Private Colleges & Universities
Campus-Based vs Accelerated-Career Universities
So First----Lesson #1:
To Avoid Confusion Moving Forward!
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Almost Everything outside of Public Universities & Community Colleges is Private.
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That should make things REALLY Simple. Here we cover 2 of those Private Institution "Types" while others have their own sections under the Main Category: The "8 Types of Schools".
The others may share several characteristics that overlap with those focused on here----but there are some note-worthy differences that you'll want details on when you're considering which
Higher Ed opportunity is best for you.
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OK, So what Private Institutions are we Covering Here?
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1. Campus-Based Universities (The Traditional Ones)
Our Focus: These vs Traditional Public Universities
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2. Accelerated-Career Universities
Our Focus: These vs both Traditional Public & Private Universities
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*Just FYI, the other 2 "Private" Categories are Career Schools & Online Universities
and they've got their own sections under The "8 Types of Schools"​​​​​
OK, So What are the Key Differences Between Those Covered Here?
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1. Traditional Private Campus-Based Universities are kinda self-explanatory. They're NEARLY THE SAME as Public Universities, but typically much smaller (ie... campus, student body, and class sizes). They can seem more exclusive, often offer more individual attention, & and on average-----the costs are a good bit higher. These Universities will usually have many of the same type of facilities, activities, and team sports----but obviously on smaller scales as compared to Public Universities. Lastly, like the bigger schools they typically run on the normal 2-Semester system (with some options for summer). You'll see signs for them about every 25 miles on most Interstates and a great percentage are in more of a small-to-mid town setting.
Just Note: There are usually at least 1 or 2 Private Universities in each state that mirror Public University characteristics and SIZE. Some are Power-4 FBS "Football Schools", others are Academically Prestigious Nationally, and a handful are both---yet you'd almost never know they were Private unless you looked them up (at least we didn't). Anyway---our focus will be the smaller, lessor known versions (which equate to more than 95% of them)...
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2. Accelerated-Career Universities are quite a bit different. They are usually located near mid-to-large cities (often just on the outskirts) and they're the type you commute to a couple times a week. They often are in 1-4 stand-alone buildings, or sometimes have space in larger Office Complexes. These typically advertise more, have flashier sounding degree names, and are on significantly Accelerated-Term schedules. The Majors they offer are typically "more specific" and the overall atmosphere is more geared toward the end game (Careers & Employers). With these---you can get a Bachelor's knocked out in 2.5-to-3 years or less with most Majors. Add in a few CollegeDawg "Speed to Degree" strategies (or an extra class here and there) and you might end up closer to 18-24 months.
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Anyway----Got a Decent Picture in your Head Now?
***Let's Start With***
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CAMPUS-BASED
PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
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In the spirit of TRUE transparency, BEFORE OUR RESEARCH, we felt that Campus-Based Private Universities would be tough to justify when it came to “Cost”, even though that is the type I (Brian) graduated from.
In many cases they end up being double the cost (or more), and MOST have no more “Prestige” than a State “Flagship” School or a Mid-Level Public Regional University. Now, to be clear, we are talking about those that most people outside of the state haven’t heard of----not the obvious BIG BOYS with nationwide recognition. We're talking about the one's you see small signs for along the Interstates or State Highways. Generally, you don't know who they are nor what their purpose is. Have we painted a good picture for you?
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Now Moving On...I can tell you this, regional Campus-Based Private Colleges have NEVER entered the equation in my HIRING DECISIONS----so neither good nor bad. This was applicable at every organization I’ve been affiliated with. So, take that for what it’s worth (which may be nothing!). However, after looking at some of their “UNIQUE” cost cutting abilities in Certain Specific Scenarios related to the student, we may now feel slightly different and see how they can be a great option for some. Additionally, you will see that they have some DISTINCTIVE BENEFITS you just can't find in the other "Types" of Schools we cover. Those may mean something to you, or may not. This really is a situation of what is most valuable to you. One thing you must know first is the term "Net Cost". You'll see it a lot, and it's what keeps the battle close when comparing Public Univ.'s as well as other competitors in the Private College "space".
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*NET COST = total paid annually after all Federal, State, & Institutional Aid (free money) has been applied. Simply put----it's kinda like Apples to Apples. If you can go here for 25k total cost vs. 30k at a Public Institution---they have a lower "Net Cost".
But you're smart---we're certain you knew that.
