What makes a college worth the time, effort and most of all, money? Could it be the campus and the facilities? Or the professors and the students? The more you think of it, the more you’ll realize that there isn’t any one factor that can make a college worthwhile and the parameters to rate a college are varied.

Here are a few worth consider:

Retention rate

Retention rate is a measure of the students who stay at college and complete their degrees. This is an important factor that goes into rating a college because it gives you an idea of how involved students are in their programs. It also speaks volumes of the professors and the kind of job they’re doing at engaging and holding the interest of the students.

Advising and Career Services

This is a sign of a college that is concerned with the well being of their students. Colleges thatprovide their students with advisors help students make better decisions. Advisors provide support, guidance and answer any doubts or questions you might have about career choices. A Stevens Henager review stated that students were provided with academic advisors who provided guidance to the students and typically responded to student concerns within 24-48 hours. Other Stevens Henager reviews said that their career services staffprovided students with career guidance throughout their time at the college.

Student Demographics

Demographics indicate the nature of the student body at the college. Is it homogenous or heterogeneous? Is there diversity? Being exposed to a diverse student body opens you up to more experiences and gives you a chance to learn from your peers.

Percentage of students receiving financial aid

Let’s be honest, education comes ata price. One you are willing to pay because of the opportunities it brings you in the future. It would help, however, if you had a little help with your education and it is here, that financial aid comes into play. Students opt for colleges that have a higher percentage of receiving financial aid.

Student-faculty ratio and student intake

When you apply to colleges, you should give preference to those colleges that have a low student intake. The reason for this being that with less numberof students, teachers can pay more attention to them, thus enhancing their learning experience.

Faculty qualifications

This is definitely one of the most important parameters to rate a college because having the knowledge that your instructors have good educational qualifications can be reassuring. It means that the education you receive is of sound quality.

Study resources

Study resources such as libraries, eBooks, laptops, tutoring and mentor programs that are made available to a student in college can help make him or her feel comfortable during the program. If some of these resources are made available for free, even better!

As mentioned earlier, there is no real way to determine what makes a college great, but hopefully these factors will make your journey to finding a perfect college a little bit easier.

Today, with increasing expenses, people find themselves asking, “Why should I go to college? Is it even worth it?” Yes, college is expensive. Yes, it requires a few years of your time that most think they would rather spend working. But the truth, and the ultimate reason why a college education is worth it, is that it is the key to a happier, more secure future.

Some people don’t see the need to get a college education. They think that as long as they work hard and are talented enough, they can make a good living without having to worry about student loans and ‘wasting’ precious time. While there is nothing really wrong with a person being hard-working and sincere without having a college degree, it is worth mentioning that a college education will only supplement your knowledge, provide a strong foundation for your future and give you something to rely on when times are tough.

Let’s take a look at what makes a college education worthwhile.

Better opportunities and a stable career

While many might consider this as an ‘obvious’ benefit, the truth is not everyone realizes what it implies. Not only is it easier to find a job with a college degree, but employers are also willing to pay higher salaries to those with a college education. People with college education are likely to progress in the future with promotions and salary hikes. Studies have shown that most people are disgruntled with their current work situation because they want to improve their financial situation and even though they have years of work experience, lack of a college degree keeps them from getting there.

Experience and life skills

Going to a college helps develop important skills that are relevant to your career such as technical expertise, communication skills and theoretical and practical knowledge. But that isn’t all. College education will go a long way in shaping you as a young adult capable of thinking rationally, planning ahead, analyzing difficult situations and making decisions. It is through college that you are exposed to people from different walks of life, sharing the same views and interests as you. You imbibe values and life lessons from your surroundings. In college, you start to envision the life you want for yourself.

Growth and development

When you are in college, you might have to take on a part time job to bring in extra money. During this time you learn to juggle between college and earning money and maintaining a social life. This phase in your life teaches you the importance of money and the value of time. You go through a series of changes emotionally and mentally that finally shapes you into a young adult.

Confidence and personal satisfaction

We live in a world of stiff competition where everyone wants to get ahead in their lives. A college education gives you the confidence to face the world head on.

So what about those who want to work and study? For those who have personal and professional commitments, you always have the option of online schools. There are some great colleges that offer degree programs in the most competitive, in-demand fields. People are anxious about online colleges because little is known about them, but let me tell you that this is when research and reviews are helpful. College reviews give you a fairly good idea about what to expect through student experiences while studying there.

