The cost of going to college is higher than ever causing many students to either postpone or draw out their educational endeavors in order to work to pay for tuition. As the job market becomes increasingly competitive during times of economic turmoil, many professionals with extensive experience are returning to classroom-based or online schools to update or enhance their qualifications.
Consequently, the stereotypical version of a college student - a recent high school graduate aged 18 to 22 years enrolled in a four-year degree program - is no longer representative of the majority of post-secondary students.
"In fact, only 15 percent of individuals pursuing higher education fall in this age range, live on campus and attend school full-time," Michael J. Offerman, vice chairman of Capella University, reports on his blog, "The Other 85 Percent".
Over the past year, the cost of attending a public, four-year university rose by 6.5 percent, according to a recent report from the College Board. Although the government is currently working to improve federal lending programs for students, approximately 65 percent of bachelor's degree recipients graduated with educational debt last year. Additionally, many bachelor's degree candidates are unable to graduate within four years, as the National Center for Education Statistics reports first-time college students who received their degrees between 1999 and 2000 took an average of 55 months to do so.
As a result, many universities have changed their curricula to cater to a wider range of college students - those who have family and professional commitments to fulfill outside of work. In fact, several online universities, such as Capella, "exist to serve working adults," Irene Silber, the school's director of public relations, told the Quinnipiac Chronicle.
Many institutions, such as Bisk Education, offer online training and certification courses to help professionals supplement their credentials. The professional education company's accredited CPEasy online courses aim to "make it easy for accountants...to successfully fulfill their work responsibilities, while earning the CPE credits they need to maintain their certification," Nathan M. Bisk, the company's founder and chairman, told Reuters.
Such offerings are representative of how online degree and certification programs are leading "higher education to the leading edge of an incredible revolution," Mark S. Schneider, former commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, told Education Week.
By Natasha Bright
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