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So, let's move on to the important stuff---Key Pro's & Con's of Campus-Based Private Institutions...
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Advantages & Drawbacks to Campus-Based Private Universities
(Note: The terms Universities & Colleges used interchangeably as always. Most categories are "as compared" to Public Universities)
Pro's or Advantages
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* Often smaller, more “community-like” Campuses. Students may feel like they are part of something "Special". Many Colleges will fall in the 2,000 to 5,000 student population range. That's far different than the 30,000 average you may find at your state's "Flagship Schools".
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* A Perception of Exclusivity or Prestige
* Fairly Small Class Sizes at a lot of Universities - Often receive Personalized Attention from Professors and sometimes a Formal or Informal Mentorship Experience.
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* Many can be AWFULLY GENEROUS with CLEPS, DSSTS, Dual Credits, APs, “Life Experience Credits” & Course Substitutions.
Remember: These Guys Need You----perhaps even more than any
other type of School we cover.
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* More often than not these usually have far better Customer Service and Accesibilty to necessary Departments & Leadership within them.
(As compared to most mid-to-large size Public Univ. & Comm. Colleges)
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* The Colleges can be more connected with the overall Community (since many are in/near small towns). In a lot of cases they are the
MAIN FOCUS or “Draw” for that town.
* Safer (more disciplined) campuses generally. And, as mentioned, they're often in areas that tend to have lower overall crime rates.
​*All else being equal (like Price and Your "In-Demand" Major) - Private Colleges can be better for those needing more individual help & attention. (Also helpful for students with conditions like Social Anxiety)
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* There are often more Like-Minded Individuals. This includes both Personnel & Student Population. While most are fairly neutral in nature, many are Faith or Mission Based which may be a huge draw for some students (and parents).
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* Slower-Paced Transition from Living with Mom & Dad in High School to living completely independent in the real world. More like "wading in" vs. "being thrown into the deep end" of the pool.
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* Less Distractions that Might Impact Student Success. This is typically a RESULT of several other Advantages listed here. Locale, Campus Size, Population, Student Interests, Individual Visibility/Accountability etc...
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* Many have no “Out of State” rates (generally it's expensive for all...equally)
* Kinda a PRO & CON: THEY HAVE TONS of ”Scholarships & Grants” offered to almost everyone---so that excessive Tuition amount isn’t really “THE PRICE”. In Business we call this Prestige Pricing. The illusion of value based on cost. Once they shower you with discounts (Merit-Based or not)---people see it as potentially worth another 5-10k annually over Public Universities to get that 60K a year education. This, of course, may not be the best way of thinking for most people!
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* Keeping with that theme. Someone who gets full Pell and other Need-Based Grants may see a few more added on at these Schools. Additionally, those who will play sports or get additional Academic scholarships (but not full rides) could come in below the price of a Public University once "Net Cost" is calculated.
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* Some offer Unique Scholarships or Grants that you might not often see elsewhere. Religious Affiliation Grants, Local Resident Grants, Community College Partnership Grants, Non-Institutional Grants they can Influence, Ward of the State Grants, Tuitional Exchange Grants etc.. They also have far more Latitude with their own money and the use of their Endowment funds vs. pretty much all other School Types both Public and Private. We're not gonna explain all these---just know there are MANY opportunities out there----some might even cover full tuition in certain cases. Now, some of you might be thinking...can you "become qualified" for some of those unique financial assistance options quickly (wink wink)? You bet. In fact, they may help expedite your eligibility quite a bit under several different scenarios.
-See our negotiation sections for more info on this...
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* Individuals with certain "Characteristics" could end up spending less at a Private University. There are often serious discounts (Grants & Scholarships) just based upon your Demographics and your Personal Attributes. Like some of our other scenarios, this can give the School plenty of ammo to provide more free money to get that "Net Cost" down to compete with the Public Colleges you may be considering.
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* Classes tend to be cancelled less often vs. Public Universities due to things like class size. They don't always have hard-fast rules that MUST BE MET in order to proceed.
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* THIS IS A GOOD ONE FOR THE CONSUMER. This does not apply to all--but in some cases you can get an AWESOME DEAL if you're looking at a Major where they have minimal sign-ups this Semester (and time is winding down). No College wants to appear like they're not in demand---thus they're thrilled to have another person to add to the 5-6 they already have starting in that Major this term. The last thing they want to do is tell a handful of people they won't be running the program yet--- especially if those other 5-6 have used CollegeDawg's "Speed to Degree" strategy and don't need all the Gen Ed's and Electives they'd park you in. Thus, to keep from losing THOSE STUDENTS, you might end up with a pretty good deal to entice you to come aboard.