Take for example Stevens Henager College, an accredited college that offers both online and on-campus degree programs in healthcare, business, graphic arts and information technology. If Stevens Henager reviews are anything to go by, the students seemed to be more than satisfied with their programs and instructors.One look at a Stevens Henager review will bring to light the fact that it makes a great option for serious, driven, career oriented adults.

College is an integral part of life for many more reasons. Most people, who choose to skip college, end up regretting their decision later. Hopefully this article will make you realize the importance of education.

While looking out for the perfect college for you, you study every tiny detail under a microscope. You read reviews, talk to your friends and family, and seek the advice of counselors and experts. Most often you’ll find yourself relying on student reviews because people prefer to hear things directly from the ‘horse’s mouth’.

Let’s take a look at college reviews and their importance in detail.

What are college reviews?

College reviews are student experiences about different aspects of the college both positive and negative. They could speak about the quality of education, the instructors, financial aid, facilities and student aid, and their all-around experience at the college.

What do college reviews help determine?

Reviews cover a wide range of topics, from admissions and selection, to student-teacher ratio, to cost of tuition, to the standards of education provided, to the jobs you might be eligible for in the future. College reviews help to determine whether the investment you make in the college is worth it in the long run.

How does a college review help?

A college review will help you narrow down your choices based on your preferences and needs. College reviews promote a level of transparency and they paint a clearer picture of what the school could do for a student’s progress and development.

What about online colleges?

Students turn to reviews of online colleges because not much is known about online schools and students are worried about getting caught in a diploma mill scam. It is, after all, a matter of spending hard earned money and you can’t afford to make any mistakes about it. While reading up on college reviews, you should pay close attention to the method of instruction used by the instructors, what the program requirements are like, whether the faculty is prompt and helpful in helping you with your coursework and problems etc. A Stevens Henager College review said that the students were very satisfied with their programs and that their instructors were always quick to help students with their coursework. Other Stevens Henager College reviews said that if given a choice to go back in time and retake the program, they would. That’s saying a lot for a college that offers online programs along with traditional on campus programs!

What should you look out for in a college review?

While reading the review of a college you might consider attending, there are several tiny details you should keep an eye out for. Here are a few to help you know what to look out for:

·         Is the college accredited?

·         Do they offer online/distance learning programs?

·         What is the tuition and is it likely to increase? What are the payment plan options?

·         What are the student retention and graduation rates?

·         What is the educational qualification of the faculty?

·         Does the college provide financial aid to those who qualify?

·         What study resources are available for free to the students?

·         What support services are provided to the students?

The truth is,there’s always someone who’s had a bad experience with their professors or someone who could not keep with up with the program requirements and the course work, and you are bound to come across several such negative reviews as well.It is for this purpose that you are advised to be very clear about your expectations from your college and try to gauge whether the college you’re currently reviewing could help satisfy your needs. Finally, college reviews will help provide you with compelling information to make a sound decision. It is up to you to make college work for you!

It is a known fact that the right education plays a key role in today’s competitive job market. While there are no guarantees in life, a college degree goes a long way in providing some sort of reassurance that you have a shot at a secure and stable future.

Stevens-Henager College was founded in Ogden, Utah, in September1891, with the goal to provide students with knowledge and technical expertise so that they can not only match up to stiff competition in the current work economy, but also to exceed it.

Stevens Henager College campuses are conveniently spread out all over Utah and Idaho; with 7 campus locations, 3 satellite locations, 1 study café and 1 online department. Each of these campuses as well as the online department offer well-rounded programs in some of the most in-demand fields such as business, computer science, healthcare and graphic arts. According to Pay Scale, employees with a bachelor of computer science can earn yearly salaries of up to $121,866 and employees with a master of business administration can earn anything ranging from $40,771- $216,830. Employees with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) can earn salaries ranging from $53,192- $68,608. Graphic designers can reportedly earn up to $60,000 a year.

Sometimes, due to familial responsibilities or financial constraints, you might give up the idea of higher education. Stevens- Henager College’s online programs make it easy to pursue your higher education with convenience and flexibility. Most of all, it gives you the chance to fulfill your educational needs without having to give up on your current responsibilities. This acts as a blessing for working professionals who are looking to further their careers with essential educational credentials without having to give up their current jobs.

