Excelsior vs locally named University?

[EDUxplorer]

Hello,

I wanted feedback on a topic I'm sure has been covered, but I can not find much about...

Is there much difference between getting a degree from Excelsior and a locally named university?

Looking at the following options:

University of Cincinnati - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Software Application Development
vs
Excelsior University - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology 

If applying to somewhere like Harvard Extension, University of Texas at Austin, University of Pennsylvania, or Georgia Tech for a master's, would one of these be better than the other?

Excelsior could be completed in the spring or summer of 2023, while the University of Cincinnati would be in 2024 or 2025.

Thanks a ton for the feedback!

[dfrecore]

You cannot complete EU's BSIT inexpensively via alt-credit, you would have to take a ton of courses through them, so your chances of being done by spring or even summer of 2023 is not good. It would also cost a lot. Like $25k, maybe more.

I'd look at SNHU or WGU.

[bjcheung77]

In addition to that and to answer your question, I would go the University of Cincinnati route as the first choice.  It's one of the largest public/state universities in Ohio.  It'll be more recognized than private non-profit institutions such as Excelsior, SNHU, WGU.  If you're in a rush to complete a degree faster and have the energy, money, time, then go TESU route as it also is a public/state institution, but in NJ.  You could do a dual degree at TESU as well if you wanted...

[EDUxplorer]

You cannot complete EU's BSIT inexpensively via alt-credit, you would have to take a ton of courses through them, so your chances of being done by spring or even summer of 2023 is not good.  It would also cost a lot.  Like $25k, maybe more.

I'd look at SNHU or WGU.

When I checked previously, I think they had listed a lower number of credits that can transfer, but currently, they have listed up to 113 credits can transfer, and looking at it, have nearly all the classes done and could transfer except like 1. The problem with UC is the need for co-ops that will last 2 years...

---

In addition to that and to answer your question, I would go the University of Cincinnati route as the first choice.  It's one of the largest public/state universities in Ohio.  It'll be more recognized than private non-profit institutions such as Excelsior, SNHU, WGU.  If you're in a rush to complete a degree faster and have the energy, money, time, then go TESU route as it also is a public/state institution, but in NJ.  You could do a dual degree at TESU as well if you wanted...

Ah! yeah so I was thinking the public/state university might be better for name recognition, however UC will require 3 semesters of co-op, adding a year or more, plus needing senior project there.

So it feels like stuck between a rock and a hardspot.

Excelsior lacks name recognition but it seems like I could transfer in all the credits possible, do 7 more credits, 3 classes, and done.
OR
UC and do 1 year of senior project and 3 semesters of co-op, then done.

Tough... But yeah... ty your feedback is always AMAZING and I look forward to your replies, they have always added so much value.

[LevelUP]

CUNY SPS is a popular school and allows lots of transfer credits. We don't have a degree plan for this, so you have to figure this out on your own. And it will cost more and likely take more time than other options we recommend.

https://sps.cuny.edu/academics/undergraduate

ASU Online is another option. This school costs like 25k, and you can only bring in around 60 credits.

https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/

Some people do the CLEP/DSST exams and enroll in their state's flagship school. This would take at least 3 years to do as most colleges only accept a max of 30 credits from CLEP/DSST.

The more time and money you spend, the more you gamble that it will pay off versus other options.

My advice is usually to get the undergrad as fast as you can. Spend your time and money on the graduate program or go directly into the job market.

[ReyMysterioso]

Maybe you can go through the process of enrolling at Excelsior U to see what ACTUAL transfer credit they will give you vs. how much you will have left to complete. And if you're not only a couple classes from completion - if the gap to graduation is similar to better schools, that may make the decision for you. Just pull out and do a state school instead.

Applying and getting an evaluation or even enrolling doesn't obligate you to stay with the school.

