While college’s goal is to teach children a variety of knowledge and skills, there is typically more to it than that. Among other things, this is a great place to make friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. It also offers the perfect opportunity to learn how to be a proper adult. Unfortunately, it does not come free, at least not in the United States. Young people take out tens of thousands of dollars to cover the cost of education. For this reason alone, you better do a lot of research before you enroll yourself in any school! You can use this handy guide if you are graduating from high school or planning to go back to formal education soon. If any of these educational institutions are on your list, you might want to hold your horses…
You Might Want To Think Twice Before Enrolling At These US Colleges
Montana State University Billings, Montana
The truth is that Montana State University Billings has certain things going for it. It has a high employment rate, claiming that 89 percent of alumni land jobs within two years of graduation. Sadly, there is a lot of downsides to the school as well. Only 27.8 percent of students graduate, but no more than 11 percent do so on time. As if this was not bad enough, the average student acquires a debt of $22,448 during the time that they spent on this school. This does not sound like the best deal to us.
Montana State University Billings, Montana
Mitchell College, Connecticut
Why did Mitchell College in Connecticut earn a spot on our list? Well, graduates tend to have a median salary of $32,000 six years later to go with an average debt of $31,848. The costs are high, but the return on investment is not. Around 46.2 percent of students graduate from their programs, but this is far from the national average of 59 percent. You should not look past the quality of the facilities as well. People do not think that the poor internet, outdated classrooms, and bad food match the high tuition price.
Mitchell College, Connecticut
Grambling State University, Louisiana
Some people do not care about anything aside from enjoying college life. If this is the case, you might want to consider Grambling State University in Louisiana. There are a couple of things that you should hear first, however. Only 35 percent of the 4,000 students that enroll here earn a degree when all is said and done. If you are lucky enough to finish the degree, it is time to gear up to pay for your debts once you earn your diploma. The graduates make it out of there with an average debt of $25,732.
Grambling State University, Louisiana
Saint Francis University, Pennsylvania
With its 600 acres of farmland and forests, we can see why Saint Francis University is called one of the most picturesque colleges in the United States. While it is gorgeous, this does not change the facts of the matter. Graduates do not seem to get a good return on investment here. Twenty years after earning a degree here, you should expect a total return of -$26,000. Isn’t that the craziest thing that you have ever heard? The debt does not sound worth it if it haunts you for the rest of your lives.
Saint Francis University, Pennsylvania
California State University Los Angeles, California
Who doesn’t dream of having some fun in the sun in the Golden State? Thousands of people have this in mind, and the list includes the 27,000 students who enroll at College State University Los Angeles every year. This is a huge college that offers prospective students a wide variety of degree programs. Even though it looks good on paper, the school has gotten a lot of criticism for its being run. For one thing, the school imposed a tax on free speech on campus. We are glad that it was ultimately abolished.
California State University Los Angeles, California
Texas College, Texas
The Lone Star State has some of the best educational institutions in the United States. Still, it is bound to come with a couple of lackluster ones. Texas College has a reputation as one of the worst schools in the nation. Let us find out why. For one thing, you have to shell out $84,000 for a four-year course here. Even though that might not sound too expensive, you do not get a commensurate return on investment. After two decades, students are expected to find themselves about $46,900 in the red. Yikes.
Texas College, Texas
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
Public colleges are not the only ones that have received criticism. A lot of private colleges are thought to be among the worst in the nation. For one, we have the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, which opened in 1824. While many students graduate every year, they are not happy about the time they spent there. The college has come under fire for its outdated policies and attempts to restrict its students’ free speech. We can totally see why the students are disappointed in the school.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York
Central State University, Ohio
For Central State University in Ohio, let us start with the obvious one. The graduation rate is low, with only 22 percent of students graduating. It is a good thing that the average debt is also low at only $26,896. You are probably wondering how a college with an employment rate of 91 percent within two years and a median salary of $26,100 made its way to the list. We are here to explain that. You see, man graduates end up defaulting on their loans. At 27.8 percent of the alumni, this is certainly worrying.
Central State University, Ohio
Edward Waters College, Florida
Many students of Edward Waters College probably find it hard to say good things about the school. After all, a lot of students do not end up graduating. In fact, a little less than 20 percent see it through the end of the course. On top of that, they have to pay high fees at the Floridan educational institution, with many of them finishing with an average debt of $22,558. The last straw must be the low median salary. Students can only expect to make an annual salary of $25,900 within six years of graduation.