Probably one of the biggest advantages of pursuing an online degree program from Stevens-Henager College is that with its continuous enrollments, you can start whenever you want. You needn’t wait for a semester to start and waste crucial time; you can start any month. A simple online enrollment or a call to the admissions consultant is all that is needed. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

If Stevens Henager College reviews are anything to go by, then this college provides students the help they need every step of the way. And although the college doesn’t guarantee employment, the Career Services Office providesvaluable contacts and provides guidance.

According to yet another Stevens Henager college review, the college also offers free GEDclasses to the community at no additional cost. When you decide you are ready to take the exam, they help with registering for the test and pay for the exam as well.

Stevens-Henager College is dedicated to helping students define their goals and achieve them, too.  Read student reviews to form an educated opinion about their programs and see what suits you best.

 

Choosing the right college is not only a personal choice, it also one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Choosing the right college can either make or break your future prospects. Needless to say, this is not a decision that you can afford to take lightly and without carefully weighing all the factors. The following list contains some of the most important factors you should keep in mind while making this decision.

Accreditation: Online or traditional on-campus, accreditation is probably the most important factor to keep in mind while choosing a college, and yet one which is not talked about enough. Accreditation is a voluntary review of the educational programs offered by colleges and universities. This review is conducted by a neutral accrediting organization thatevaluates the college and decides whether it meets the pre-determined standards of quality education. Students and employers trust colleges that are accredited by reputed accrediting bodies since they have received recognition for providing education which meets the standards. For example, Stevens Henager College which has campuses across Idaho & Utah is accredited by the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges). Healthcare programs offered by Stevens Henager College have been accredited by reputed and specialized accrediting bodies. With these accreditations the college is trusted amongst employers and students equally. You can find detailed information about Stevens Henager College’s accreditation on their website.

College Tuition& Financial Aid:  When speaking of tuition, you should find out about:

·         Required forms and deadlines

·         The percentage of students who receive financial aid.

·         Scholarship programs

If your college has the right accreditation, you could be eligible for federal or state funds. You should speak to college counselors and find out what kind of financial aid you might be eligible for.  Also, try and find out the percentage of student population receiving financial aid.

Student-teacher ratio and student intake per course:  While you research possible college choices, you should try and find out what the current student-teacher ratio is and what the general student intake per course is. This is important because a lesser student-teacher ratio and student intake would imply more attention from the teachers.

Academic Assistance: The quality of the education you receive not only depends upon your faculty, but also on the academic support, in the form of libraries, tutoring, guidance counseling etc, provided to the students. The more support made available, the better.

College Environment: This deserves a mention because students forget that a college is not just a place for intellectual growth and development; it is also a place for personal development and social networking. It is imperative for you to be actively involved with the goings-on on campus.Speak to current students and alumni and find out about study groups or activity groups at college.

Academic Focus: Most colleges in the United States have multiple areas of academic focus; which means that they offer a wide variety of courses. These are well-rounded programs and preferred by most because of the diversified interests of the students. 

As mentioned earlier, choosing the right college is a very personal and ultimately an important decision–one you should not, under any circumstance, compromise with. Consider these parameters and hopefully, your decision-making process will be much easier!

Stevens-Henager College offers on ground and online associate, bachelor’s, master’s degree programs in healthcare, business, information technology and graphic designand has been nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).

Accreditation is an independent review of educational institutions and their programs offered, carried out by a neutral third party recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation is done with a view to ascertain whether the quality of education provided by these institutions is sound and up-to-date. Getting a degree from an accredited institution will benefit you in more ways than one. For starters, you can be sure that the education you receive will be of sound quality. While pursuing an education from an accredited institution, you also become eligible for state and federal aid. Another lesser known benefit is that a degree from an accredited institution will be recognized by employers, thus ensuring better job prospects in the future.

Stevens-Henager College is not only accredited by the ACCSC, but itshealthcare programs have also been accredited by specialized accrediting organizations.

Stevens Henager college accreditation:

Stevens-Henager College’s Medical Specialties Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), (which is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRB-AAMAE). CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is a member of the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors (ASPA).     

The Surgical Technologist program is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST). ARC-ST is sponsored by the American College of Surgeons and the Association of Surgical Technologists. It is worth noting that the ARC-ST is also the only CAAHEP recognized committee on accreditation for education programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting.

