Quick Question About Northcentral University

Hello Fellow Distance Learners!

I've been reading this forum for about 3 weeks, and trying to get some more information regarding completion of my education. I have been attending online classes for about 1.5 years now, completing clep exams and more traditional classes as well. I'm not looking for a fast or easy method, however fast wouldn't be the worst thing. It's more important to me that I don't "cheat" or otherwise end up doing something that will negatively impact my educational prospects in the future.

I am currently going through the admissions process for NCU exploring the possibility of attending. One thing that concerns me (hence the username) is the fact that I can not for the life of me find any information or reviews on their bachelor degree programs. This itself is not a concern but a brief search does show an awful lot of doctoral program reviews that aren't exactly showing NCU in the best of light.

I was curious if I could get any feedback in regards to NCU or any other programs that I should be looking into. I really like the idea of 8 week classes for the most part I work very quickly and enjoy the pace of 8 week classes.

One other thing that I would like to mention. I do have a goal in the future of possibly attending medical school. I am aware that online pre-med is a no go and I'm not concerned with that, but more that the rest of the credits will count (the 93 that is required by most institutions). Any feedback provided in this area would also be great.

Thanks for any help or guidance you guys provide!

The Concerned Learner.

 

NCU is a great school online, but I only concern about no ground campus. What is your major? Maybe other schools would fit you better likes Troy University (over 120 years).

 

Troy is actually on my short list. I have had some problems interacting with Brick and Mortar (I think that's the term used for conventional schools with online programs, please correct me if I'm in correct). Lack of responses and difficulty during advising (told to take classes that didn't line up with my major and were not pre-reqs) have caused me to be more cautious. However, I have not explored Troy in-depth yet. I can see you graduated from Troy and I'm assuming from an online program. Do you have any input on their programs?

 

If you are looking to earn a bachelors degree then I would suggest that there are far more affordable options than NCU which could cost up to $40,000.
http://www.ncu.edu/financing/estimated_bachelor_cost.aspx

 

Concerned Learner,

Do you mind telling us what state you are in, and a preference of major? That might help narrow down your choices.

 

If you will be completing a large portion of your degree at your current school and adding in CLEP & DSST exams, then I would recommend Thomas Edison.

The biggest issue for me with NCU right now (for BA/MA) is that they don't award federal financial aid. Which means no grants or stafford/perkins student loans. This is fine if you plan on paying on your own, but if you are like me and take financial aid, it could be a deciding factor.

 

I wouldn't be overly concerned with a few negative reviews - disgruntled students are more likely to complain online than satisfied ones. This is the same for B&M schools.

What I would be concerned about are the same things that worry me with all for-profit institutions: is this an academic institution concerned with your education or a business concerned with your wallet? There is a registration fee for each course? Why? 310 bucks per undergraduate credit? There are numerous B&M schools that are far cheaper. The lowest I have ever seen is Louisiana State University with $88 per lower-division credit (okay, that's extremely cheap).

Oh, and it also seems like NCU is occasionally writing their own (glowing) reviews:

Please...my apartment manager posts stuff like that...

I guess the bottom line is not, "Why not NCU," but rather, "Why NCU?" You are likely to find a school out there that is well respected and takes your education more seriously than NCU. Troy has already been mentioned, if you want an online school, AMU/APU and the Big Three come to mind.

I would recommend halting the admissions process at NCU and do some serious research on established B&M/Online schools. Depending on where you live, your local state university may have something for you. Alternatively, use one of the numerous search engines, this helpful board, and google your favorite collegiate sports teams: [school] distance learning.

Many, many state schools offer the same tuition for residents and non-residents if classes are taken online. Colorado State is such a school. Their degree completion program is $250/credit hour: http://www.learn.colostate.edu/degrees/social-sciences.dot

Last but not least: Especially public universities are often slower with their replies and less flexible with their requirements than for-profit schools. But keep in mind that these schools can't afford perfect customer service because they have many more things to do than simply selling you something.

 

Definitely look at less expensive schools to earn your bachelor degree and save your money to pursue graduate degree (masters or doctorate) if those are in your future plans.

The "Big Three", Charter Oak State College, Excelsior College, and Thomas Edison State College, all allow 100% credit hour transfer into their degrees so you can shop around for the least expensive or most convenient way to earn those credit hours. Western Governor's University uses a competency-based model rather than a credit-hours model; tuition is based on the length of time needed to complete the degree (flat fee for each 6-month term with no limit on the number of credit hours earned each term).