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* Some Universities will provide major discounts to Veterans with the GI Bill (via the "Yellow Ribbon" program). Additionally, my fellow Veterans---these Universities can become very generous with HUGE Room & Board discounts on top of that! (When pressed of course).
Con’s or Disadvantages
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NOTE: Unlike the "Pro's" where the benefits are often self-explanatory, these may take a tad more detail for contrast purposes. The Great News---there are less Con's!
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* Cost - You just can't avoid this as #1. These typically run 55-65k annually "all in" in South Carolina (mine in NC is in the low 60k range). To compare, a Public University averages a tad under 30k total (w/ Room & Board). However, like we said in the Pro section, for certain scenarios---"Net Cost" (the total after the College's Grants and Scholarships are added in) can come in lower than some Public Universities. This is usually the minority of cases though.
* You may not get close to a low "Net Cost" as compared to other students if you are not Pell Eligible, have a sizable Athletic Scholarship, or more exclusive "non-Automatic" Academic Scholarships. In many cases you will be a good bit beyond the costs of a Public University even with all the "free money" they might apply.
* Limited Degree Choices at many. Some Private Colleges have under 2,000 students total (some even fewer). You just can't offer that many Majors and realistically meet classroom benchmarks. This also means less of the MORE USEFUL In-Demand, Specific, & Higher Paying Majors.
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* Along the same lines, at some smaller Universities there are more limitations on the total classes that can be offered each semester. Thus, in some circumstances "Speed to Degree" can be greatly hampered as compared to other Higher Ed Options. You just can't move it along much faster if you've knocked out most Gen Eds & Basic Electives. You need more Major Courses offered CONSISTENTLY. This is Critical.
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* Perceived Prestige - But with who? I've been living in SC over 20 years on and off. I'm interested in this stuff, and I couldn't name more than 5-6 Campus-Based Private Universities before we started the research for CollegeDawg. I certainly had no idea which were "Prestigious" OR WHY. While I was in Florida as an "Out-of-Stater"---before I came back in 2017, I think I could've only named 3 in the whole state of SC that I knew for sure were "Private".
So again----if you had to pin us down. We'd say from the Employer perspective the "Prestige" thing really doesn't "hold water". Just because you cost more, have less students, and even have slightly higher entrance standards----those of us hiring in the real world kinda-sorta don't care. (Was that too harsh?)
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* Athletic Scholarships & Academic Scholarships
OK, don't be mad at us. But these Colleges understand Ego, Pride. & Facebook. They know the helicopter Mom's gonna be bragging on Social Media about how her little "Susie" got offered a GENEROUS Athletic Scholarship for Lacrosse and a SIZABLE Award for her HS Academic success. To add another kicker---it's at a "Private University".
That's Awesome. I just "Liked" Her Post.
My question is simple:
Did Susie get any offer from a Public University remotely comparable to either of those Institutional Awards? Yeah, don't answer that----it was rhetorical. Just know these are often kinda like "ego-boosting coupons" and designed to lock you in. Remember---the Colleges are fine with YOUR "Net Cost" being slightly below a Public University. They already have open classroom seats, cafeterias serving food already, and dorms already in use---believe me, the school may "cost" 60k (all-in)----but most are really ok with 20k in a lot of cases.
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* Limited Campus Facilities & Student Organizations. From smaller Labs and Tech Centers---to fewer Student Clubs and participating students within them. It's definitely worth considering depending on a student's Major & overall desire regarding Social Activities.
​* Lack of Exposure to Diversity. Let's keep it real. Many think this is a Pro and many a Con. Neither viewpoint is 100% wrong or 100% right. Simply put, with many of the Private Colleges you'll just have less diversity. This includes all of the normal categories along with various International Students & Unique Cultural Backgrounds. From a Con perspective, it just doesn't necessarily represent what you'll encounter post-graduation in the US workforce. Conversely--(as a "Pro") many Parents who have been raising a Student with certain standards & beliefs, can see this as just a slower-paced step into the real world while continuing to build on those desired characteristics.