The Respiratory Therapy Programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

The Associate Degree in Nursing Education (RN) is accredited by National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

More information about Stevens Henager College’s accreditation can be found on their website.

College accreditation is undoubtedly one of the most important things to consider when applying to colleges, be it online or on-campus. Accreditation is a voluntary, independent review of colleges and programs done by a neutral accrediting organization to determine whether the education offered is of uniform and sound quality. It is important to note that the accreditation process is completely voluntary which is done at the school’s request.It should also not be confused with a licensure.

A licensure is relatively easily to procure and it merely states that the respective college or university has the legal right to function. It means that the institution has the legal right to offer on-campus and/or online degrees.

While accrediting agencies cover a few general areas during the process, such as faculty, curricula, facilities provided at the institution, student support services, program length and tuition, administrative and fiscal capacity etc. The college received accreditation if it meets the set criteria.

The Importance Accreditation Holds in Academic Life

As discussed above, accreditation is a stamp of quality education provided by the college or university. You can be confidentof the education you receive is up-to-date and of sound quality. When you have the stamp of an accrediting organization, you can be sure to not be taken for a ride by your college.

 However, accreditation also plays a big role in deciding whether you are eligible for federal or state funds as it is a requirement of the federal and state governments.

Diploma or Degree Mills

A diploma or a degree mill is an ‘unaccredited’ organization that provides students with academic degree and diplomas for little or no real education. It is also not recognized by the official educational accrediting bodies (the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education (CHEA)); which means that a person can actually purchase a degree or a diploma for a certain amount of money. However, these degrees or diplomas hold no value in the professional world as employers always give preference to students with credentials from accredited colleges and universities recognized under either the USDE or CHEA.

The Importance of Accreditation in Professional Life

As you delve deeper in to college accreditation, you’ll find the importance it will eventually hold in your professional life and how it will eventually affect your employability. To put it simply, attending an accredited college on-campus and/or online ensures that your employers and associates or even other colleges and universities will recognize your degree. Employers give preference to students who have studied at accredited colleges or universities because it is through an accreditation that they can be sure of the credibility of your degree and the quality of education you received. 

Accreditation and Employability

When a company looks to hire new employees, their C.V’s are reviewed and the credentials and professional certifications receive thorough scrutiny. Employers are always on the lookout for questionable credentials from unaccredited colleges or degrees from diploma mills and are also wary of hiring unqualified people in positions of responsibility who might not the required skills. They want to be confident of the people they hire to manage their jobs responsibly and effectively and the only way they can be sure of an employee’s academic credentials is to hire someone who has a degree from a recognized, accredited institution. You don’t want to waste your hard earned money on a degree from a college that is not accredited, only to be turned down by your employers in the future. Therefore, a degree from an accredited college or university will be a significant advantage during the hiring process and hence, be beneficial to your employability.

Unaccredited colleges and universities

As discussed earlier, accreditation is a completely voluntary process and on occasion you might find some legitimate schools which have not been accredited. You must remember that in some fields, a degree from unaccredited school will keep you from professional licensure and practice. You should also watch out for phony organizationsthat might call themselves accrediting agencies and might very well not be ‘recognized’ organizations. As a result, you might end up spending a great deal of money without even receiving quality education or a valuable credential.And as you already know, if your college or university does not have the right accreditation, you might very well be turned down for future jobs.

The Council for Higher Education (CHEA), a private agency accredits the accreditation agencies. The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) also maintains a database of institutions and specialized accrediting agencies by the federal government. So the best way to judge an institution’s accreditation is to find out if the accrediting body is recognized by either of these 2 agencies mentioned above. 

Accreditation and Online Degrees

An increasing number of students turn to online (also known as Distance Learning Degrees) offered by colleges due to several reasons such as familial or financial restrictions. Whatever the reason, online degrees have steadily gained popularity and it should be noted that you can be sure of the quality of education you receive through online colleges if they, too, have been accredited. Stevens Henager College, for example, offers on-campus and online programs. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges(ACCSC), recognized by the United States Department of Education which makes it a trustworthy destination for students. Healthcare programs offered at Stevens Henager College have received accreditation by specialized accrediting bodies. (For more information about Stevens Henager College’s accreditation visit their website.)

Whether you choose an online degree program or a traditional college set up is subjective. What you need to keep in mind is that with a degree from an accredited college, you can scale your career to greater heights!