UC online programs recognized for affordability, excellence

Students enrolled in the University of the Cumberlands online programs are getting a lot of bang for the tuition dollar, according to recent rankings by an education research publisher.

In addition, several of the schools online degree programs were listed among the best in America, according to the annual “Best Online Programs” rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

SR Education Group, which was founded in 2004, just launched its list of the 2017 Most Affordable Online College rankings on OnlineU.org.

“To develop these rankings, we researched accredited schools offering online degree programs and ranked the top 25 according to annual tuition rates. Due to outstanding affordability, University of the Cumberlands made the rankings at 22nd for doctoral degrees and 14th overall,” said Taitum Ridgway, a representative for SR Education Group.

UC offers online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, along with several certifications, in a variety of concentrations that include business, human services, education, technology and more. The degree programs are designed to be flexible and accessible so students can maintain their busy schedules while earning their degrees, the school said in a release.

“We have long been mission-driven to provide students with access to a quality education,” said Dr. Larry Cockrum, president of the university. “Our online degree programs are affordable, flexible and convenient, making them increasingly popular with working adults.”

SR Education Group, which promotes tuition transparency in higher education, conducts extensive in-house research into program-specific tuition data and has compiled their research into affordability rankings covering 68 subjects.

For the 539 schools currently included in the most affordable subject rankings on OnlineU, the average annual tuition rate is just $10,292.

To be considered for the overall ranking, colleges were required to offer at least 10 fully online degrees, with at least one degree at the bachelor’s or master’s level. For the 739 colleges that met the criteria for inclusion, annual tuition rates were manually researched and calculated using data collected from schools’ official websites. The colleges were then ordered based on annual tuition rate, and the top 25 were named the 2017 Most Affordable Online Colleges Overall.

Online courses cost $199 per credit hour, making the rate an affordable option for distance-learning students. All classes are offered in eight-week terms and can be completed at various rates, depending on the needs of the student. University of the Cumberlands, which ranked 14th overall, has an acceptance rate of 71 percent.

Tuition at this university starts at $6,368 per year.

Cumberlands offers seven online bachelor’s degrees, 20 online master’s degrees, 10 online certificate programs, and four online doctoral degrees.

The University of the Cumberlands offers online doctoral degrees in education, leadership, and clinical psychology.

The PhD in leadership is cross-listed in both business and education.

There are also online EdD and EdS programs in educational leadership. Finally, the online PhD in clinical psychology emphasizes the broad generalist approach in a hybrid-learning environment. The program provides the clinical training necessary to seek licensure as a psychologist in Kentucky and other states with equal or less requirements.

The doctoral program has an annual tuition rate of $8,250.

Every college that made the overall ranking offers an annual tuition rate of $7,200 or less. Georgia Tech is ranked number one on the overall list and the master’s list, offering an annual tuition rate of just $2,550.

“One of the main considerations for prospective students is cost, but it’s not easy to find straightforward, standardized information about online college tuition, especially for specific programs” said Sung Rhee, CEO of SR Education Group.

“Since the beginning of OnlineU in 2013, we’ve been working on developing the best way to research and present affordability data. These new college rankings, based solely on annual tuition rates for distance learning, provide students with concise, user-friendly resources to help with their search for a quality, affordable education.”

US News rankings

U.S. News named the Criminal Justice Administration, Education and MBA programs at Cumberlands among the best online graduate programs.

U.S. News also ranked UC’s online bachelor’s program among the best. Rankings are based on a variety of factors, including: student engagement, student services and technology, admissions selectivity, faculty credentials and training, and peer reputation.

“Cumberlands has consistently worked to keep its academic offerings relevant to the needs of students and the demands of the market-place,” noted Cockrum. “Over the years, we have been able to expand our commitment to academic excellence by offering an increasing number of online degree programs. These programs are affordable and convenient, allowing busy adults to pursue higher education while also working and raising a family.”

Drawing upon more than 125 years of academic excellence, University of the Cumberlands provides convenient, flexible and affordable online degree programs designed to accommodate the distinct needs of adult learners. UC’s innovative course delivery provides students with access to cutting-edge technologies, excellent resources and professional knowledge with real-world applicability, all while maintaining a traditional and personal approach to education. UC’s nationally recognized curriculum is delivered by a dedicated and distinguished faculty, who provide a quality education that is both practical and modern, the school said in a news release.

Learn more at gradweb.ucumberlands.edu.