* Employers affiliated (or hiring) from the school. It's simple math and common sense. If you have 2000 students, it may not be worth the time for larger companies to give the School great attention. Additionally, MANY of these are 20-50 miles outside of any sizable city. You get the point. Obviously this would be one of the Top 3 things CollegeDawg would have you discuss with them first. The campus tours are great, BUT...
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* Smaller Alumni Networks. We think this card is over-played at the Big Universities as being extremely important---but again, using basic math you're far more likely to run into fellow Grads from a state Flagship Univ. ("Football School") in the workforce, in person, and on LinkedIn, then you are from a College with 4,000 students slightly off the beaten path.​
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* Some Colleges often focus on Dependent Students with Parents who qualify for Federal Parent Plus Loans (another $20k annually available). Beyond that, others in the "Sweet Spot" are wealthier families, fully Pell eligible students with additional Federal & State Funding, and in some cases Veteran's with the Post 9-11 GI Bill. It's basic Business 101 once again. It's WAAAAY easier to close the sale when the customer can use "OPM" (Other People's Money).
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OK, that should be just about all the basics you'd want to know regarding
Campus-Based Private Colleges & Universities.
They're definitely worth a look...
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With that knocked out, let's take a look at a notably different type of "4 Year" College
The Accelerated-Career University (and yeah, it doesn't take 4 years)​
Accelerated-Career Universities
OK, first off----On those Colleges shown above, we are not specifically recommending any of them individually, they're just pretty mainstream examples, & a couple have a dozen+ locations. But, if one was near me and I was motivated to get that Bachelor's done in roughly 2 years AND they had EMPLOYERS HIRING DIRECTLY FROM THEM EVERY TERM----I'd have to give them a look. Simply put---like we've mentioned OVER & OVER on CollegeDawg---going to College is typically about getting into a Career for most people. And, after you land that first job, the name on the Degree and the format of your training rarely matters to the overwhelming majority of American Employers. After Job #1----it's all about YOUR EXPERIENCE, Performance, Networking, Landing Interviews, & Nailing those Interviews. Always keep that in the back of your mind!
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​Now let's take a look at an Overview of the Purpose, Advantages, & Potential Drawbacks of Accelerated-Career Universities.
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So Why Might You Choose One of These Universities?
(Note: Our focus is primarily what sets them apart...vs Campus-Based Public & Campus-Based Private Universities)
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1. Career Focused. Typically, that's the name of the game. Get you in, Get you Trained, and Get you Working. That's a pretty decent tagline! Typically, they have employers involved with training, making changes to curriculum, and as a fairly constant hiring stream.
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2. Accelerated Terms. For me, this is tied for #1. If you found a Major you like at the School, checked with them regarding existing employer relationships, & and the Degree/Major meets our standard parameters for selection (In-Demand, Above Median Income, Forecasted Growth, &
A Specific Degree or Training is usually essential for the Industry)-----you too may find this option irresistible.
***Quick Note: When we use the word "TERM"---we are using it interchangeably with "Course Block" for simplicity. Many Colleges use the latter as the official descriptor for these courses. Used casually, both typically describe "sessions" held WITHIN the "Traditional Semester" Academic Year.
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Now, let's see if we can make this Accelerated stuff brain-friendly.
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2a. Most Traditional Campus-Based Universities run on two 15-17 week Semesters. Students typically take 4-5 classes per Semester.
If you want to get done in 4 years, the path is usually 10 classes per year (30+ Semester Hours). Not considering CD's Speed-to-Degree strategies (and excluding going to 6 classes per semester), the only way you'll speed this up a tad is by taking a few Summer Classes---but there is often a limited selection available.
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2b. Accelerated-Career Universities run a minimum of 4 Terms per year----but can often offer 6-12 TERMS PER YEAR! Yup, we know of two that do 4-5 week terms---so essentially each class is about a month long. You just take 1-2 classes at a time with those. Since we know NOT EVERY class you need will be offered at all times---we're gonna assume you take an average of 1.5 classes a term to speed things up (so some months 1 and others 2).
So, let's do the math: to keep it easy we'll say 12 monthly Terms. (i.e. 12 classes per year---taking one at a time). That would equal 12 classes per year vs. the normal University standard of 10 courses annually. Now let's sprinkle in an extra class every other month. That's now 18 classes per year---almost double the big boys. So that's part of how they do it. Even if you came in with no "Speed to Degree" credits---you might be looking at this calculation: 120 Semester Hours needed to graduate / 3 hours per course = 40 total classes.