[rachel83az]

Either way, keep in mind that being able to graduate 1-3 years sooner can be a huge benefit. Even moreso than "name recognition". Once you have enough job experience, the degree you have will have about as much relevance as a check-the-box degree. You should always get the best degree for you, IMO, but I wouldn't necessarily get too caught up in names and reputations.

Exception would be for universities that are known to generally lead to (exceptional) job opportunities. For example, students at MIT or Caltech haven't always finished their degrees because they get lucrative job offers as juniors or seniors. I don't know if the University of Cincinnati has a similar local reputation or not.

[EDUxplorer]

The goal for the Excelsior or UC degree is to hopefully pave the way to enter the following programs.

https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/...e-program/
https://www.edx.org/masters/online-maste...orgia-tech

However, we didn't know if Excelsior and UC would be viewed as the same when applying to these two programs. Excelsior would be much quicker to compete and not require a co-op. UC has a year-long senior project and three co-op semesters that would need to be finished. Any remaining classes would be the same.


If applying to somewhere like Harvard Extension, University of Texas at Austin, University of Pennsylvania, or Georgia Tech for a master's, would one of these be better than the other?

---

The more time and money you spend, the more you gamble that it will pay off versus other options.

My advice is usually to get the undergrad as fast as you can. Spend your time and money on the graduate program or go directly into the job market.

Get that undergrad as fast as possible and spend the money on grad seems like the running logical theme here. Thank you for the feedback on that.

---

Applying and getting an evaluation or even enrolling doesn't obligate you to stay with the school.

Yeah, we are waiting for the final paperwork to move forward with the evaluation. Speaking to them on the phone, someone suggested it looks like more than 100 credits should transfer from what my daughter has already completed. Since she is under 18 and in Ohio, there are more steps and processes to go through.

---

Either way, keep in mind that being able to graduate 1-3 years sooner can be a huge benefit. Even moreso than "name recognition". Once you have enough job experience, the degree you have will have about as much relevance as a check-the-box degree. You should always get the best degree for you, IMO, but I wouldn't necessarily get too caught up in names and reputations.

Exception would be for universities that are known to generally lead to (exceptional) job opportunities. For example, students at MIT or Caltech haven't always finished their degrees because they get lucrative job offers as juniors or seniors. I don't know if the University of Cincinnati has a similar local reputation or not.

UC is a huge name here in Cincinnati Area, where several Fortune 500s are based. This is all for my daughter, who has nearly a 4.0 and over 120 credits done... The main thing is looking to hopefully get into Harvard Extension (Software Engineer) & Georgia Tech (Cyber Security).

However, we know she needs a RA degree in CS or IT for these. Both schools will offer that, but UC seems like it might be stronger but didn't know if having her degree from Excelsior would hurt her chance of those two (Harvard/Georgia Tech) options.

In the end, it will come down to whatever choice she makes over the following weeks, but she is trying to get as much advice to consider as possible.

[Jennr2z]

Hello,

I wanted feedback on a topic I'm sure has been covered, but I can not find much about...

Is there much difference between getting a degree from Excelsior and a locally named university?

Looking at the following options:

University of Cincinnati - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Software Application Development
vs
Excelsior University - Bachelor of Science in Information Technology 

If applying to somewhere like Harvard Extension, University of Texas at Austin, University of Pennsylvania, or Georgia Tech for a master's, would one of these be better than the other?

Excelsior could be completed in the spring or summer of 2023, while the University of Cincinnati would be in 2024 or 2025.

Thanks a ton for the feedback!

I personally think that college/university name recognition is important. I chose University of Maine - Presque Isle (UMPI) over Excelsior, although other factors came into play, this was one reason.

[EDUxplorer]

Just spoke with Harvard Extension and learned that you can not join them until you have been out of high school of 5 or more years, and there are 3 classes to do with them. Getting a B or higher in them is the ticket in, the school the RA degree is from doesn't matter at all.

So now the focus is on Georgia Tech and what they will look for. Will update so it is community knowledge.

Thank you all!