Comparing online schools: Ashford and AIU?

It's easier to check a school's accreditation than to try to locate them on diploma mill lists. Not being on a diploma mill list doesn't mean it's not a mill. Not being on the accredited list DOES mean it's not accredited. Check whether a school is accredited at http://www.chea.org/search/

Ashford University

400 N. Bluff Blvd., P.O.Box 2967

Clinton, IA 52733-2967

http://www.ashford.edu/home/

is regionally accredited by NorthCentral Association. They are a real college with a real campus that happens to teach online. They charge $354 per semester hour for undergraduate courses. (120 hours for a bachelor's degree would be $42,480) http://www.ashford.edu/student/forms/TuitionFeeSch... A bachelor's degree will take 4 years to complete if you're starting from the beginning. Ashford is unranked by US News.

American InterContinental University

6600 Peachtree-Dunwoody Road, 500 Embassy Row

Atlanta, GA 30328

http://www.aiuniv.edu/

Is regionally accredited by SACS. They have a campus presence in several cities around the country but are primarily an online provider. They charge $339 per semester hour so a bachelor's degree costs about $40,690. https://mycampus.aiu-online.com/schools/5/pdf/tuit... AIU is "unranked" by US News.

Now, the University of Massachusetts teaches online too (as does about every other college in the US). They are not only regionally but professionally accredited as well. A bachelor's degree from UMass takes four years (same as every other legit college in the US) and will run you about $300 per semester hours (less than those others) or roughly $36,000 for a bachelor's degree. London Times says they're the 45th best university IN THE WORLD. USNews says they're ranked #102 tier 1 national (Amherst). Cheaper, same amount of time, better reputation...

CalState teaches online too. http://www.cvc.edu/students/programs They're much better respected than either of your choices and they too cost less (if you happen to be from California).

There are 1000's of options out there for online degrees that are both legitimate and well reputed. You should explore all of your options before you toss down $30,000-$50,000 and 4 years of your time.

Take a look at the list at Petersons http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/sea... there are some outstanding choices out there for you.

"how long each takes to complete" is not a valid question. A bachelor's degree requires about 120 semester hours of credit. You can do that in 3 years (no summers) or 10 years (very part-time) and any amount of time in between. Any college that offers anything much faster (unless you've already been to college or have passed equivalency exams (not 'life experience')) is likely a scam. There's a reason that it's called "a 4-year degree".

Add: for Desert Fox who claims accreditation by a regional accreditor doesn't mean anything; that's the sort of advice that will cost you tens of thousands of dollars and years of wasted time. Summarily ignore any such suggestion you get and mark anyone giving it as an unreliable source. Regional accreditation (NorthCentral is a regional accreditor) is the gold standard in the United States for degree acceptance - period. If your choice isn't RA then you can expect the utility of your degree to be minimal if existent at all.

There are other considerations such as reputation of the school, but regional accreditation should be the first and foremost of your considerations. Without it, employers may not accept your degree as valid, other colleges won't transfer credit, and you will have pretty much wasted your money.

And, credits don't transfer from undergrad to grad school anywhere. Not anywhere - period. Credits from Harvard or Oxford undergrad won't transfer to grad school either.

The conclusion DF is making is close to correct - his reason is dead wrong. It's all about the academic reputation of those schools and nothing about their accreditation status. University of Arizona (for example) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of Northcentral Association and they're a pretty good school. http://www.chea.org/search/actionInst.asp?CheaID=1...

Stay away from online schools like Ashford, DeVry, or University of Phoenix. Accreditation by the NorthCentral Association or the Higher Learning Commission doesn't mean anything. In the end, you'll end up with lots of debt and a degree that is looked down upon. Furthermore, if you're looking to eventually get into graduate school - those online school credits will NOT transfer. Stay away.

Trust me. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ashford is unaccredited - that means it's a diploma mill, they're basically selling degrees with nothing to back them up. These degrees will not be accepted by employers or colleges, and it's even considered a crime to claim they are real degrees in some states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashford_University_(L...

Here's a site that tracks diploma mills; check out AIU (not sure which one that is) and any other online schools on here first. Some online schools are valid, but many are not - don't waste your money!

http://www.diplomamillnews.blogspot.com/

I attended Ashford University. Let me tell you about my experience: They are a total for-profit school!! As soon as I applied to enroll, I had people calling me constantly. It was out of control, they kept trying to solicit different programs they offered and made me feel pressured to enroll. The classes themselves are easy. Honestly, I had a 3.97 GPA. I completed my Associates Degree in 1 year because I doubled up on my classes and also had classes from a previous university transfer. The instructors are not challenging, and they are forced to stick strictly to the Ashford curriculum, so the discussion boards are rather boring and not eye-opening or thought provoking at all. The financial aid department is a complete scam. I had to follow up on my finances MANY times. In fact, had I not been so diligent about following up with my finances, the school would have completely screwed me over and taken thousands of dollars in my MY financial aid that I was awarded!! Talk about ridiculous. Also, if you do go there, make sure to get the name of a supervisor in financial aid dept.. all of the financial aid advisors are morons and have no clue as to what they are doing. Once I told my academic advisor that I planned to enroll at another university for my bachelor's degree, the school went from harrassing me with emails and phone calls all the time, to never calling me back! I had some questions about graduation and no one was willing to answer me because they weren't going to be able to profit off of me anymore. I would say that if you want a quick way to get an associates degree, then fine. No employer cares where you get your associates from. what is more important is where you get your bachelor's degree. I would highly recommend the following Brick-and-Mortar online schools: Northeastern University Post University Southern New Hampshire University They all offer online degrees and they are well-respected schools. Ashford is a joke and a for-profit school. Employers will laugh at your resume. If you get your associates from Ashford and then transfer to another school for your bachelors then I think you will be fine, but just make sure to stay on top of your financial aid so that Ashford doesnt screw you over

Hey,

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As you asked; "My boyfriend is interesting in beginning courses with either Ashford or AIU online schools; I am trying to see which is the "better" option based on tuition rates and how long each program takes to complete. I am having trouble finding this information online---any help with finding this information would be greatly appreciated!" it might help you.

Best of Luck :)

there are plenty of "regionally accredited" schools that ofter online degrees. wikipedia has some good info on just what "regionally accredited" means. To avoid any school problems stick with regionally accredited schools. Some state university systems have really good online degree plans that are fully AKA "regionally accredited." Do yourself a favor by looking into one of them.

I would prefer your boyfriend to go nova southeastern university its a great online school plus they have a campus. i went to aiu and they are going through some problems so i wouldnt advise anyone to go there at this time

Mycampus.aiu

That's a tricky question...