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*Completing 18 per year would put you on pace to graduate in 2.25 years...so it's kinda tempting, right?
*IMPORTANT: Several of these Colleges use the term "Semester"---but it's all about the TERMS within the Semester (to get the full picture).
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​2c. These Colleges go YEAR ROUND. We're guessing you already picked up on this considering the math used above.
Thus, we'll keep this simple.
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Regarding 4-5 week terms, the examples above reflect 4-6 courses completed while those mainstream Universities are on all those breaks. This would keep you on pace to graduate in 2-2.5 years at 18 classes per year (coming in with no credits).
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Now, if you go with a "4 Terms per year" College, with 4 classes at a time, that would equal 16 classes a year----however, we're sure you could even get approval for a term or two at 5 classes if you came in with no credits and still had a bunch of flexibility on course selection.
Just know: This is not the norm with these Schools. Students typically go with 2-3 classes at a time due to full-time work, outside activities, childcare etc.. Three classes at a time (12 per yr.) would still get you done about 1-2 traditional semesters sooner than "normal".
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2d. IMPORTANT: Classes are ACCELERATED Not Abbreviated. Generally speaking, a 3 semester hour class at a Accelerated-Career University still requires about the same amount of work as a Traditional University 15-17 week class. Some have more Instructional/Contact hours, while others rely a lot on Hybrid Online portions, Independent Learning Activities, Group Sessions etc... Either way, whether it is total classroom format with homework, or Asynchronous or Blended Learning--the same workload is expected. Does each class meet that standard always? What do you think.... I can just tell you for comparison that "an anonymous Mentee" of ours at a MAJOR Football School just had 2 of his 5 classes receive shortened "live" classroom time by Professors nearing Semester's end-------so then there's that.
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3. Day or Night Classes-----along with some individual Hybrid Online classes. The night options will be more limited, but generally they will have a much higher percentage of Majors available vs Community Colleges and any Traditional University "Night Schools". This can often make AFFORDABILITY much more palatable due to the fact many students can work the higher-paying more traditional day-time jobs if they so choose.
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*Note: In the past, a large portion of the student populations at Colleges "like these" were Adult Professionals seeking to get Bachelor's Degrees in fields related to Leadership, thus earning "a ticket to the game" for promotions at their place of employment or at other prospective employers. It was ALMOST ALWAYS the shortest path to a Degree. The typical majors included Business Administration, Public Admin., Management, Human Resources Mgt, Leadership, Healthcare Admin. etc... In the 2000's & early 2010's there was a lot of competition for this business, but most in this space have now gone almost completely online which has proven to be much more lucrative for them. Just know, most Accelerated-Career Universities still offer several of these Majors if face-to-face training would work best for you----it's just not their main niche.
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4. Degree/Major Options. These are often limited to 15-20 Bachelor's & the majority of the names are very Focused and may sound FLASHIER. You will not find many of those Literature, Foreign Language, Psychology, Gender Studies, Performing Arts, or Archelogy type names. Again, they're very often focused on Job Demand & Income Levels. One of their "Niches" often revolves around filling very specific gaps missed by typical Universities (i.e. they might offer "Homeland Security" or "Crime Scene Tech." vs the broader Criminal Justice). We'll provide plenty of EXAMPLES of these Majors a little further down this page.
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​5. No Waiting. You can generally sign-up and start within a few weeks (not wait 4 or 5 months). Most Degrees have very specific Major courses (without a bunch of others to choose from). This FOCUS makes it easier for these schools to keep the classes running year-round. Rarely will you have to wait more than a couple "terms" to take a specific course. In fact, many just go in a specific order to keep things simple. Again, these Colleges aren't about the extras and the fluff. They essentially TELL YOU what the employers want and give you exactly that.
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​6. Some offer Associate Degrees as well. This IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WILL SEE at Traditional Universities very often. In the rare case they do award you an Associate Degree roughly halfway through---it's typically in something like "General Education" or a basic "Associate of Arts" with no specialization (I got one of those...)
Anyway, many of the "Applied" Associate Degrees offered at these Accelerated-Career Universities are designed to stand alone and meet the educational expectations for their chosen Career Field. However, others can be earned as part of a higher-level Bachelor's degree some students are looking to complete. Either way, this allows Associate Degree grads to get working in a Professional Career in about a year in some Majors (when combined with our "Speed to Degree" strategies).
