UNC’s $97 Million Plan

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, UNC's trying to "create an grow" their Adult Learning online options...  I think that's awesome if they can keep student costs down, they have 17 campuses within their "system" and goal is to enroll 24000+ students in the next few years... 

Link: UNC system to launch ambitious $97 million ed-tech start-up (insidehighered.com)

[ss20ts]

Seems nuts to spend $97 MILLION on launching an online program. Several of the schools in the UNC system already have online degree programs and have for many years.

[bjcheung77]

Seems nuts to spend $97 MILLION on launching an online program. Several of the schools in the UNC system already have online degree programs and have for many years.

That's true, since they have online programs already, they could spend less and merge all their offerings together... However, if they do get to that goal of 24000 and charge say 10K for each student, that's $240 million. Spending $97 million to get $240 million is a win in their shoes already, it's still risky if they don't get that number of students...

[ss20ts]

Seems nuts to spend $97 MILLION on launching an online program. Several of the schools in the UNC system already have online degree programs and have for many years.

That's true, since they have online programs already, they could spend less and merge all their offerings together... However, if they do get to that goal of 24000 and charge say 10K for each student, that's $240 million.  Spending $97 million to get $240 million is a win in their shoes already, it's still risky if they don't get that number of students...

That's IF they get 24,000 NEW students in 2026-2027. I don't see that happening instantly. They talk about the number of NC residents in programs at Liberty and Strayer and it sounds like they expect people to leave those programs and jump into an UNC program which isn't likely. For many people, it's not all about cost especially if your employer is paying for it. And transferring is a nightmare especially in state systems.

[dfrecore]

Generally speaking, it is MUCH easier to get into schools like Liberty and Strayer, and get moving, than into a state school system. The GE's alone will just about kill you. I'm taking courses at another state CC and trying to get them to approve me to take World Civ I - when I already have a bachelor's degree - is practically impossible. They are SO slow to look at transcripts, and their systems are just so bogged down. I can't imagine having to take lab sciences and all of that crap. Most adults just aren't going to want to take the slow tortuous path of the in-state school if they can find something that's easier to get going in. And which will take many, many more transfer credits.