I’m an adult first year undergrad student. I’m a General Studies major fully online for the Fall of 2024. I need to choose between Saint Louis University (SPS), Villanova University (CPS), and Georgetown University (SCS). All programs are in each colleges school for professional studies for working adults.
Saint Louis University is a BA in General Studies. Great Jesuit core curriculum same one as traditional undergrads. You get your choice of a minor along with great interdisciplinary courses. 120 credits $650/ Credit hour.
Villanova University is a BIS in General Studies. Amazing core curriculum (Augustinian) same as the traditional undergrads. You really get to build your major through tons of different classes from economics, communications, geography, theology, philosophy. Also, I apparently have a really good academic advisor according to my enrollment counselor. Administration seems solid. 120 credits $760/ Credit hour.
Georgetown University is a BA in Liberal Studies through SCS. Core curriculum isn’t the same as traditional undergrads. 120 credits, 18 credit hour core curriculum, 48 credit hour concentration in Business, Communications, or International Relations. 54 elective credits. $400/ Credit hour.
I’m a single guy with no kids so I have tons of time for my program. Also, a Catholic education is important to me. I chose General Studies because I’m not sure exactly what I want to do. I really enjoy sociology, writing, history, religion, geography, philosophy and culture. Money isn’t an issue for me for either of these programs. since cost isn’t an issue which program do you think I’ll get the best education?
It is up to personal preference and the classes you can take - which seem more appealing and would give you tangible skills. Are you looking to enter a specific field/industry? If so, find some advertisements for the type of job you want, see what they want by way of a degree, and see which program aligns best with this. Beyong that I would recommend Georgetown (reputation, quality, and cost). $760 at Nova is a lot to pay. You don’t want to accumulate a lot of debt. Georgetosn’s reputation is better than Nova’s.
I’d recommend Georgetown, because the reputation will carry nationally and you can have a concentration in either Business or Communications in addition to a solid core curriculum and you can really tailor the program to your interests (personal education&culture, career) with the 54 elective credits.
Georgetown is certainly the best value - the biggest “name” school of the three for the lowest cost, by a significant margin.
I don’t know how important it is that the core curriculum be the same as the on-campus version. How is GTown’s online core different from what in-person students take?
The GTown choice of three concentrations doesn’t seem super well-aligned with the interests that you list, none of which are business, communications, or international relations. But, maybe one of those concentrations fits with your current or potential career goals, and you’d still have electives to pursue the other interests?
I don’t know how much weight to give the enrollment counselor’s endorsement of the advisor. I’m sure the counselors are paid to sell the program, especially given how lucrative Villanova’s online program clearly is for the school. I would view that data point with a very large grain of salt.
As a field I’d like to get into marketing and sales eventually. Ironically enough Georgetown’s program listed that as a career option after I graduate from the program. Georgetown’s faculty was definitely the strongest. lots of the professors teach undergrad on the main campus. all had impressive bios.
I have some interest in getting into sales and marketing. Georgetown listed that as a potential career option within my program. Georgetown had the best faculty as well. Yes I was thinking the same thing. with 54 elective credits I can really tailor something off the business concentration I chose with G’Town
I did read great things about Georgetown’s program. I have interest in sales and marketing which Georgetown listed as a potential career outcome. I chose the Business concentration when I applied. I could use the 54 credit hours to tailor something good. also, the faculty teaches undergrad on the main campus as well, so I’ll have world class professors. at $400 a credit hour it’s hard to beat. I also get full Georgetown Alumni benefits.
Recently applied and got into a Villanova program. VU is a terrific institution, and I liked the program a lot. Wanted to get peoples opinion on it compared to my Georgetown program that’s all. I’m confident I have gotten my answers because of the helpful advice from both thread posts. In the end I’m choosing Georgetown University once again. Thanks again guys for the honest advice and opinions.