HARTSVILLE, SC (courtesy coker.edu) — On National College Decision Day (May 1), Coker announced it has lowered the credit cost for its online undergraduate degree students from $619 a credit hour to $425 a credit hour, a more than 30% reduction in online program tuition pricing, in a continued effort to make a college education more affordable, accessible, and convenient for the modern-day student. The price decrease will take place at the start of the 2019-2020 academic year.
The price decrease affects all Coker students enrolled in the college’s entirely online undergraduate degree programs––B.S. in business management, B.S. in criminology, B.S. in psychology, and B.S. in sociology––and includes students enrolled in entirely online articulation agreements with Coker––Aiken Technical College, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and Richmond Community College (Hamlet, N.C.).
“The opportunity to complete a degree in a format that is accessible can make a tremendous difference for many students,” says Tracy Parkinson, vice-president for strategic partnerships and special assistant to the president of Coker College. “As we offer more options for students who would best benefit from an online program, we want to be sure that the program is also as accessible as we can make it from a cost standpoint. Whether online or face to face, it’s crucial to try to make the bachelor’s degree a viable option for as many students as possible.”
For working adults and/or digital natives, completing a degree online may be the most practical way to boost their careers. “Online learning is answering a long-standing problem in higher education,” says Coker President Dr. Robert Wyatt. “It provides flexibility, convenience, and accessibility for busy adults, and Coker’s unique approach to student and faculty collaboration and engagement make it a great option.”
Coker has also taken steps to be a transfer-friendly school by establishing bridge and articulation agreements with several community colleges in the Carolinas, giving associate degree graduates the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree in just two years.
Earlier this year, Coker was included in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs rankings in the category of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. One thing that makes Coker’s online programs unique is that all of Coker’s online undergraduate students are assigned a student success coach. Their student success coach will help them tackle obstacles that might keep them from completing their degree, connecting students with the resources they need to be successful. They work directly with students to answer questions, provide clarity, walk them through confusing procedures, and foster a connection between the student and Coker’s digital community.
The cost for Coker graduate degree programs and traditional undergraduate degree programs remains unchanged. Students in on-site bridge programs will see a slight increase in cost-per-credit to accommodate the new tuition structure; however, financial aid options, including price-sensitive support like the South Carolina Tuition Grant, will continue to be available for these students and will be adjusted in eligible circumstances. Additionally, Coker College’s Annual Scholarship Fund awards over $10 million in scholarships each year, placing the net price of Coker’s private education on par with that of local public universities.
For more information about Coker’s online undergraduate degree options, please visit coker.edu/online. For more information about applying to Coker College, please visit coker.edu/apply.