Editorial: Before buying, investigate 3+1

The new academic agreement, called the 3+1 Transfer Pathway Program, allows students attending Northwest to save on the cost of their education by spending three years on general course requirements at the community college and then one year or less to finish degree requirements at the University of Phoenix.

Although there’s no question about the cost savings, what is a degree from the largely online University of Phoenix really worth?

Would students be in a better position by spending two years at Northwest and then finishing their degree at the University of Wyoming or another university, even if it is more expensive?

That is the question each student will  have to consider for themselves.

Although the University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which oversees accreditation in 19 states, the university has only a 4.4% first-year student retention rate and an 8% predicted graduation rate, said a report from the Best Accredited Colleges website.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Phoenix is  currently ranked in the bottom 25% of universities nationwide. US News also reported “the university is not well respected and graduates from this university have challenges getting employment.”

One of the major complaints against the University of Phoenix is it is a for-profit university and accepts 100% of applicants, portending a degree from that university may not be well regarded, according to currentschoolgist.com.

Maybe a degree from an online university such as the University of Phoenix is exactly what a student wants and satisfies their requirements. However, we strongly suggest each student and parent carefully spend time researching universities before jumping into a program just because it is cheaper.

While the 3+1 Transfer Program may make a university degree faster and more affordable, it is good to remember another old adage: “You get what you pay for.”

John Malmberg