College or University for Bachelor's

[KDsMommy]

So I decided to go back to school and am currently taking 2 of the 3 prerequisite classes at a local college. I will be ready to start the Education bachelor's program in the fall and I have a few options as listed below. I will be working full-time while going to school (barring any change in employment circumstances).

The local state College offers a bachelors in Exceptional Student Education. There are several campuses relatively close by (<20 mins away) and they offer many classes online, on weekends, and in the evenings to accomodate working students. I believe tuition is less than the University.

The local state University offers bachelors programs in many Education majors, I'm specifically interested in either ESE or Elementary Ed. There are 2 campuses relatively close by (one is <20 mins, other is <30 mins). They offer some classes in the evenings, online, and possibly on weekends, but potentially less flexible than the college. Tuition is higher than the state college.

I have some time to decide, and plan to visit advisors for both schools, but am curious to get thoughts from the BBB. Will a bachelors degree from the College be less "prestigious" than one from the University? The course work is essentially the same. Cost does matter since I am paying out of pocket and am trying not to take any student loans.

Please let me know your thoughts!

[crl]

I think it is going to vary depending on the major and the schools involved. Can you ask any local teachers or principals?

Catherine

[westwoodmom04]

My guess is where you go matters less than how well you do, so do what would make your life less difficult. It also makes sense to see if there is a difference in the reputation. By me, the local state college has a better reputation than the university for education majors, because it started out as a teacher's college. The tution is also half as much.

[KDsMommy]

Good points to consider.

I should also mention that the local State College used to be a Community College and only recently (<10 years) started offering bachelors programs. I think I could probably do very well academically at the college due to it's small class sizes. According to both professors that I have right now, the Teacher Education Program at the College is somewhat difficult to get into.

[wendibird22]

What is your impression of the Ed program's reputation? What is their %/ratio of grads in that department getting FT employment after grad (something the career serviced dept should have info on)? To me these are more important that university vs college. I work at a state college that's w/in 40min of 5 other bachelor degree granting institutions, all private, some techy, some large research U, some liberal arts. Of them all the state college has the reputation of the strongest ed program.

[cvanbrunt]

college vs. university really doesn't matter. It's the reputation of the institution or the program that is important. If both are fine, go with affordability.

[niccig]

What is your impression of the Ed program's reputation? What is their %/ratio of grads in that department getting FT employment after grad (something the career serviced dept should have info on)?

Specifically ask "employed as teachers." The academic dept I work in will report how many employed, but they're not all employed in the field, but they're still employed so it counts.

[ahisma]

Specifically ask "employed as teachers." The academic dept I work in will report how many employed, but they're not all employed in the field, but they're still employed so it counts.

Talk to recent grads too, if you can. My grad school recently offered to subsidize a job for me at $12/hour for 10 weeks. It was very evident that the intent was to boost their numbers. Somehow my consulting gig doesn't pass muster.

And really, $12/hour for a JD? It's a tough market, but dang!

[sste]

Niccig has a good point. Also, if you are going for teaching at whatever age level I would also talk to some established teachers to see what schools have a good local reputation and sort of "feed" into the local teaching market.

Also, you might want to think about and investigate your local market demand for "specialty" teachers. My sister is an elementary school teacher and after a few years she really burned out on classroom work -- the demands are extremely high in some areas for differentiation, homework, etc. She was working i-banker hours toward the end! Anyway, she re-certified as a reading specialist and while there are fewer positions she was able to land one and her work is now much more contained within school hours and she prefers the small group dynamic. She also thinks art/music/gym etc have a better lifestyle than classroom teachers. The downside is that in some markets there are not enough openings - - so I would investigate that and also whether you can double certify while in school. And obviously if you love classroom teaching go for it! I have noticed that people often overlook the more specialized jobs so I thought I would point it out.

[KDsMommy]

Thank you all for your input, you've given me many points to consider.

I will be asking around for many of these answers.

I am in the 4th largest school district in the country with many older teachers who are preparing for retirement. The local job market for teachers is pretty good.

A lot of this decision will also depend on whether I go for SPED or Elementary Ed. The University offers both, the College only offers SPED.

Definitely some things to think about...

[niccig]

Talk to recent grads too, if you can. My grad school recently offered to subsidize a job for me at $12/hour for 10 weeks. It was very evident that the intent was to boost their numbers. Somehow my consulting gig doesn't pass muster.

And really, $12/hour for a JD? It's a tough market, but dang!

I work in law department too. I was shocked when found out their hire recent grads to boost the numbers and it happens at all law schools as far as I know.

[wellyes]

college vs. university really doesn't matter. It's the reputation of the institution or the program that is important. If both are fine, go with affordability.

I agree it doesn't matter. I graduated from a college. It because a university when, in later years, it starting offering some grad degrees. That didn't enhance or diminish the reputation of the undergrad school, as far as I can tell.

[brittone2]

Agree w/ PPs that it is always a good idea to talk to as many area professionals as you can and find out what their impressions are of graduates from the two institutions. That also gives you a bit of a reason to talk with them in general and forge some connections there ;) Find out whether their schools tend to hire from one vs the other, what their experience has been with student and new teachers from both programs, etc. Feel out from past students if you can how supportive, helpful, and connected the faculty are to the local teaching market, etc. I think those connections are a huge, huge key in finding a job, and assume that's true in education like many fields today. I also agree with finding out employment figures from both, with a focus on the *employed as teachers* bit.