We Have Moved on From the Basic “Big 3” Colleges and Now Have CBE Big 3 and Others

[ashkir]

CBE's are definitely the way of the future. As WGU, UMPI, UMASS Global grow I can see their future getting bigger. I feel that TESU, Excelsior, and Charter Oak's positions will get weaker and weaker and only be appealed to those who already have the credits needed to finish their plans or have a workplace agreement. CBE's are already lower than the former big three by cost to those with previous credit and experience.

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I would suggest adding Pierpont C&TC to the ... new big 4. The confidence boost that one can gain after obtaining a B.o.G. A.A.S from Pierpont is, in my opinion, unmatchable. Speaking for myself, I found that working towards Pierpont AAS is the most realistic goal I can set for myself. I now almost finished the classes needed to hopefully obtain one. However, after realizing just how fast I got so many credits, I now believe I can go beyond the A.A.S. This is the point I want to make. Pierpont can lead not only to obtaining an actual degree, but increasing your self-confidence and your perception of your own capabilities. If it wasn't Pierpont, I probably would not have attempted anything. And ... I want to believe that I'm not the only one feeling this way. So, yeah ... I believe Pierpont does deserve to be an actual part of a "big" group, not just a honorable mention.

This is good, but, also is a case by case basis. It is a huge confidence boost, it was to a good friend of mine. I ended up gathering his credits and was like dude you can go to pierpoint right now and get your AAS. He was so happy and never thought that was possible. It made him want to get a BA.

However, for many people on this forum, if you're already thinking of doing UMPI, UMASS, WGU, etc, it will probably be faster to focus on getting the BA instead of side tracking and "waiting" for the AAS. Get the AAS from Pierpoint on the way but don't stop your progress if you want a BA.

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It seems quite appropriate that you point out that the Big 3 don't seem to shine quite as brightly as they did in the past and that there are some schools, each coming into existence in its own way, that have moved into positions of higher prominence.  I think it's good to mention SNHU as they offer lots of programs at a good price.  I'd stretch a little farther and mention ASU as a big player.  Their cost is clearly higher but the number of degree programs on offer makes them worth a look for almost everyone.  The entire field of online degrees has evolved remarkably in the past 10-20 years.
Online Degree Programs | ASU Online

Since we talk a lot about schools that take the majority of credits in transfer and/or ones that accept ACE credit, I'm not seeing how ASU is something we'd talk about much here.

The Big 3 and the CBE's are all less than $10k (and some a LOT less than $10k) - ASU is clearly nowhere near that price.

I think the Big 3 shine as brightly as they ever have.  For someone with a lot of credit already (I had 72cr from RA schools when I started my journey), WGU can be a terrible fit, and even UMPI may not be a great fit.

Also, things change over time.  When I first started on this forum in 2010, COSC was a favorite due to cost; EC was 3rd.  Then, TESU took over for a long time.  Now EC seems to be the best, with TESU a close 2nd and COSC a distant 3rd.  Each time one of them comes out with changes, things fluctuate and then settle down for a while.  Then changes occur and it all happens again.

But just because a new school comes into the picture doesn't dim the lights for the Big 3 - there's enough room here for ANY school that wants to give degrees to people who want to bring in inexpensive ACE/NCCRS credits and cost less than $10k start-to-finish.  I'm happy to recommend the best fit for someone based on their needs, and don't look at "prominence" or whatever.  I just look at what they need and what school(s) will fill that need.

Man if only if ASU kept that $99 for 3 credit class asyncronous deal. That was beyond amazing. I bet that could've became an easy bread and butter for them since they offered so many in demand unique classes.

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It seems quite appropriate that you point out that the Big 3 don't seem to shine quite as brightly as they did in the past and that there are some schools, each coming into existence in its own way, that have moved into positions of higher prominence.  I think it's good to mention SNHU as they offer lots of programs at a good price.  I'd stretch a little farther and mention ASU as a big player.  Their cost is clearly higher but the number of degree programs on offer makes them worth a look for almost everyone.  The entire field of online degrees has evolved remarkably in the past 10-20 years.
Online Degree Programs | ASU Online

Since we talk a lot about schools that take the majority of credits in transfer and/or ones that accept ACE credit, I'm not seeing how ASU is something we'd talk about much here.

The Big 3 and the CBE's are all less than $10k (and some a LOT less than $10k) - ASU is clearly nowhere near that price.

I think the Big 3 shine as brightly as they ever have.  For someone with a lot of credit already (I had 72cr from RA schools when I started my journey), WGU can be a terrible fit, and even UMPI may not be a great fit.

Also, things change over time.  When I first started on this forum in 2010, COSC was a favorite due to cost; EC was 3rd.  Then, TESU took over for a long time.  Now EC seems to be the best, with TESU a close 2nd and COSC a distant 3rd.  Each time one of them comes out with changes, things fluctuate and then settle down for a while.  Then changes occur and it all happens again.

But just because a new school comes into the picture doesn't dim the lights for the Big 3 - there's enough room here for ANY school that wants to give degrees to people who want to bring in inexpensive ACE/NCCRS credits and cost less than $10k start-to-finish.  I'm happy to recommend the best fit for someone based on their needs, and don't look at "prominence" or whatever.  I just look at what they need and what school(s) will fill that need.

Honestly, it is likely due to the foundations of TESU, COSC, and Excelsior laid that led to today's world. Now today, online schools are a success. Probably most notable to WGU and Phoenix for laying that ground work. With COVID they lit on fire, and suddenly every major school and ivy league and world rewnowned university introduced an online program.

With the state schools (University of Maine and Arizona State) getting involved in this, it opened a new world. 

CBEs getting accredited has changed the face of modern education. It allows real life experience to allow you to correlate, make connections, and, move on from them faster.