For millions of Americans, getting to college isn’t the problem. The hard part is staying there.
According to information compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, only 40% of full-time students going to college for the first time actually graduate in four years. That means 20% more students fail to graduate on time than actually do.
California could be facing an even more significant crisis. Of the full-time, first time, freshmen who entered the state’s university system in 2015 (the most recent class for whom statistics were compiled) only 27.7% had graduated four years later. That’s according to data from the California State University’s Institutional Research and Analysis department.
That’s why, in 2018, the State Legislature created Calbright College. We offer training intended to lead directly to a career, that can be taken online at the learner’s convenience, for free. Our program is designed to eliminate or work around many of the factors – like high cost and scheduling classes – that make traditional colleges hard to stay with.
“I like the fact that it’s free,” said Calbright learner Jan Neff-Sinclair, who’s studying cybersecurity. “That’s helpful. I think all education ought to be free, because it’s a way to let everyone start out on a level playing field.”
Because we’re debt free, our training can be taken at no risk, and we offer both career counseling and life coaching to learners who need to be extremely practical about how they spend their time and prepare for their next career.
Some students are obviously thriving at traditional four year colleges and two year community colleges. But in California, the majority aren’t – and the strength of the state’s economy, along with their personal futures, may depend on whether they can get the support they need to thrive in the 21st century economy.
If you’re interested in learning more about our programs, or sound like what we offer might be the right fit for you, sign up here.
