Online Universities

**k8mt** · 10-20-2011 08:49 AM

I have a friend who really wants to go back to school for an associates in Medical Assistant. She keeps looking at all the online schools.. Devry, Kaplan, Keiser, Phoenix.. but i'm trying to steer her away because I truly believe NOTHING good comes out of "For profit colleges".
Does anyone know of an actual University (Of Montana, of Nevada, of Colorado ect ect ect) that has an online degree program for an associates in medical assistant? Or any advice at all? I really would rather not see her throw money away on what could potentially be a bad idea...

**Little** · 10-20-2011 09:04 AM

All colleges are "for profit." Having looked at Phoenix myself, I noticed it's quite expensive as compared to my local public institutions, but I know quite a few people who have "attended," then switched to a brick and mortar institution and never complained about their quality of instruction.
The best thing she can do is google. If she can find a university in your state that offers it (maybe even a community college, since it is an Associate's,) she will probably spend MUCH less on tuition.
And she should really look HARD into whether or not there are jobs in her area for that degree. Just because a college is willing to give a degree does NOT mean there will be a job available at the end of it - ask all the unemployed lawyers with JDs. I know quite a few people with Dental Assistant certificates who were unable to get work with them afterwards, and this sounds like the same deal.

**LanaBear** · 10-20-2011 09:23 AM

I did over half of mine at a local university that had an online program. Like Little said, all colleges are "for profit", so I'm not sure where you are going with that. More and more, universities are offering the online option for its convenience to the students.

Have her take a look at any university she is interested in and whether or not they offer online programs. And again, like Little said, checking the job market is very very smart because if there isn't a market for what she is going for, there is no sense in going through it. She may want to look at other options.

**lizzardb63** · 10-20-2011 09:35 AM

I received my associates degree through University of Phoenix. My education is just as good as any other college. In fact, I feel online learning is more of a "self learn" atmosphere which I give myself a lot of credit for getting a A-/B+ average at graduation. University of Phoenix is a little more expensive, not because it's online, but because it's a private school. I am continuing my education online (so I can continue working while earning my degree) through Capella University. They are based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have actually SAVED a lot of money going to school online, because yes...it cost me $12,000 for my associates, but I also made $60,000 while doing that rather than going to school full-time, paying $8000, but only making $20,000 over the 2 year span. Make sense? Anyway...I say if that's what she wants to do, support her. It is not a "waste of money"

**lizzardb63** · 10-20-2011 09:39 AM

Also, my uncle went to University of Phoenix and got his Bachelor's degree through them. He works for Proctor and Gamble as a production supervisor and he makes $100,000+ per year. Lets cross our fingers that I can be just as successful! lol

**k8mt** · 10-20-2011 10:35 AM

I mean 'for profit' as in they all deem themselves "private" and can up your tuition at a moments notice. I know this because my adviser at Phoenix (when i was interested.. and then became uninterested) told me that they could up it.. if need be. Also, i mean "for profit" as in the advisers that you speak to when getting enrolled make money off how many people they "recruit" or get to enroll. They are pushy. And they really really really want you to use their financial aid.... i kept saying i'll just go through Fafsa and they were like .. NO no no.. don't do that.. blah blah blah.. i really hate "sales people" sometimes.. they frustrate me.

**Little** · 10-20-2011 11:01 AM

Almost all colleges and universities are raising tuition, and there is little (if that much) a student can do about it. Certainly they want you to use "their" financial aid - so they can reap the interest from it

Not that you should listen to that advice ...
I always suggest people go to public, in-state institutions - mostly because in my state, there is a hefty lottery scholarship if you do so! And everybody can use the extra money. But in general, they are cheaper and held to a higher standard. Check out what there is to offer as far as scholarships in Montana, and give your friend a little support

**lizzardb63** · 10-20-2011 11:45 AM

I do know that at University of Phoenix, each recruiter does have to recruit a certain number of people to keep their job, but that is no different than any other commission job. Personally, UOP never pressured me to use their financial aid. They actually sent me instructions to go to the FASFA website. I found them to be very helpful, and I did call other online schools and colleges to see what their prices were per class and they all were very similar is cost. The cost of everything is going up so it doesn't surprise me that classes are too. (It's unfortunate that it costs so much to better yourself!)

**k8mt** · 10-20-2011 01:12 PM

Well i just mean she said they can hike it up in the middle of the semester. you think you are paying one thing then get a bill.. because i kept asking her how much it would cost me per semester per class per whatever and she couldn't give me a straight answer.. that was super frustrating. even after we picked out all my classes she still couldn't give me a straight answer.. just kept giving me the run around. Regardless.. it is stupid expensive to go to college.. and it's really frustrating! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Hopefully she finds something... Fingers crossed!