*Sorta related: Accelerated-Degree Universities are now offering more and more Specialized Master's Degrees as well---if that's your thing.
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7. Location & Convenience. These Colleges are typically on the outskirts of Mid-to-Large cities. Again, they are almost always in 1-4 buildings or located in part of major Office Complexes. As mentioned when we started---several of these Schools have multiple campuses throughout various regions (some have over a dozen total).
So, what's the benefit? You can often go to School without having to change addresses. Even if you have to move, their term structuring can often allow you to go to school "Full Time" while working "Full Time" typically in close proximity to a main city with more employment opportunities.
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8. Adjunct Instructors, Industry Current Equipment, & Employer Input. Like "Career Schools", they often have MANY Instructors currently working in the field (or they were recently). That can be helpful vs. those in Academia for the last 15 years. Along that same track, the Equipment is usually pretty up-to-date. They'll usually use the term "Industry Current" (so they don't get sued). Lastly, don't forget MANY of these Career Focused Colleges are constantly getting feedback or recommendations on curriculum and training from multiple Employers.
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9. Small Class Sizes, Extra Attention, and decent overall Customer Service. OK----as mentioned elsewhere, I've had a ton of experience in the industry and have dealt with all "8 Types of Schools" in one form or another. This, combined with a little research and feedback from others, led to a relatively obvious conclusion. If you're looking for Small Class Sizes, Extra Individual Attention, & want solid Customer Service----ON AVERAGE this seems to be noticeably better at the Smaller Campus-Based Private Universities, the Accelerated-Degree Universities, and the Career School variations. Simply put---if this is part of your criteria, definitely give these Schools a look. Whether it's the fact that they NEED YOU as a customer, are run as "Private", or are just smaller---these categories are certainly "differentiators" for them.
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10. Your Focus & Interest Level Over Time. One advantage many people don't consider is interest level in various courses. With someone like me, short terms (4-8 weeks) might keep my attention more and not drag out classes I really don't like. Additionally, it's often easier to truly LEARN a subject over a shorter period of time before monotony kicks in. But of course, this is different for everyone. Our job's just to point out the key differentiators to simplify the path forward.
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OK that's it for your basic Overview and Advantages. You get the picture.
But before we get to Potential Drawbacks, there are a few that might be a "Pro" for some students and a "Con" for others.
Let's check out 3...​​
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1. Academic Rigor. Yeah, I'm on the side of not pushing my brain too hard---yet getting decent grades with a little less effort (providing we get what employers expect). But even I have been in a class or two that I thought was overly "dumbed down". These can be a mixed bag. They may contain more consistently relevant info than your basic Community College or some Branch University classes, but if you need to feel special because you were just 2 of 10 people in the class that got an "A" on that test----you may be let down a bit. Just saying.
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2. High Acceptance Rates. OK---let's be real---almost everyone gets in. NOT FOR ALL PROGRAMS, but as a whole. You might take a short entrance test just to ensure you're prepared for certain curriculums; however, most Majors require pretty low bars for entrance. This might be great news for those who just want to sign up without all the drama, or those who are nervous about going to College in their late 20's. But for others (right or wrong) it can feel like they are settling. Which kinda leads to the next one...
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3. Student Body Overview. OK----don't get nervous. This shouldn't get too uncomfortable. Just some facts that may impact personal preference and help manage expectations for students regarding their "College Experience". FIRST OFF: If you're an 18-year-old fresh out of High School, you will likely be a bit younger than the average student at the majority of these schools. What do we mean? TO GENERALIZE: depending on which
Accelerated-Career University you're looking at, the age groups can often break out like this.
25% 18-21 year olds
50% 22-26 year olds
25% 27 and above
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Again, that's just a general picture. Beyond that---people will be from all walks of life. Some are recent High School Grads who were highly motivated "AP" students, while others have been out of school for 10-15 years & never took education seriously. These Institutions often look like a major hodge-podge of society which (right or wrong) might not meet what the potential student has envisioned for their "College Experience". ​
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So Now---before we hit the Potential Drawbacks of the Accelerated-Career Universities...
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Let's give you a break and look at the types of Bachelor's Degrees these Schools are offering (with base graduation times of 2.5-3 years).
Of course, with many you'll be able to shorten that by just taking an extra class every other term (or whenever they offer one you need). Additionally, using the "Speed to Degree" strategies will obviously impact this EVEN MORE in most majors.
