We Have Moved on From the Basic “Big 3” Colleges and Now Have CBE Big 3 and Others

[bjcheung77]

once UMPI comes out with their CB CS program, they'll rule the forums ~ !

<insert applause> Haha, that's only if people are specifically looking for a CBE Comp Sci degree. For many others, there will be different options to select from...

[MNomadic]

I think it's worth mentioning UoPeople here as well for the high transfer credit option(and low cost). They're currently seeking Regional accreditation and are scheduled for another visit this fall so if they achieve it, it will also be a major option for people, particularly with the BSCS.

If you maximize transfer credit then remaining fees at UoPeople would be:
$60 application fee
$17 * 30 = $510 transfer credit fee
$120 * 10 = $1200 remaining courses
$1770 total

That would put them at the absolute cheapest option(not counting transfer credits). So while they're severely limited as a NA university, if they achieve RA, then they will likely be the cheapest option for the limited degrees they offer.

[LevelUP]

One of the biggest changes recently is employer college programs such as the guild partnership.

A school such as ASU would normally be too expensive to attend, but thanks to these employer programs, students can go there for a discount or, in some cases, for free.

ASU Student Experience

"I got my Electrical Engineering degree through sbux & ASU online. Hands down, the best decision I’ve ever made. I completed my degree in ~3.5 years, but I chose to load every semester to the max & take summer sessions. It is a lot of self-directed work & some of the professors can be hard to reach but overall it was a very positive experience. Most of my professors (like 90%) were eager to help."

Question asked

"How was/is finding a job after completing the degree if you don't mind me asking?"

ASU Student Experience

"Finding a job was actually pretty easy. I graduated with ~3.5 without internship experience & got 3 job offers. Everywhere I interviewed seemed to really like that I earned a degree while working in addition to having all that customer service experience."

My Thoughts

From what I hear, engineering is all about the school's reputation and the school's relationship with employers. Otherwise, you're wasting your time getting an engineering degree.

So if you can transfer CLEPS/DSST and/or maybe they let you transfer UMPI classes to ASU, then it might be worth it for some to attend that college for the brand name.

For almost all DegreeForum members that are not getting tuition assistance, this wouldn't be a good college to attend as this college would cost at least $32,000. 

[dfrecore]

Just to be clear, I would never put CBE in with the Big 3. I personally would not do well in a CBE program (judging by how long it took me to complete Sophia and Study.com courses). My daughter CAN NOT get through Sophia's IT course, and it's about the easiest one there is. My other kid - I doubt he'll do well with it either. It's just not our thing. I really need more structure, as does my daughter.

My husband self-studies for IT certs, so a CBE program would be a great fit for him. But I think that for a lot of people, it's just NOT a good option. Not even close. Not even at half the cost (because God knows it will take me 3x as long to finish - or even longer - or maybe I never will).

Give me a degree from one of the Big 3 any day. I'll pay more to not have to take 10 classes at a CBE school.

[jsd]

It's certainly not for everyone, but I think the general success newer forum memebrs are having with UMPI, and the direction of our recommendations here now generally pointing towards CBE, that it has proven to be the better option for many if not most people who are seeking out these types of alternative education paths. Thankfully, for those who it is not a good option for, we still have plenty of other paths available.

[ss20ts]

I think it's worth mentioning UoPeople here as well for the high transfer credit option(and low cost). They're currently seeking Regional accreditation and are scheduled for another visit this fall so if they achieve it, it will also be a major option for people, particularly with the BSCS.

If you maximize transfer credit then remaining fees at UoPeople would be:
$60 application fee
$17 * 30 = $510 transfer credit fee
$120 * 10 = $1200 remaining courses
$1770 total

That would put them at the absolute cheapest option(not counting transfer credits). So while they're severely limited as a NA university, if they achieve RA, then they will likely be the cheapest option for the limited degrees they offer.

Keep in mind that the courses are peer graded and there have been complaints about that on here and other forums. Then there's the name. It's cringey. If they become RA, then I believe they will have to make some serious changes. I can't see an RA accreditation body approving of peer grading.

[borrs]

 I can't see an RA accreditation body approving of peer grading.

Peer review is for the assignments only, and it's not always bad, I've seen worst grading from instructors in other universities  . The majority of the grade is earned by other means which are graded by instructors or automatic exams.


But the name remains cringe, changing the name will do wonders..

[jsd]

I've been in RA courses were there have been considerable peer-graded assignments, I don't think it's that odd or a deal breaker for RA -- as long as like borrs said, it's isn't a majority of the graded work.

The name doesn't bother me all that much, but I am certainly in the minority. There is vast agreement that it's not a good name. I wonder if they'll pull a Smartly Academy and change it once their accreditation changes (though even Smartly's new name is pretty bad; hopefully UotP has a better option)

[Alpha]

I think it's important to remember that the University of the People was not started for us, Americans with the means of attending other schools.  It was designed for people in other parts of the world to have an opportunity to acquire a college degree, as cheaply as is humanly possible.  The name is a reflection of those values and my guess is that it's unlikely to change.

[MNomadic]

Keep in mind that the courses are peer graded and there have been complaints about that on here and other forums. Then there's the name. It's cringey. If they become RA, then I believe they will have to make some serious changes. I can't see an RA accreditation body approving of peer grading.

Very true. I agree those are potential shortcomings but it would still be good to have another RA option, particularly for people who are prioritizing saving the most money possible and just want a checkbox RA degree.