"Big 3" degree value?

[burbuja0512]

As we all know that "the big three" are not well known or highly touted colleges, and therefore may be looked down on by a future employer just, as would one of many other degrees from many other obscure universities.
Debating the value of a degree such as many of us have or are pursuing has already been hashed out pretty good here, but I concur that a bachelors is not worth as much as it used to be, and the masters is the new bachelors. Which, to the savvy consumer, behooves us to get our bachelors degree with little fuss and cost. This is where TESC or EX come in handy.
The line to repeat here is "regionally accredited". It is. And it's what counts.

I would suggest to the original poster that choices such these would probably not be a frontrunner if cost is not an issue, because apples to apples, a degree from a well known state school or private college would be preferable on the open market.
Some people here might know that Toyota makes Lexus cars. Same engineering, same frames, but different body styles, emblems and price tags. If you'd like a Lexus and don't mind the price, go for it. I'm perfectly comfortable in a Toyota.

I love the "Masters is the new Bachelors" quote. It's not true of all undergraduate degrees, but yes, in most cases it really is true. We saw the same thing with our parents and grandparents' generation. High school used to be enough.

I'm not sure if the only issue with a B&M school is money saved. For me it's time. No, I am not in a rush to get a new job. Thank goodness I have a good job and getting this degree won't increase my income. (though it will help my resume) Time is HUGE. Even if you have the drive and determination now to finish school, will you feel the same four years from now? Yikes.. with kids and full time work and travel and husband, I can honestly say that if I hadn't found out about CLEPping, I wouldn't be able to get my degree for several more years, and probably wouldn't even have considered a graduate degree. The path to a masters degree is VERY long without testing.

There are many alternatives to the big 3 that we don't talk about as often as we perhaps should.. compromises to the almost-100% testing route. For someone who's not pressed for cash and has time available to take some B&M classes, I've seen some schools with generous CLEP acceptance policy. One could find a college that accepts, let's say 60 testing credits. Then you'd still have to do a couple of butt-in-seat years, but still huge time savings. lol.. of course I'm so addicted to the instant gratification I get from a CLEP. I enjoy it so much that I love to test as much as I can!