Note: Healthcare Specialties often require SEQUENTIAL (or "Lock-Step") Major courses. This would make your overall timeframe pretty much set if they have Major classes in each term starting with term 1. HERE'S THE GREAT NEWS THOUGH. If you didn't read this earlier elsewhere on the site, Healthcare Specialties almost always just require an APPLIED Associate Degree (i.e. a "Focused" or "Specialized" A.S. Degree). VERY FEW require a Bachelor's specifically. Basically, it's typically ASSOCIATE DEGREE or GRAD SCHOOL/Doctorate level Medical Programs. So, in the Healthcare Section below, most listed will be available at various Accelerated-Career Universities in the form of 18-21 month Associate Programs.
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Each of the sections contain mostly Bachelor's Degrees w/ a few Associate names sprinkled in. Keep in mind, each of these Universities often have several Associate Degrees related to most fields. Lastly, remember---many will be more Specific, Unique, or just FLASHIER Sounding. Let us know if you agree!
IT Related
Mostly Bachelor's shown but MANY Associate options available.
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*Digital Forensics​​ *Artificial Intelligence
*Cloud Computing
*Simulation Engineering
*Cybersecurity
*IT Project Management
*Network Engineer
*Data Analytics
*UX & Web Development
*Software Development
*User Experience
*Computer Drafting & Design
*Business Analytics
*Animation & Game Design
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STEM Related
Mostly Bachelor's shown, but a couple related A.S. included.​
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*Electrical Engineering
*Mechatronics
*Medical & Clinical Lab
​*Applied Engineering
*Mechanical Engineering
*Biotechnology
*Robotics & Automation
*Architecture & Design
*Histotechnology
*Construction Management
*Electronics System Engineer
*Architectural Building Engineer
*Biomedical Science
*Electronics, Robotics & Drones
Healthcare Related​​​​
Mostly Associate Options.
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*Radiation Therapy
​*Occupational Therapy Asst.​​
*Surgical Technology
*Diagnostic Med. Sonography
*Registered Nurse
*Dental Hygienist
*Radiologic Technology
*Physical Therapy Asst.
*Paramedic - EMS
*Respiratory Care
*Veterinary Technology
*Nuclear Medicine Technology​​
*Imaging Sciences (BS)
*Public Health (BS)
*Health Practice Mgt (BS)
*Health Information Mgt. (BS)​​
Business, Law, & Others...
Mostly Bachelor's shown but a couple Associate options included.
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*Business Intelligence
*Public Relations
*Homeland Security
*Entertainment Business
*Crime & Intelligence Analysis
*Forensics & Incident Response
*Sports Broadcasting
*Occupational Health & Safety
*Fire Science
*Film Production
*Sports Management
*Crime Scene Tech
*Digital Marketing
*Oper. Logistics, & Supply Chain
*Game Business and Esports
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Alright CollegeDawg! These Accelerated-Career Universities Sound Great!
What's the Catch?
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OK, so here are some potential Drawbacks
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1. Prestige - or actually the opposite. Fair or not. Some people see these in the same light as Community Colleges or State Technical Schools. They're often viewed as a type of "Night School"---which for some previous generations meant "not real college". Essentially you can lump them in with those Colleges (along with "Online Driven" Programs), as some Higher Ed options that could have a little "Stigma". Either way you shake it...there are a minority of people that view all of these as inferior as compared to Campus-Based Public & Private Universities.
Note: As mentioned earlier----several of these Accelerated-Career Universities have multiple locations. Obviously there can be noticeable differences in Operations & Student Success between locations. Make sure you take a tour during normal daytime hours, talk to the "Program Chair", visit the Career Services Dept (regarding Employers), and even consider sitting through a couple Major-related classes. Be careful relying just on local reviews, as they can sometimes have minimal posts and be skewed by a few disgruntled customers (but of course, we're not saying they're wrong). Just do your homework.
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2. Cost. - OK, so they cost quite a bit more than Community College (if you actually have to pay for that in your area), but typically they're in line with your Branch or Regional Public Universities. You will save on the "Living on Campus" stuff---since you won't be, however cost per semester hour on tuition is generally in the same ballpark. One big difference will be on how the Financial Aid Department handles the Accelerated part...