Edward Waters College, Florida
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
With an enrollment of 17,000 students, Georgetown University is among the biggest colleges you will find in the capital. Over here, students can take up anything from medicine to law. While it is considered a prestigious school, it does not have the best reputation out there. The truth is that this is yet another institution where the staff tries to remove the rights to freedom of speech of the students. A lot of people have even been forbidden from signing up at the college because of this. That simply cannot be good.
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
College of Rochelle, New York
It is sad to hear that the College of Rochelle has earned a reputation as one of the worst colleges in the United States of America. Things are not too bad since the average starting salary of graduates is $40K. However, this does not go very far when you live in the Empire State. The school has a graduation rate of 29 percent, whereas the average loan debt is $30,096. We can see why 12 percent of graduates have no choice but to default on their student loans. Sadly, things are not always easy in New York.
College Of Rochelle, New York
Virginia Union University, Virginia
In reality, there is a lot of competition to be the best school in America. We are sorry to report that the Virginia Union University finds it hard to keep up with the rest. Only 25.4 percent of students graduate, which has something to do with the cost. Those who graduate leave the school with a debt of $24,524. On top of that, around 15 percent of students have to default on payments. While 92 percent of graduates find employment within the span of two years, the median salary is no more than $32,000.
Virginia Union University, Virginia
Peru State College, Nebraska
You will find a lot of state colleges on lists of the best educational institutions in the country. This is not always the case, however. Peru State College might not be the worst college in the United States, but many people still find it to be on the lower rungs of colleges in Cornhusker State. Its graduation rate is 36.7 percent, which is higher than the others on the list. It can’t be a good sign that only 11 percent of them finish on time. It is a good thing that the median salary is $37,500 within six years of graduation.
Peru State College, Nebraska
Lindsey Wilson College, Kentucky
Many young people pack their bags and head off to Kentucky for school. Lindsey Wilson College is on the list of options for these youngsters. The school takes on around 2,600 students per year. Sadly, the truth is that many of them do not make it to graduation. Only 31 percent of students finish it, with many dropping out or transferring at one point or another. On the bright side, we are glad that their debts are not too high. On average, students rack up a debt of $21,000 after they earn their degree.
Lindsey Wilson College, Kentucky
St. John’s College, Maryland
If you want a picturesque college, St. John’s College in Maryland might be the perfect match for you. It has lush trees that keep the lovely buildings away from the prying eyes of the rest of the world. Even though it looks good, the truth is that the school finds it hard to keep a hold of its student population. Many students end up transferring somewhere else or just leaving altogether before they reach the end of the program. According to surveys, only 67 percent of the students believe that a degree from the school will help them land a job in the field that they want.
St. John’s College, Maryland
Jackson State University, Mississippi
We are not here to contest the idea that Jackson State University is one of the most prestigious HBCU colleges in the United States. It deserves credit for the inclusivity of the student population, with people from a variety of backgrounds. If you take a class here, you will spend a lot of time on new research and information. Sadly, the school is also infamous because the students see a bad return on investment. Once you consider the student debt and post-college salaries, you might want to reconsider going here.
Jackson State University, Mississippi
Mississippi Valley State University, Mississippi
With a yearly tuition fee of $14,500, we can see why many young people are interested in Mississippi Valley State University. Despite this, students end up leaving with a median debt of $32,252. This must not be easy to pay off. After all, the average salary is only $23,200 within six years of graduation. This is not a problem for many people since only 29.8 percent of students graduate from school. It is unfortunate that many of those who earn a degree default on loans and live in debt for years.
Mississippi Valley State University, Mississippi
Florida Memorial University, Florida
Are you young and hate the cold? If this is the case, you might want to consider living in the Sunshine State. The Florida Memorial University is one of the most popular schools among youngers, but you should think twice. The investment did not really pay off for many students, who have to pay college fees of $22,270. It might not look like a lot of money, but keep in mind that graduates’ average starting salary is $36,600. Can you even make it there? The graduation rate of the school is only 38 percent.
Florida Memorial University, Florida
Bloomfield College, New Jersey
There are a ton of top American colleges that you can reach when you live in New Jersey. Even so, the Garden State is home to some of the worst. Bloomfield College, for one, is better than a couple of other entries on this list. After all, 31.9 percent of its students go on to graduate. The average debt is on the low end at $26,044, but this is not enough to make the students happy. After all, almost 15 percent of them have to default on loans. If you ask us, this is shocking as 92 percent of students find employment.
