Will a universities reputation go farther in getting you the job than you degree will?

Question

I'm asking this because I am getting my BS in Legal studies through Kaplan University (online). While Kaplan University has campuses nation wide and are regionally accredited, a lot of people think that I am wasting my time and money on online classes. Do employers look down on potential employees for getting their degree online? What do you think? Only serious answers.

Answer 1

True: getting your degree online isn't exactly the same as getting your BS from Harvard, but really where you got your degree from doesn't matter after about 5 years. After you have your first real job (post-degree) employers will look primarily at your employment history and only look at your education to be sure you have one. Don't worry: in the long run it won't matter.

Answer 2

It's more than just accreditation. For some employers, reputation does matter. Know, however, that not all employers care. Some don't discriminate between applicants from Rensselaer Polytechnic (great rep), and applicants who went to some no-name school. Others do.

But there's reputation, and then there are schools that employers tend to actually frown upon. Many of these "online" type schools fall into this category. Consider your options carefully.

So to be quite blunt, an online OR an offline degree from Kaplan, or U Phoenix, or Devry, will only get you so far with some employers, because the reputations of these schools isn't the greatest. A degree of any sort from UMass Amherst, or U Nebraska Lincoln, or U Maryland, will likely be seen as more acceptable by more employers, and may, therefore, get you further.

At the same time, the most important thing about a university - even above its rep - is how it fits you. Fit, I will emphasise again, is vital. After all, if you go to U Michigan (great rep) but it doesn't fit, you may fail. At a minimum, you probably won't do as well as you might have. If Kaplan and you are the perfect fit, then so be it. Just be aware that there are some employers out there who will not just look down on that diploma, but will actually refuse to consider you because of where you went to school.

Your best bet is to ask around, as you seem to have been doing. If you can, try to talk to people in the industry in which you hope to work after graduate. See what they think of that school. Then make your decision.

Online schools are very expensive - often moreso than fancy private, brick and mortar universities. If you must attend school online, try to pick the online school with a good rep in your field.

For other students considering online unis: there are reputable, "brick and mortar" schools that offer degrees online. Their good reputation for their on-campus programs will flow over into their online program.

Some great universities that offer online degrees include:

University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Denver
University of Maryland
Duke University
Drexel
Carnegie Mellon
Penn State
Ball State
U Nebraska - Lincoln
Babson
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of Illinois

And there are others. But in general, when you're looking for a distance learning degree, try to find a program at a school that has a good reputation for their "brick and mortar" campus.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Even though on line course work is becoming more common and degrees are being given for completion of on line studies, the stigma of an on line degree being of lesser value still exists. Theoretically the accredited degree accomplishment should speak for itself and be of equal value, no matter what the venue. However, the truth is that many employers/interviewers still look at the name of the school and give a nudge to the applicant from the school with the big name. If the employer is looking at your degree from Kaplan and another prospect from Yale or Harvard, which one is he going to favor?
My guess is that you shouldn't have any problem finding a job as a paralegal or legal assistant. But if you are serious about studying law, then you need to go to an accredited law school and go for the JD.

Answer 4

In my personal opinion... yes. My sister looks at applications and resumes when she hires. She says, they favor people with degrees from a 'real' university. But, she also says... if someone were to have experience on what they are looking for, then, sometimes, the college doesn't matter.

It really depends on who is doing the interview and hiring. I don't think you're wasting your time.

Good luck!