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3. Financial Aid for Accelerated Programs. So, you want to go fast right? Well, what most people forget is, you're still taking the same number of courses as a Traditional University. So, what's the problem? Well, most of America pays for the majority of College with Financial Aid (e.g. Pell Grants, Other Federal & State Grants, and Student Loans). The issue is Governmental Financial Aid is a "Per Year" thing---meaning your courses are more compacted in the first 2 years---as are the costs. On the bright side, the way some of these Schools have their terms "structured", there is the possibility of additional Federal FA funding in some cases. Additionally, the Accelerated-Career Universities often have some "free money" they can throw your way (Institutional Grants or Scholarships) to offset a portion of these costs. Just keep in mind----it will still be a good bit cheaper than dealing with "Room & Board" costs at a Campus-Based University. Just something to think about. The good news is, it's usually very easy to get a simple appointment to war-game Financial Aid options well ahead of time (like tomorrow or the next day---no kidding). Additionally, their FA Teams are well-versed in almost all scenarios!
The Bottom Line: Is getting into your Career 2 years sooner worth considering a little alternative funding over the first 2 years (if necessary)? For me---100%. I'm all about LOST OPPORTUNITY COSTS. But you'll have to make that call.
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4. State-Based Automatic Scholarships. Here's one most people don't think about. If you qualified for an Automatic Scholarship for your State, Region, City etc... can you even use it at these Schools? Sometimes not. As of right now (Dec 2025) you cannot use the HOPE, LIFE, or PALMETTO Scholarships in South Carolina unless the main University HQ is in the state (so not "Branches"). That sorta makes sense, I guess. So, if you have roughly $3000-$7000 annually ready to go---you can't use it in this scenario. HOWEVER, there is good news. MANY of these types of Schools will kick in some cash to cover what you can't use. Problem solved-----or semi-solved, depending on the amounts. Either way, keep in mind you'll only be there 2 years if you do it right. Would I let not getting my $10,000 in free money cost me a 2-year delay in getting into my Career? Not a chance.
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5. Transfer Credits. If for some reason you leave one of these schools, you may not get all the credits to transfer to a Public Institution (State University or sometimes a Community College). Just check the Accrediting Body. If it's a mainstream Regional Accreditation you're typically OK for some---if the accepting college offers comparable or equivalent courses. However, you'd probably get nearly all credits in with another Private College or University. Remember---they REALLY want you, and worst-case scenario---you can always ask for any not accepted to be considered as "Life Experience" credits. That usually gets them thinking.
NOTE: You can always get your unofficial transcripts, make a few phone inquiries, and ask for an informal Credit Evaluation. Pretty Basic.
*Just Remember----each of the "8 Types of Schools" we cover have Drawbacks. Basic give-and-take. If you like this Accelerated Format and are using some of the CollegeDawg "Speed to Degree" strategies---you can definitely knock out a Bachelor's in UNDER 2 years. Depending on the Major courses, how often they are offered, and whether they are "Lock-Step" (or in a mandatory sequence), there appears to be a path to completion of around 18-21 months in SOME of their more popular Programs. Wow.
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Lastly, just make sure the Degree/Major meets our other suggested parameters of---Current Demand, Higher than Median Income, Forecasted Future Demand, & Specialized or Focused Degrees/Training expected----and you will be cooking with gas.
You could be sitting at your new place of employment with your Bachelor's Diploma hanging nearby before you're old enough to have a glass of celebratory champagne! Think about that. ​
Before we wrap up this section on Private Colleges & Universities---just a reminder that technically.....
There are 2 other Private "Types" that we cover in their own individual sections under the
"8 Types of Schools"
You'll get a ton of info on them there. Those categories once again are:
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1. Career Schools, Career Colleges, & Professional Licensing Options
*Mainly official Certification Programs, "Applied" Associate Degrees, & "Just Licensing" Career Options
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2. Online Universities - From Schools Specializing in that (90%-100% of their Business typically)
*Most are Accelerated like those we just covered---and very student friendly (regarding "Speed to Degree" & Flexibility)
So, If We Had to Summarize (And we do)
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Private Colleges & Universities can be outstanding options for some people
depending on their overall Situation and Career Goals.
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There are lots of Opportunities. From the Super-Fast, get you into Your Career Options---
to some Campus-Based Alternatives (vs. Public Universities) that might better
meet your needs in several different ways.
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This info should provide you the basics you'll need to help make a fairly educated decision overall.
One of these could be the perfect fit---or perhaps this intel might keep you from making a $150k mistake!
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Either way---now you know what to look for...