In your opinion, who should not earn a degree from the Big Three?

[natshar]

What are the main cases of students who probably shouldn't earn their degree from Excelsior, Thomas Edison, or Charter Oak?

Funny you mention that a lot of students actually. I've been thinking about this a lot and researching it. Turns out there is a lot.

There are exceptions, but think the big3 wouldn't be a good idea for...

1. Most high school seniors just graduating. If you want the traditional college experience, obviously the big 3 won't work. But since cost is mostly the issue, and time isn't for eighteen-year-olds. There a are a lot of other cheaper options than the big 3. Using a combination of community college, Clep/dsst/AP, living with parents and a cheap local university would probably grant a cheaper degree than the big 3, especially after financial aid. There are a multitude of scholarships available to high school seniors and many aren't that hard to get. I got a half-tuition scholarship at CC where I went after I graduated from a 2-minute app and apparently every applicant who met the GPA requirement got it. Once you are out of high school scholarships aren't as easy to get anymore. And if you don't know what you want to do with your life, getting a degree quickly in a year or won't put you in a better place. Going to college helps to figure out who you are and develop as a person. Plus you'll have connections and opportunities and maybe know how to use the degree after graduating.

2. Super high achieving high senior 4.0, super high test scores, valedictorian etc. You can get a full ride or close it to it at many low ranking colleges (just google colleges that give full tuition based on merit). And if you have the money, go to an elite school. And if your parents don't have money many elite schools don't make low-income students pay or get scholarships

3. If the circumstances make another option better. I knew someone with a lot of credits and I thought the big 3 would be perfect for them. Turns out a local university they only needed 30 credits (2 semesters) to finish their degree and work tuition reimbursement would cover it. The big 3 would probably take longer and be more money. Even if all the credits aligned for the degree, with the capstone/cornerstone and all that I don't think the degree could be granted quicker.

3. If you are someone with no experience and don't know many people. It is a well-known fact that most jobs and opportunities are found through networking. A professor at my college was known for saying "its not the degree that matters, its who you know and what you can do." If a big 3 grad doesn't have any skills or connections and has trouble building them they might be better at a B&M college. What good is a degree if you don't know how to use it? I know plenty of people with degrees working minimum wage jobs because they don't know how to move forward. Of course, going the traditional route doesn't prevent this, but B&M universities will give access to professors and other students who can help with networking and finding opportunities that the big 3 student self-studying won't have.

4. Anything "pre" Pre-med, pre-vet, pre-law, etc.

5. Any major that is more hands-on/vocational technical culinary arts, graphic design, video production, welding, etc.

6. If time and money aren't an issue at all when it comes to getting a degree.

7. If you have horrible time management skills and aren't self-motivated.

The list could go on...

Here is my (hypothetical) plan degree under 10k and under 2 years that works for where I live
Step 1: take 45 credits (15 exams) clep, dsst or ap
Step 2: take 30 credits at local cc. They offer self-paced and online 5 weeks among other flexible options, a dedicated student could possibly do 30 credits in a semester using these options. They accept up to 45 credits clep/dsst towards an associates degree.
Step 3: Earn AA and 3/1 articulation agreement with local state U. Many of the articulation agreements require 20-30 credits in electives so they aren't too hard to get with clep/dsst. All three universities that offer 3/1 agreements with the local CC accept up to 60 credits from clep/dsst applied to a degree.
Step 4: Take 30 credits at local state U.
Step 5: Graduate with BA/BS in under 2 years for under 10k and that's before pell grant/scholarships, reimbursement, etc. Other benefits you have 60 graded credits for law school or whatever you need. Plus access to professors, students, career centers, alumni groups and more.

The big 3 isn't for everyone. But anyone who wants to speed up their degree and/or cut costs should at least consider clep/dsst and ace/nccrs credit if their school takes it.