Post University is a private for-profit university in Waterbury, Connecticut, founded in 1890. It had 16,178 students in fall 2024, and 92% of undergraduates studied entirely online. Its pros are regional (NECHE) accreditation, small on-campus classes, flexible online programs and Division II athletics; its cons are very low retention and graduation rates, a high net price for low-income students and near-universal borrowing.
Below are the pros and cons in detail, with cost, outcome and accreditation figures from the federal College Navigator database, so you can judge whether Post University is a good school for you.
Post University at a Glance
- Type: private for-profit university; since 2004 a subsidiary of Post Education, Inc., which was acquired in December 2024 by Universidad Andrés Bello of Chile.
- Location: a 58-acre campus in Waterbury, Connecticut, plus online programs.
- Programs: about 60 undergraduate and graduate programs in day, evening and online formats, organised in colleges that include the American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences and the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business.
- Enrollment (fall 2024): 16,178 total, 14,116 undergraduate; 62% of undergraduates study part-time and 83% are 25 or older.
- Admission: open admission.
Pros: What Post University Does Well
- Regional accreditation. Post is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), with accreditation dating from 1972, and its business school holds ACBSP accreditation.
- Small classes on campus. The university reports an average class size of 11 for on-campus courses and 21 online.
- Online and part-time flexibility. Post began distance learning in 1997 and offered Connecticut’s first fully online MBA in 2007; today most students study online and part-time.
- Nursing and health programs. Its American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences came from the 2021 acquisition of American Sentinel University.
- Division II athletics and a residential campus. The Eagles compete in NCAA Division II in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, and the Waterbury campus has student housing.
- Grants for almost every freshman. In 2023-2024, 97% of full-time first-time students received grants or scholarships, averaging $7,754.
Cons: What to Weigh Before You Enroll at Post University
- Very low retention. Only 33% of full-time first-time students returned for a second year.
- Very low graduation rates. Of full-time first-time bachelor’s students who began in fall 2018, 22% graduated in four years and 24% in six. The overall graduation rate was 25%.
- Almost everyone borrows. 90% of full-time first-time students took out federal student loans in 2023-2024, averaging $7,228.
- Low-income students pay the most. The 2023-2024 average net price was $22,103 for families earning up to $30,000 but $13,127 for families earning over $110,000.
- For-profit ownership. Post is owned by a company rather than run as a nonprofit or public university, and its ownership changed in 2024.
What Post University Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, 2024-2025 | $16,327 |
| On-campus food and housing, 2024-2025 | $12,760 |
| Total cost living on campus, 2024-2025 | $32,597 |
| Average net price, 2023-2024 | $21,229 |
Online students who live at home face a lower total cost than residential students, but should still compare Post’s per-course price with public online programs in their state.
Is Post University a Good School? What the Numbers Say
Post University is a legitimate, regionally accredited school, and a working adult with a clear goal, such as an RN-to-BSN or an online business degree, can complete a recognised degree there.
The federal outcome numbers are weak: 33% retention, a 25% overall graduation rate and 90% borrowing among first-time students. Traditional-age students in particular should compare Post with Connecticut’s public universities and community colleges before enrolling.
Who Accredits Post University?
Post University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). College Navigator dates its accreditation from 1972 and lists its next review for 2027. The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business holds ACBSP accreditation.
Who Post University Suits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere
A good fit for: working adults and nurses who want flexible online study at a regionally accredited school, and athletes looking at Division II programs in Connecticut.
Worth comparing alternatives if: you are a recent high school graduate, you come from a low-income family, or you want to avoid borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Post University accredited? Yes, by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
- Is Post University for-profit? Yes. It is owned by Post Education, Inc.
- Where is Post University? Waterbury, Connecticut.
- Is Post University online? Mostly. 92% of undergraduates studied entirely online in fall 2024.