Excelsior College vs average state college

[4dkids]

[SIZE="4"]I had only come to know the name "Excelsior College" through this forum. Would you say a diploma from Excelsior College holds as much esteem as your average state college/university? Thank you [/SIZE]

[ShotoJuku]

[SIZE="2"]Most certainly - if not more.[/SIZE]

[Katterina]

In general, I think they are about the same. Most people I know that have degrees got them at schools I've never heard of from outside the state. There are far too many accredited universities out there to have name recognition of more than a few, and I've noticed the ones that are remembered are usually local, ivy league, or have a great sports team.

Personally, I think Excelsior has a better name than the local university where I got my associates degree. No one I have talked to here has even heard of Excelsior, but a couple told me they think it sounds more prestigious because it is located in New York.

Then there is my father-in-law. He never finished high school but made it to the executive level at a Fortune 100 company before retiring. He thinks all online degrees are worthless shams and that only degrees from brick and mortar schools are legitimate. I'm sure there are a few others out there that share his uninformed view, which I think goes to show that there isn't a degree out there that can satisfy all parties concerned, since there are many that don't understand the system.

On the other side of that, many of my coworkers marvel at my online studies. Many have said things like, "Online without lectures? No study groups? I couldn't do that. I don't have the discipline to finish the work on my own."

[Matymus]

I had only come to know the name "Excelsior College" through this forum. Would you say a diploma from Excelsior College holds as much esteem as your average state college/university? Thank you

The quick & simplified answer is 'yes'. I've talked to numerous people within State Gov't, Economic Development agencies, as well as other well-established execs here in Nebraska that have, without a doubt, stated that, unless you went to an Ivy-League school, or one of the top 50...they don't care where you get your degree, as long as you get it, and it's from a Regionally Accredited institution. Granted, people from other state schools might tell you differently, that schools like the Big 3 are looked down upon, but that's only because the Big 3 are helping to loose the stranglehold that the B&M state university systems have over academia at large.

[4dkids]

but it's true!!! Most B&M schools said I would have to take a minimum of 30-36 credits of their classes to finish my degree even though I was transfering as a senior from Ohio University w/ 190 credits (changed major). I knew I could test out of the lower reqs. for the new major so it was absurd to waste time, money, and temperment on this fluff rule. And EC is apparently partnered w/ the army to allow better options for me. THANK GOODNESS for IC and this forum!

[mstcrow5429]

I've never run into anyone that offered an opinion on this. I remember reading that most Fortune 500 CEOs graduated from State colleges and universities, not the Ivies. I plan to go to law or grad school afterward, so I'm more concerned about how admissions will view it, not the general public.

I imagine UMass-Amherst, University of Michigan or maybe the NH State University system might be more highly regarded than Excelsior, but those are top State schools. I'd guess Excelsior is somewhere between that and the bottom. Which is a very wide range and not very specific.

[ShotoJuku]

but it's true!!! Most B&M schools said I would have to take a minimum of 30-36 credits of their classes to finish my degree even though I was transfering as a senior from Ohio University w/ 190 credits (changed major). I knew I could test out of the lower reqs. for the new major so it was absurd to waste time, money, and temperment on this fluff rule. And EC is apparently partnered w/ the army to allow better options for me. THANK GOODNESS for IC and this forum!

[SIZE="2"][COLOR="Navy"]EC will ACCEPT all (non-duplicate) credits received from another RA school and/or ACE reviewed courses.

I thought I had read somewhere that EC is the official school for US Army 1SG/SGM to earn a degree.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Basket Weaver]

I can chime in on this one: While the Air Force has its own degree plan in the Community College of the Air Force, the rest of the forces do not; this is where EC enters the scene. The Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy all can get degrees via EC at military rates. Keep in mind that these degree plans are for associate degrees, more or less required anymore for advancement into the top three enlisted ranks, but the military also supports EC with tuition assistance for a bachelors degree as well; this is what I did.

Interesting side note: Here in the very near future, the Air Force is going to start offering a bachelors degree via the Air University, it will be the only service offering such a program.

[Matymus]

I've never run into anyone that offered an opinion on this. I remember reading that most Fortune 500 CEOs graduated from State colleges and universities, not the Ivies. I plan to go to law or grad school afterward, so I'm more concerned about how admissions will view it, not the general public.

I imagine UMass-Amherst, University of Michigan or maybe the NH State University system might be more highly regarded than Excelsior, but those are top State schools. I'd guess Excelsior is somewhere between that and the bottom. Which is a very wide range and not very specific.

If you look at EC's website, there is quite a list of schools that will accept an EC Bachelor's Degree when trying to enter into a Master's Program.

[mstcrow5429]

If you look at EC's website, there is quite a list of schools that will accept an EC Bachelor's Degree when trying to enter into a Master's Program.

Where? I can't find it.