Bachelors Degree In two years?

Question

I have been looking at Neumont University and have gotten letters from them. They offer an accelerated bachelors degree program in computer science in which the student finishes in just two years rather than four. However, I found out that the students go year round, that is, 10 weeks on, 3 weeks off, for 2 years. Their schedule is Monday thru Friday, 8am to 5pm. That would be my class schedule everyday, then I would only imagine the amount of work they get and study time. They don't have dorms, but rather apartments and use a shuttle to get to their classes. I would also be out of state and away from friends and family.

So my question is, would you want to go though this for 2 years, graduate with a bachelors and get a job that averages $60,000/year (according to the pamphlets they sent me and their website) or go to a close to come commuter college for 4 years get the same degree (but maybe not the same job), but have a much better schedule and have time for other fun things too.?

*close to home* commuter college

Answer 1

First of all, $60,000 a year with a bachelors degree and no experience is not going to happen. I have a bachelors of science and an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) and seek $75 to $80k, but I also have 5 years of managerial experience.

As a programmer, you are likely to make $40-$45K, depending on where you live, your grades, the quality of your school, how well you sell yourself, the companies you are able to interview with and your skill level. Remember, competition for these jobs is extremely high, not only from us citizens, but also foreign workers that come here and jobs which have been outsourced.

If I were you, I would recommend taking the 4 year route (which will likely take you 5 to 6 years to complete). During this time, get a job within the computer science field. That way, when you do graduate in 5+ plus years, you will not only have a degree, but also 5+ years of experience. The jobs you are going to really want, will require 7-8 or even 10 years of experience, if you are looking at management or project manager roles, which often do pay $85-$100K a year. This is great, but if you spend 2 straight years going to school, then that is two years of time you are not gaining actual work experience. I say do both, work and go to school at the same time and take your time with school. The best thing to do is get strong grades, because once you get a grade, it is there forever, so take few classes and make sure you get A's (3.5 or higher).
Also, go to the cheapest college you can, like a community college, then transfer to a small or in-expensive 4 year school. This way you get an associates (at the community college) and then a bachelors at the 4 year, so you end up with two degrees, one of which you get in 2 years, rather than being a senior (3.5 to 4 years into your degree program) and still having nothing more than a high school diploma.

Finally, when (and if) you decide to get a masters degree, spend the money then on the best college you can get into. Which you should be able to go to almost any school you want, because you will have good grades (remember shooting for 3.5's), a lot of experience (5+ plus years) and you will be able to afford it, since you probably only spent $20-$25k going to community college and a smaller/cheaper 4 year school. Now spend $25-$30k on your masters from a well known school. Your total cost is less than $55k, probably more like $50k and you end up with an associates degree, a bachelors degree and a masters degree from a well known school. The masters and more importantly the last degree you receive is the most important, because it "supersedes" the previous degrees for the most part.

Hope all of this helps and of course it is just my opinion, but it does make sense to ask around!

Answer 2

No, a bachelors is a 4-year degree in the US. However, if all of your classes transferred from community college, then your 2 years there would count as the first 2 years of your bachelors degree, so you can finish it in an additional 2 years. But keep in mind that most med schools recommend you do not take your pre-med classes at community college.

Answer 3

are you saying this school is not close by? thenyou will have to live on campus. Sorry i wasnt following you but anyway anytime you can graduate early do it. the job market has been up and down for the last 10 years or so. i graduated a semester early and was able to get a job within two months. some of my classmates had difficulty getting into the job market a year later.
whatever you do good luck!

Answer 4

This is coming from someone who is currently going to college, full-time mom with a full-time career job. I would earn a degree in 2 years and try to get ahead quicker. However, my 12 yr old daughter said she would do the 4 years, enjoy life in the present because you never know you might get hit by a bus today. I agree with her, make time for friends and family and go to school at the same time.

Answer 5

I would put friends and family on hold for two years and go to Neumont. After you get out you will have all the time in the world to party. What would happen if you had a kid during the 4 years of having fun. Fun would not be there for you then...

Answer 6

Be careful about what Univesities say about how much you can earn. Competition will determine that. It is not their job to find you a job. Their only role is to present a particular standard of education and award a parchment.

In Australia, I constantly see contrasting information about I.T. The educational institutions say there is a shortage and demand. They leave out that the demand is for Masters/PHd. But their graduates are driving taxi's and in other low paid unrelated jobs until the first programming job comes along. Plus jobs going offshore in their hundreds.

Research the job market first across different recruitment websites for demand. Don't trust any "PR/Marketing" information. If your skills don't match the job market -that will be your problem not theirs.

Answer 7

I'd say go to the best 4 year college you can get in to. Wherever you end up, you will probably move near there, so you will be close to home, unless you live on campus. I wouldn't count on their pamphlets for a 60K salary right out of college; they may be right, but you should do your own research on median salaries with a BA out of this school, and other comparable schools.

Answer 8

There is a lot more to the college experience than getting a degree. What is the rush? What is the benefit in rushing? Are you going to save money on tuition?

I'd recommend going to a four-year college if possible. You'll enjoy it more, learn more about yourself, meet more people and professors, have a chance to explore a variety of courses and extracurricular activities, etc.

Answer 9

Admissions departments are usually staffed with people who have marketing degrees. So they are trying to sell you something (the college or university that they work for). Research any and all information that the college sent you before making a final decision.

Answer 10

If you have the time and resources to take the accelerated program and if you are in a hurry to finish then it sounds good. If you want a little more time to breathe, work and relax, skip the accelerated program.