 

I see this argument alot. I went to visit a for-profit school with my wife in Jacksonville (Jacksonville University) and they kissed our ass and said they would work with us in any way. The instructors were top-notch and were leaders in the the field (communications). We then went to non-profit state school (UNF) and asked about scholorships. The admissions person said to my wife, "it is nice that you got good grades but we really don't care about that. How much do you make?". Which one would you pick and how does quaility of education come into play? Are ivy league schools profit or non-profit? Does this statement only apply to some schools?

What makes you think they wrote this? I could have wrote it!

Why would you feel NCU does not take the learners education serious?

Overall, NCU is really good and I am happy with them. Would I recommend them for a BS? Heck no. There are cheap options and faster ways to finish a degree but that does not make them bad.

 

First of all, I don't want a university to kiss my ass, and I don't think think a university needs to be a perfect service experience. It's regrettable that North Florida didn't value your wife's achievements, but would the same have happened at UF, Florida International, or USF? There are always bad examples for all types of schools, and that advisor may not even be representative of UNF.

The question I ask myself is, why does a schools with no physical campus need to charge over $300 per undergraduate credit? I happen to work in for-profit (language) education, and while I can speak only for us, making money is definitely the most important aspect of how my boss runs the business.

Nope, same thing in many respects. I would never or send someone to an Ivy League institution if I had to pay any significant amount out of my own pocket.

Just look at the patterns of those reviews: http://www.onlinedegreereviews.org/college/northcentral-university/reviews/

Okay, that was poorly worded on my part. It doesn't make them bad, but what makes them a better option than all the other (cheaper) schools? If you hadn't had Florida in your life experience and on your resume already, would you have chosen the school?

 

This is totally off-topic, but if the school doesn't have merit scholarships (or awards them at a different time from when you applied), then this is the only thing that matters. You can have a 4.0gpa and save orphans as a hobby, but it's not a factor for need-based grants. Genius McOrphan-Saver wouldn't be eligible for a federal Pell Grant if his parents make over a certain amount.

Meanwhile, I would not be eligible for a merit-based scholarship, despite needing the money. So it goes both ways. Lucky are the ones with stellar grade history who are also eligible for federal grants without being total brokeasses.

Neither would I, as it's just not doable. The ROI for going would depend on a LOT of factors, but it appears to be pretty low for most fields of study.

I don't see the point in comparing "profit motive" between schools -- they ALL have a profit motive because they all need money to stay afloat. If they didn't, they wouldn't charge exorbitant non-resident tuition when the real costs of dealing with non-state-residents is comparable to state residents. Pretty much all schools will charge what they feel they can get.

Harvard has serious cachet, so going year-round can cost $50k+ including living expenses. Stockton charges $500/cr for non-resident undergrad BECAUSE THEY CAN GET IT. The CA system is downright freakish in it's desire to provide education to the indigent.

 

Wow, guys. Great responses.

Just to answer a question that was asked earlier my major is Business Admin.

A couple of things came up, I am now looking at the information on Colorado State as well as Troy, I was wondering if the folks that made the suggestions had any information I could look at when it comes to those schools.

When it comes to cost I was a little curious when doing the math at some of the other schools I've noticed the cost is far greater at the "Big 3" in general.

And of course, any other information would be great!!!

 

Colorado State University is a tier 1 (some call it tier 2, after 50) school, and also accredited by AACSB for Business degree. While Troy University is accredited by ABCSP. Troy University accepts more credit in transfer, which is up to 90 credits for 120 credit requirement. Hence CSU doesn't accept that much...so it is your decision.

Another school is accredited by AACSB and cheap is University of Wyoming. Its current tuition rate is $94.00 per credit plus $15.00 delivery.

 

Most of B&M schools don't take distance learning as the main purpose. Therefore, you have to be wait a little bit longer. Even though you attend school on campus, you would have the same issue unless you walk direct to the office for the attention. Otherwise you still have to waiting for your email to be replied in 24 to 48 hours.

Yes, I earned my Bachelor degree from Troy University online in 24 months with a little Military training. Their program is great and much more convenient due to the terms and transferring credits. However I would not go there if I have a chance to go to tier 1 school.

 

I believe Ashford University allows students to transfer in several credits (99), and they allow you to earn 75 credits through examination. They're slightly more expensive than NCU at $357/credit, but they have a B&M campus in Iowa. They also offer 5 week courses and you complete one course at a time.

Troy is my first choice as well, but they don't have an open admissions policy like NCU, Ashford, and the Big 3. I can't imagine that their admissions policy is that strict, but it's still good to have a backup plan. This probably won't be a problem for you since you likely have several graded credits.

 

Peru State College has a BAS - Management degree available online.

http://www.peru.edu/academics/programs_majors.htm

They also allow up to 16 credits from CLEP.

Regionally accredited, state school, $168 credit, I haven't had any problems yet.

As a matter of fact, I was just awarded a scholarship today for next year!