Weighing the Pros and Cons of College? This Florida College Makes Opportunity Affordable
For most people, earning a college degree sets them up for lifelong success. According to a recent Forbes study, graduating with a bachelor’s degree means average potential lifetime earnings of $2.8 million, a full $1.2 million higher than those who only earn a high school diploma.
Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a direct correlation between unemployment rates and levels of educational achievement. Not surprisingly, the higher educated you are, the lower the unemployment rate. The highly educated also enjoy higher job security and higher median weekly earnings with each educational benchmark achieved.
But it’s not all about money. A study published on ScienceDirect.com this year examining the link between economics and human biology found education and risky health behaviors are strongly negatively correlated. The authors of the study theorize that “education may affect health behaviors by enabling healthier choices through higher disposable income, increasing information about the harmful effects of risky health behaviors, or altering time preferences.” In short, a college education provides opportunity and with opportunity comes better health choices and increased wealth.
The value of a bachelor’s degree is clear, yet still, the question of access persists, as the average annual tuition of in-state public colleges in the U.S. is $9,349. Out-of-state is three times higher, averaging $27,023 according to the Education Data Initiative. The steep financial barrier of entry to higher education continues to worry experts. In a country where critical jobs in the fields of education and technology are wildly understaffed – jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree – the decreasing matriculation at U.S. colleges is not a good sign. It’s not alarmist to insist that the future of our nation depends on providing more access to the next generation of Americans. So, what can be done?
One Florida college is addressing this question by lowering the financial burden of a four-year degree and increasing access across all socio-economic demographics. Seminole State College of Florida offers a clear path to a bachelor’s degree for every student and circumstance. Tuition for in-state applicants of Seminole State for one semester is $3,131, half of the cost of the average Florida in-state tuition of $ 6,071. With four new bachelor’s degrees added to their previous slate of dynamic programs, plus partnerships with the University of Central Florida (UCF) and University of Florida Online (UF Online) that allow A.A. graduates to seamlessly transfer, Seminole State provides students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree on their terms without saddling them with exorbitant debt.
In addition to Seminole State’s bachelor’s degrees currently offered in the in-demand fields of nursing, construction, business and information management, and information system technology, three new Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and one Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) have been added for Fall 2022. Focusing on education, leadership, and administration, these programs offer the same small class size, personalized instruction, and flexible class schedule for which Seminole State is recognized.
A B.A.S. in Management and Organizational Leadership prepares graduates for a career in business leadership, where effective management is key to a business’ success. Through immersive courses built on real-world scenarios, graduates leave the program with the skills to think critically and communicate effectively on a variety of business-related topics, skills that are invaluable to any organization.
In education, Seminole State aims to address Florida’s teacher shortage through two programs, the B.S. in Elementary Education (K-6) and B.S. in Exceptional Student Education (K-12). Both programs are hands-on and prepare graduates to teach. As “2+2 programs,” each graduate earns a teaching certificate as well as an ESOL and Reading Endorsement, a valuable distinction in today’s job market.
Florida relies on its first responders to keep the public safe. But fire departments, the criminal justice system, and emergency medical services all require leaders to make sure operations run smoothly. Seminole State’s new B.S. in Public Safety Administration prepares graduates to serve those who serve us, thereby addressing Florida’s critical need for accredited professionals to fill leadership roles in these high-demand fields.
While Seminole State offers students many valuable degrees, they also offer students two accessible, affordable pathways to study other programs through their associate degrees and transfer programs: DirectConnect to UCF® and UF Online. For those pursuing a four-year degree either in-person or online, DirectConnect to UCF® provides students who earn their associate degree at Seminole State guaranteed admission to UCF. Those enrolled in the transfer program enjoy accelerated admission to UCF, transfer assistance and advice, and – because the first two years of school are attended at Seminole State – a 20% reduction in the overall cost of a four-year degree.
UF Online is designed particularly for individuals who are juggling studies and other life-commitments. Once students complete their associate degree at Seminole State, they can transfer to the University of Florida’s fully online bachelor’s degree program. At $3,876 per year, UF Online costs almost 40% less in yearly tuition and fees than in-person coursework at the university.
Seminole State College of Florida proves the cost of higher education doesn’t have to be prohibitive. If cost is the only thing holding you back from pursuing a healthier life with abundant opportunity and financial security, consider the exciting new degrees Seminole State College of Florida has to offer. No matter who you are, Seminole State has a path forward for you.