Higher education is an essential part of education. The rate of people who have graduated with a degree from a higher learning institution in the past five years stands at 40%. While this number increases from the meagre 7% a century before, there is still room for growth. The importance of higher education cannot be ignored. It opens people up to many opportunities for career advancement or self-development. Let us know Ten higher education best-kept secrets.
Ten higher education
Institutions of higher learning have been present in America since the 16th century. There are over 4000 institutions that offer higher learning in different disciplines. From beauty and media to advanced research centres, the most important factor is ensuring you are getting the best education that imparts you with skill and prepares you adequately for the real world.
The universities that are exceptional but are not as recognized as Ivy League institutions and they include:
- Clark University.
- Webb Institute.
- Beloit College.
- Lawrence University.
- Denison University.
- Wheaton College.
- Moravian College.
- Emory and Henry College.
- Southwestern University.
- The University of Puget Sound.
The list above is from the colleges that change lives organization, whose sole purpose is to educate the masses on exceptional colleges that offer good programs but are not as recognized. These colleges are members of the CTCL organization and work with them to show the benefits of learning at these smaller liberal arts colleges.
Loren Pope created a CTCL list in her book highlighting these institutions and later became an organization. Once an institution joins the organization, they retain membership as long as they continue to impart its students with a valuable higher education.
Clark University
Clark University is known as a research college that offers over 40 major programs. The institution funds students’ research projects through the LEEP grant. It has contributed to various innovative inventions such as modern rocketry science and the birth control pill.
The institution is also one of the smallest colleges, meaning students can have a personalized study approach. The relationship with faculty goes beyond just teaching; they take an interest in mentoring and inspiring students to go above and beyond and tap into their potential.
Apart from the great arts programs, they offer extra-curricular activities in the form of sports and are part of the NCAA. They also have 0ver 150 student organizations and clubs that are funded yearly. Students can also expect ample living space within the campus residence, at least for the first two years.
Webb Institute
Apart from the full scholarships offered to students living in the United States, Webb institute is famous for offering some of the best advanced degree programs, e.g., naval architecture and marine engineering, which is a dual degree program. Students also are provided with internship opportunities for practical learning.
The institution has one of the best student living experiences, ample campus residence, good food, and a private beach. Webb boasts of providing all its students 100% career placement after graduation. There are many opportunities to pursue sports and a host of unique clubs if you are interested in extra-curricular activities.
Beloit College
Beloit is an excellent college option simply because it focuses on imparting practical skills that prepare students for leadership management and problem-solving in the real world. It is part of the CTCL and is one of the best liberal arts institutions in the United States.
In addition to the various degree programs offered by the institution, it also has an entrepreneurship program that aids students in venturing into art and music and provides necessary resources to fund startups.
They also invest in exposure through networking, paid internships, and study abroad opportunities for all their students. The architecture is beautiful and is located in a green, serene location that is more beautiful in the summer.
Lawrence University
This University is among the top 60 best liberal arts colleges in America. Its combination of culture and traditions creates a homely place where students can find team spirit. The college courses in music and business have double major options and cooperative degrees in disciplines like engineering and Science.
The University supports team spirit by permitting the students to participate in a host of school traditions such as a luaroo festival, a welcome week for freshmen, and a sendoff event for the seniors. Students participate in pranks, games, and all-around enjoyment at these parties.
They are also part of the NCAA division and participate in male and female sports. Lawrence University is a good choice if you care about having an active social life and an overall happy campus experience. The students are friendly and are a perfect place for a social bee.
Denison University
Denison is located in Granville, a close community filled with vibrant restaurants and chokes full of lively activities to engage in.
The college offers over 50 graduate programs with a specialization in the arts. Due to the small ratio of faculty to students, the learning is personalized and involves debates and discussion forums instead of the typical lectures.
The alumni include exceptional people all over the globe who offer students networking opportunities. The college also has a career centre whose main focus is to match students with the right career path that suits their skills. Athletic programs and student societies are geared towards preparing students for the real world by imparting all-around skills.
Wheaton College
Wheaton is a great place to study because of its high student career placement rate. Most of them pursue jobs after graduation, and others in post-graduate programs. The companies associated with most of the graduates are Microsoft and Google.
Harvard accepts several students from Wheaton for their post-graduate programs. Besides the stellar education, and ranked top 20 liberal arts programs, the college offers clubs that welcome students of various interests. Diversity and inclusion are key, with students of colour accounting for more than 30% of the students at Wheaton.
