Many students and parents assume that attending an elite, well-known university is the key to a great career and future financial success. But that’s not always the case.
A recent study found that graduates of regional and second-tier colleges, on average, earn about the same as those who go to prestigious flagship universities. And surprisingly, it also confirms that students with associate’s degrees often out-earn bachelor’s degree-holders.
Even if you’re only a high school freshman, it’s never too early to start thinking about college.
Planning ahead can help keep high school students on track so they are well-prepared for college, instead of scrambling to choose a college and fill out applications at the last minute.
You’re probably familiar with the U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of best colleges. Their ranking system, however, has been criticized for favoring prestige and institutional wealth over how well the school serves its students.
The President’s ranking system would instead be based on a mix of value and performance, rather than overall prestige. This methodology is actually very similar to the one Washington Monthly has been using for years to rate colleges.
These rankings may surprise you. Check out the 2013 list of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.
We sometimes hear from students and parents asking if college is even worth attending in today’s era of astronomical costs and a still sluggish-economy. For many, college is a great investment that pays off in the long run by giving students opportunities to enter certain career field and make more money over their lifetimes. But for some people, it’s not worth the cost because they choose the wrong school, never finish their degree, or end up paying too much.
Instead of asking whether college is worth it, Washington Monthly argues that students and families should be asking themselves, “What colleges will charge people like me the least and give me the highest chance of graduating with a degree that means something in the marketplace?” So they created a formula to help college students and families figure it out.
In his recent trip to nearby Buffalo, Syracuse, and Binghamton, President Obama revealed his new plan to make college more affordable.
This handy infographic from the White House explains the major reforms and initiatives the President hopes to advance in order to hold colleges accountable for providing a quality education, encourage schools to use technology to cut costs, and make it easier for borrowers to repay their student loans.
In his visit to Western New York today, President Obama unveiled a series of higher education reforms aimed at making college more affordable. A new way of ranking colleges His ideas include creating a new rating system for colleges that would judge schools on measures like tuition, graduation rates, debt and earnings of graduates, and […]
The cost of college has risen all over the country, and schools in our home of Western New York have not been an exception.
Check out this video from WGRZ to learn about the cost of higher education in the Western New York region and how President Obama will address the issue in his visit to the area later this week.
The Education Department has released its annual list of the country’s most expensive colleges, both private and public. For 2011-12 academic year, Columbia University narrowly edged out Sarah Lawrence as the college with the highest tuition in the U.S., at $45,290 per year. This does not include room and board, books, or college fees, which push most of the most expensive colleges’ list prices far above $60,000.
Like many prospective college students we work with, Erin had a firm idea about the college she wanted to attend. She believed she had found her “dream school” when she submitted her seat deposit to Wake Forest University during her senior year of high school.
But that all changed when Erin had a conversation with her parents about the financial implications of her decision to attend the private North Carolina university. Her parents were requiring she take a 50% stake in her college education, regardless of where she went. Erin wasn’t receiving any financial aid or scholarships from Wake Forest, and with her parents only willing to pay for half of the full $160,000 tuition bill, she would have to come up with $80,000.
Believe it or not, private colleges are now offering more financial aid than ever. Of course, with college costs rising, it make sense for financial aid to adjust accordingly. However, it’s not just the amount of grants and scholarships that’s increasing–it’s the percentage of the overall tuition total. According to Time Magazine, in a survey […]