What does it really cost to attend a private Christian school?
Many high school seniors apply to colleges of their own preferences for personal reasons, but many just look at the name recognition for a school as a benefit.
Does going to Harvard get you a one-way ticket for getting your dream job? Does the college you chose really make a difference in your future as long as you end up with a degree? All of these factors make the decisions of whether attending a Christian university is really worth it.
That said, the question that looms for many students at this school is if the name does matter: Are APU graduates at a disadvantage compared to other schools?
Once you graduate from college, finding out what to do next is a common struggle for students.
“I can see and have experienced the benefits of attending a faith-based institution. I have recognized that faith-based campuses are intentionally programming and seeking out ways for students to connect to one another and the campus’ community which, I think, is one of the most important aspects of the college experience,” said APU grad student Sydney Swanson.
Swanson attended Biola for her undergraduate education and decided to continue her Christain education by pursuing a master’s degree at another Christian institution. Students might decide to go to APU exclusively to get a Christian based education. Others attend APU for other circumstances. Each person has their own personal reasons for attending the school. Christian institutions offer many different aspects to the educational experience that other big-name schools don’t.
There are costs and benefits of attending any college. A person’s needs are only met on certain specifications. Coming from a lesser-known school can worry graduates when they start seeking job opportunities. Mila Reyes, a senior biology major, transferred in the spring of 2018 to APU from the University of California Los Angeles.
“I definitely feel like coming from APU puts me at a disadvantage because APU is such a small school,” Reyes said. “You can go anywhere around the world and they won’t know what APU is but if you come from UCLA you just say the four letters and they go oh that school.”
According to the Gillian B. White from The Atlantic, a choice school is beneficial based on what major you decide to get your degree in. Business majors, according to an Atlantic study, had the most financial impact on their post-graduate career than any other major. For science majors, a choice school was the least impactful for their careers after graduation.
“For those headed toward careers where elite networks rule, school choice is more important since selective schools provide access to the companies and individuals necessary to further one’s career,” White said.
A major plays a big part in the importance of a school choice. Some schools have networking for their graduates that makes it easier for them to find a job in the workplace.
“Christian Higher Education emphasizes the holistic student, meeting needs spiritually, educationally, emotionally, and relationally which, in my opinion, positively impacts life after graduation,” Swanson said. “The experience one gets from a four-year institution is up their willingness to get involved and fully access the resources your school provides for you.”
Do your research on your desired university before you commit. What are the financial impacts of attending a certain school? Do the benefits outway the negatives? These are vital choices when deciding what college to attend. Just because you are not graduating from a prestigious school doesn’t necessarily put you at a disadvantage for your career. The skillset you have acquired through your undergraduate career and what you make of your skills are the biggest advantages to being successful.