Moravian College
The Moravian college is filled with a lot of history and its roots. Known as the first higher education institution to accept women, it has since grown into a more inclusive campus. The best thing about this college is its progressive attitude towards education and leadership. Students are given free computers upon enrolment to aid in their studies. Additionally, students are included in the board of trustees to help make decisions on important student issues and concerns.
Emory and Henry College
The Emory and Henry College has an expansive array of buildings for learning. The student residence is modern, with personal bathrooms and a homely feel. The college offers over 50 undergraduate programs with a few post-graduate degrees that prepare students for a career of interest.
Emory takes a serious approach toward education, including coursework and life education, by giving students opportunities to get involved in projects that mirror social and environmental concerns as part of the civic engagement program.
Professors also invest in research by committing time and resources to students who show promise. In addition, the college has a list of events called the lyceum events with plays, films, festivals, lectures, etc., to liven up the students’ college experience.
Southwestern University
Southwestern has over 50 undergraduate degree programs with at least 40 minor programs. In addition, they offer other double programs from other disciplines part form the arts, i.e., engineering, medicine, and law. The enrolment is diverse and inclusive, with at least 40% of the students coming from minority communities.
The college is also committed to research. Apart from the professors taking an interest in encouraging students to actively participate in research in all disciplines, the University hosts frequent exhibitions for students to present their research projects to acquire grants to further their projects.
The University has adequate sports facilities, active student clubs, and organizations that include religion and social representation. There are Christian, Buddhist, and Jew clubs, and Greek life can be seen in the form of Phi Beta Kappa and Beta, among other sorority groups.
The University of Puget Sound
This college is the best bet if you are looking for a balance of Academics and an active campus life. The professors take a personal interest in all their students, aiding them in research and actively participating in discussions.
The exceptional graduate programs equip students with skills that prepare them for careers in exceptional organizations and professional courses in Ivy League institutions. The Alumni include professionals in Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Boeing.
The location is a plus: students can enjoy a walk in the park, an exhilarating skiing experience, and an opportunity to socialize with other vibrant and diverse people in the community.
What are the benefits of attending the above-listed universities?
There are a variety of advantages of getting a college education that includes:
Improved job prospects. College graduates have access to job opportunities much easier than high school graduates. The universities also offer internships and career coaching opportunities, making it easier to get in the door.
Lays a good foundation for building a lustrous career. The skills, knowledge, and networks accessed by college students are especially useful when building a career. College students can easily build on the skills they have acquired and have access to mentors who can steer them in the right direction.
Improves your potential earnings, which becomes a doorway to economic stability. Better opportunities mean better earning potential. It is no secret that the higher you go on the corporate ladder, the better the benefits. College graduates get promotions much easier, and the change of titles is associated with doubling your remuneration.
Networking potential. The university alumni include accomplished professionals in their fields, from leaders, actors, researchers, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, who are valuable when making important career moves such as starting a company or a foundation.
High return on investment.
Although higher education may be costly, students can see positive returns on their investments from all the opportunities they receive, which can be instrumental in paying back any loans.
Overall, a degree is important to your self-development and is associated with feelings of high self-worth.
Is there any disadvantage to selecting the above-listed institutions to further your education?
Well, they are not Ivy League colleges which means they may not come with a certain level of prestige and recognition that Ivies and Public Ivies come with.
The funding is also not as high, and you may miss an opportunity for a scholarship if that is an important consideration.
If you are a student considering research as a key part of your learning, then access to grants may be a slight challenge for these institutions.
These colleges are exceptional for arts programs, and you may need to consider other public ivies or Ivy League institutions if you are interested in STEM programs.
Conclusion
In summary, getting a college education should be an achievable dream for everyone. This dream can be easily realized in America, where we have over 4,000 higher learning institutions. These universities are affordable; if not, there are scholarships that can ease the burden and help you realize your potential. Parents and students should not have to limit their choice to Ivy League institutions because while they are great, students can have all the benefits and opportunities associated with higher education from the colleges on this list because they change lives!
Frequently asked questions
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is usually carried out by an independent body to assess and determine whether an existing institution adheres to set acceptable standards and procedures and qualifies to provide the service for which it is intended.
Why would a college lose accreditation?
A college loses accreditation if, in the process a=of an assessment, it is determined that it does not adhere to set regulations, standards, and procedures. Most universities that lose accreditation would prefer to operate independently.
Will a loss of accreditation affect past degrees?
All degrees earned before accreditation remain acceptable and can still be used for career advancement and job hunting.
Can a degree be invalidated?
Depending on the type of degree earned, this is possible. Honorary degrees are usually easily invalidated if someone exhibits any misconduct that warrants it since they usually forego the typical requirements of earning a degree.
