Why is WGU Not More Popular?

[rowan555]

I'm curious why the "big three" seem so much more popular/commonly used than WGU. I have run the numbers for my 17 year old son and no matter how we go about it, WGU is a better value financially than the big 3. Are there other downsides I'm not taking into account? Or is the main issue that WGU doesn't allow you to transfer more than 90 or so credits into their bachelors program?

[bluebooger]

for which degree ?

don't most of their IT degrees require physics with lab ?

and I don't think you can transfer courses in after you've enrolled

I don't know about TESU and COSC, but Excelsior has no problem accepting ACE, CLEP and DSST after you've enrolled

[TrailRunr]

1) No free electives
2) 30 credit residency
3) No transfer after enrollment
4) Full time CONTINUOUS enrollment required. Must buy all-you-can-eat buffet rather than a la carte after enrollment.
5) If you take a break including the 3-month break, WGU can change your degree requirements.

That being said, if you're choosing between BSBA:CIS as an IT degree and one of WGU's IT degrees, I think the WGU grad will have an easier time finding a job. The BSBA:CIS at TESU is bloated with business courses, has no IT certs, and the courses aren't that helpful with the technical skills needed to get/hold a job.

[jsd]

as bluebooger stated, they're a little weird in how they lock out any additional transfer credits, and they're not as generous with ACE (and don't accept NCCRS at all as far as I can tell). They're better about ACE than many places, but can't hold a candle to the Big 3. There's also no room for electives and the like.

That said, I don't think they're a bad option. For IT degrees, they definitely can't be beat based on the industry certifications being rolled into tuition and part of the degree plan.

Edit: bit of crossover with TrailRunr here, we posted at the same time

[dfrecore]

I think it depends. For one thing, if you don't have money up front, but can do a little bit every month, then it's really hard to come up with the cash to do WGU. It's easier to be able to do a little at a time at the Big 3, as you can afford it (and I think most people on here are paying cash as they go, but I could be wrong).

That being said, I think that WGU is a great program, especially as you get towards the end of your degree and only have the UL courses in your major to go. I think it compares favorably to the Big 3 when you look at finishing up the WGU degree in a single term, vs. TESU's Capstone/Residency Waiver vs. COSC's Cornerstone/Capstone/Fees vs. EC's Capstone/Fees.

So, with all things being equal, and you figuring out the most bang for your buck at WGU in terms of transferring in courses and only doing 1 term there, I think they are all pretty much equal.

One last thing - WGU doesn't have nearly as many majors as the others, so it's a lot more limited in that way. But for a Business and especially an IT degree, it's a great deal. Nursing too, if it works in your state.

[rowan555]

Thanks, everyone - that was helpful. I was worrying there was perhaps some big downside to WGU I was missing. He'll be pursuing a Business degree and will have about 36 credits to complete when he officially enrolls. He's planned on this since the beginning, so he's taking various ACE courses based on what they will accept for transfer credit. One misstep in this was taking a Shmoop history course - they won't accept Shmoop - but it was only 25 bucks, and he really enjoyed the course, so it's all good. I definitely see your great points above regarding the time commitment, money commitment, and lack of flexibility with WGU - my son is fortunate enough to be able to devote himself full time to WGU and the plan is to finish in one term - so that's not too bad for us financially. And it's possible we'll get a $2,000 tax credit back from that since he hasn't used any American Opportunity Tax Credit years yet. I've been helping guide him through this process, and I just wanted to be sure this really is the right move for him - he is confident about it and I am too, but there's always that little concern that something else might be better, etc.

[bluebooger]

ass bluebooger...

[TrailRunr]

rowan555, thanks for bringing up the American Opportunity Credit.

If you can handle the pace of 30+ credits per term, WGU makes a lot of sense at 60+ credits if you can claim the AOC.

Start at WGU in July and finish in December. Then do your second term in January and go to June. The bad part is that you will have to wait a while to get reimbursed via the AOC. But you can take out student loans in the meantime.

Who is going to pay for the PF, SL, textbooks for PF/SL, etc? You are. There is no 1098-T. Even my employer won't touch these.

[jsd]

Sheesh, I edited that out. hilarious

I really need to get better about proofreading my on the fly posts.

[videogamesrock]

That tax credit is set to expire in 2017. I have not seen anything onthe renewal and i doubt it will be reissued.