It used to be that big time college football programs were justified because they supported the rest of the school’s athletic programs.? However, according to the Wall Street Journal, in 2011 only 19% of the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivsion reported a profit. And given the increasing concerns of concussions and player health, why have the number of four-year college programs increased by 24 from 2003 to 2011?
50-50 College Highlights
Been There, Done That, Ready to Write the Tuition Check: The Results
Last week Wendy Nelson shared her experience of working with her daughter through the college application process. This week she has graciously agreed to reveal the results of the process. Her daughter’s choice, Valparaiso University, is a 50-50 school with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, among the best for institutional aid, in the top 30 for ACT scores,and offers D1 sports. Wendy has an excellent blog, My Kid’s College Choice, where she shares lessons she has learned.
50-50 Highlights: University of California-Santa Cruz, Lycoming College, and Salisbury University
50-50 Colleges accept at least 50% of their applicants and have at least a 50% graduation rate. The 50-50 Highlights lists some of the distinctive features of selected institutions.
At the University of California-Santa Cruz all undergraduate students are affiliated with one the ten residential colleges. The University supports undergraduate research through a searchable Research Opportunities Database.
50-50 Highlights: Pacific University, Oklahoma State University, and SMU
50-50 Colleges accept at least 50% of their applicants and have at least a 50% graduation rate. The 50-50 Highlights lists some of the distinctive features of selected institutions.
Pacific University in Oregon has developed a Business Scholars program in which students complete their degrees in three years which includes participating in co-curricular series and completing an internship. Education majors have the opportunity to teach in Mexico through a practicum experience.
50-50 Highlights: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, University of Northern Iowa, and University of Maryland Baltimore County
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Program in Culinary Arts includes degrees in Hospitality Management and Food and Nutrition Programs. Culinary Arts students can spend a year in Switzerland completing an externship program. The Center for Turning & Furniture Design’s CenterWorks provides students with hands-on experience by working on commissions as small business projects.
50-50 Highlights: Michigan Tech, University of Kansas, and Seton Hall University
Students in the College of Business and Economic at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) can participate in a Silicon Valley Experience. All first-year engineering students take the same discovery-based learning core classes. Engineering students can start research projects as early as their freshman year through the Research Scholars Program.
50-50 Highlights: Ohio University, Montclair State University, and University of Evansville
Ohio University has an Honors Tutorial Colleges and is the only degree-granting college in the United States incorporating all of the features of the traditional tutorial system. Aviation students benefit from the university-owned and managed airport.
50-50 Highlights: Mills College, Lawrence University, and University of New Hampshire
Mills College is a women’s Liberal Arts College in California. Students in the Jill Barrett Research Program receive scholarships for participating in a 10-week long summer research project under faculty from the biology department. The Institute for Civic Leadership is a two-semester program that combines the study of civic leadership and social policy along with an internship. Students can gain hands-on experience in oral history methods through the Oakland Living History Program.
50-50 Highlights: St. Edward’s University, Colorado State University Fort Collins, and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Students at St. Edward’s University in Texas can take advantage of the 227 acre Wild Basin Creative Research Center. The Center offers internships for Environmental and Policy students. Students in the School of Natural Sciences have the chance to work on the Center’s research projects. Business students travel abroad through the Global Business Institute for Societal Responsibility and work on business projects with a focus on social justice. Students can study abroad at the University’s campus in France.