I have been out of work for a year, decided that I needed to really step it up and go back to some type of schooling after receiving a BA more than 15 years ago. Living in an area that has 25+% of REAL unemployment, not being able to sell my house without ruining my credit, really made me decide I needed an edge.
I researched nursing at public schools only to find them all full with 2+ year waiting lists. I looked into for-profit schools for nursing and found them to cost upwards to 136k and I really did not want to be in my 70's and have student loan debt. Then I found WGU and was blown away. Not only could I get in without having to literally take college over again but I could do so without having to be burdened by huge amounts of student loan debt plus the program is so flexible that once I find work I can still complete the program by adjusting the times I complete the required work. I am so excited about starting their MBA program, and my goal is to finish in a year and a half to be able to save even more money. Even if I have to go the full two years it will only cost me 13k. This is more than half of what most other schools cost and no less prestigious or beneficial in my opinion.
Johnof CA6:24PM April 05, 2011
@Steve Foerster of VA
Fielding Graduate University and Saybrook University ONLY educates those in the psychological and other cognitive study fields ONLY at the postundergrad level. Excelsior College charges more per credit hour than your public distance learning institution examples. As far as public distance learning universities go, Thomas Edison State College charges based on the level of enrollment you plan to pursue and charges based on residency (in state vs out of state). Charter Oak charges BY the credit hour and also charges based on residency, and degree options are only in broad topics with few emphasis options. A little research is in order, indeed Mr. Foerster. Have at it. We'll wait ...
KiltUof WI2:45PM February 07, 2011
As a WGU student, (back for my Masters after doing my BA in 2008) I have to say that I have never had to wait more than a week for grading, or 48 hours for a response to my questions. Having taken online courses at UC San Diego, I know the grading takes much longer at other schools. I think the student frustration mentioned in the article was probably due to being "spoiled" by some items being graded within 24 hours--unheard of at most schools. It might have been nice if the author had queried school officials on the maximum wait for grading or questions answered.
Christineof CA5:44PM January 11, 2011
It is truly a privilege to be working with Dr. Bob and the rest of the faculty of WGU. I agree that the format for students is very innovative, and it's great working in an environment where many veteran employees have been hired to help students achieve their dreams.
For students to be given credit for their competency rather than time spent is what education is really about, and being able to control one's destiny through effort spent is a fantastic concept for improving one's life.
John A Porterof AZ12:32PM January 11, 2011
WGU is the lowest priced online university in the world and the most highly accredited online university in the world. It may not be the first, but it's definitely the best!
Deniseof UT4:42PM January 10, 2011
This is quite an interesting development in the field of online education. I'm sure that students who are living under challenging circumstances that demand both flexibility and accessibility are particularly thankful for such recent developments. Whether it's a degree in health care, a doctor of psychology, or further graduate studies. I believe that one of the biggest advantages of virtual education is the accessibility and flexibility that will allow students to maintain a full-time job and a busy lifestyle.
AmberLCof MI9:04AM November 15, 2010
Fielding, Saybrook and Excelsior are PRIVATE online institutions. Moreover, they each seem to have much more narrowly defined missions, e.g. social justice, societal transformation or very specific professional emphases. WGU is a public non-profit with what seems to be a much more comprehensive mission which does differentiate it from at least these examples. This is not a criticism of any of the institutions. If anything, it does illustrate that prospective students have a broad range of choices which were not available a decade or so ago.
James D. Rileyof IN8:54AM November 11, 2010
There are so many non-profit universities that are online. National University in California is one of the largest in the nation and has been online for well over 15 years.
Kristina Stanfordof CA8:22PM November 09, 2010
Western Governors University is not at all the only online university that is non-profit! Fielding Graduate University, Saybrook University, and Excelsior College are other examples. There are even public universities that are entirely distance learning institutions, such as Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey and Charter Oak State College in Connecticut. Next time, perhaps a bit of research is in order?
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John of CA 6:24PM April 05, 2011
KiltU of WI 2:45PM February 07, 2011
Christine of CA 5:44PM January 11, 2011
John A Porter of AZ 12:32PM January 11, 2011
Denise of UT 4:42PM January 10, 2011
AmberLC of MI 9:04AM November 15, 2010
James D. Riley of IN 8:54AM November 11, 2010
Kristina Stanford of CA 8:22PM November 09, 2010
Steve Foerster of VA 2:03PM November 04, 2010