232 price tag.

At first glance, the marked-down education sounds like a grand way to save money while gaining marketable skills. But there are a few crucial catches: The Groupon students will not be officially enrolled at the institution. Instead, after completing the introductory course, they will have to complete the full admissions process–with no guarantee of acceptance–in order to continue in the master’s program.

“If you want to get exposure to the program, or to take a test drive on a master’s program, this type of Groupon sale is a great idea,” said Andrew Schrage, editor of Money Crashers.com. “However, if you are already a good student and won’t have any trouble getting accepted, and you know you want to do the whole program, the value of offers like these decreases significantly.”

5 creative ways to pay for college

While Groupon may not be a good deal for everyone, students faced with rising tuition costs and cuts in financial aid programs are increasingly looking for new and innovative ways to pay for college. Once you’ve factored in traditional forms of financial aid and available scholarships, you may still find yourself coming up short. If so, here are five creative ways you can close the gap.

1. Don’t like the sticker price? Negotiate a better deal

Don’t think that the tuition discounts or financial aid offered by a college is the final word, Schrage says. He advises students to speak to the school about tight finances and to ask outright for help.

“Often, schools will have some surplus funds set aside in the form of unused scholarships, additional grants and unused tuition discounts that they can offer,” Schrage said. “And while you shouldn’t treat your college as a bargaining table, you should take advantage of some effective negotiation techniques to score a great deal on your tuition just as you would any other large purchase.”

2. Save on food–without living on ramen

“Don’t simply assume that staying in the school dormitories and living on the meal plan is the only route to go,” said Schrage.

Consider setting up a meal schedule with friends. You can get more bang for your buck buying in bulk and cooking low-budget but filling meals like spaghetti that feed a crowd. An added bonus? In addition to saving money, you could also build long-time friendships.

3. Find low-budget housing

Living off campus can also save you money, according to Joe Orsolini, president of College Aid Planners in Chicago.

“Think about commuting. A lot of kids could save a lot of money that way,” Orsolini said. “For example, the cost for just housing at University of Chicago is $13,000 to $15,000 per year depending on the meal plan.”

Another idea from Orsolini? Become an RA, or resident assistant, in your dorm, and you can get your room and board comped.

4. Become an entrepreneur

Instead of watching TV or hanging out in the quad after classes, consider experimenting with an entrepreneurial venture.

“There are some awesome side business ideas that just about anyone can start in college–things like tutoring, babysitting, craft sales, dog-walking–without taking too much mental energy away from your studies,” Schrage said.

5. Get a degree that has a high demand

If you earn a degree in an area that needs public servants, you may be able to get scholarships or loan repayment in exchange for working in a certain field when you graduate.

“Here in Chicago, there is a $17,500 student-loan credit for students who ultimately teach in a low-income public-school district,” Orsolini said.

The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment for students in health care fields working in areas where there is provider shortage. You may be able to get your total loan debt forgiven, depending on how long you sign on to work at an NHSC-approved location.

The Peace Corps is another option–some student loans may be forgiven if you sign on to volunteer with this organization.

Only time will tell if the Groupon tuition discount is a fad or a new frontier in financial aid. In the meantime, these creative ways to save money can help any student make ends meet.

Methodologies and Sources