Bloomfield College, New Jersey
Shaw University, North Carolina
The truth is that not a lot of people graduate from Shaw University. The North Carolinian school only has a graduation rate of 25.4 percent. This is quite strange since it has an acceptance rate of 52 percent. It means that students had to outdo many other students to get into the school in the first place. With an average debt of $28,044, the median salary is less than satisfactory at $29,200 after six years. It is sad to hear that nearly a fifth of graduates defaults on loan payments after only three years.
Shaw University, North Carolina
LeMoyne-Owen College, Tennessee
Even though many students have expressed interest in LeMoyne-Owen College, only 20 percent of those who enroll graduate; one of its draws is that the annual cost is only $11,900. From the loo of things, this does not help the problems with debt. Graduates finish school with an average debt of $36,796. If this was not enough for you, the median salary is no more than $28,400 after six years. It is disheartening to hear that a fifth of graduates ends up defaulting on their loans with those figures.
LeMoyne Owen College, Tennessee
Columbia College Hollywood, California
We are sure that you imagine glitz and glamor when you hear Los Angeles and Hollywood. This might be the case for certain parts of the metropolis, but this does not apply to Columbia College Hollywood. Its students can take up media studies and film to scriptwriting to special effects, but it all comes at a price. They have to shell out $10,000 more than other colleges that offer the same courses. Sadly, only 35 percent of students finish their degree. As we all know, it is not easy to find employment in Hollywood.
Columbia College Hollywood, California
Heritage University, Washington
There might be a lot of great schools in Washington, a few lower the standard. Heritage University is one of the latter. At 84.1 percent, the graduation rate is much higher than the others on the list. Sadly, only 4 percent of students graduate on time. Aside from that, the median salary after six years is pretty bad. The state average rests at $61,896, so it is dismal that graduates of this school are expected to make only $35,900. Not only that, but this figure leads to 12 percent of graduates defaulting on loans.
Heritage University, Washington
Benedict College, South Carolina
You will find many good schools across the United States, and South Carolina has its fair share of them. Sadly, not many people will consider Benedict College among those. First of all, only 31 percent of its students see the course all the way through. It is also confusing to rack up so much debt when the fees are pretty low, with a yearly $9,184. For some reason, students still make it out of their $45,144 in the red. The median salary is only $25,500, so things are doubly tough for its graduates.
Benedict College, South Carolina
Pacific Oaks College. California
No one knows what goes on inside the four Pacific Oaks College walls, so it is not all that fair to call it one of the worst American colleges. Still, there is one reason you should avoid it altogether. The school is located in California and typically has 1,200 students in its care at any given time. From the look of things, not many students are willing to give away secrets from the inside. It is a very niche college, which might explain why the graduates find it hard to land a high-paying job once they enter the workforce.
Pacific Oaks College. California
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Oregon
Plenty of art schools come with steep tuition fees, and the Pacific Northwest College of Art is not an exception. On average, students rack up about $22,716 in debt. On the other hand, graduates make an average salary of $27,400 within six years of graduation. It is already hard enough to pay off the debt as it is, but this also makes it hard to live in the state. The school has a decent graduation rate at 57.6 percent, while 6.9 percent of students end up defaulting on loans. This is actually not too bad for Oregon.
Pacific Northwest College Of Art, Oregon
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois
In general, Chicago is a top choice for students looking to move away for college. Many of them are looking into the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Even though it will give you the chance to make a name for yourself in the world of art, there are more cost-effective ways to go about it. You will spend an incredible $230,000 during your four years in the school. The return on investment is dismal with this in mind. After working for two decades, the average student will still be $25,000 in debt. Ouch.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, Illinois
Johnson University, Tennessee
If you are looking into Johnson University, you should know that the school only accepts 700 undergrads each year. It can be hard to get in when you are up against the tough competition. It is relatively calm and quiet in comparison to other American colleges. With a graduation rate of 63 percent, it fares better than the others here. Still, graduates find it hard to snag a job after they graduate. Another reason it is on this list would be the median salary. It is below the average, which makes things more unappealing.
Johnson University, Tennessee
Bacone College, Oklahoma
Are you thinking of enrolling at Bacone College? You might want to know that it is possible that you will not graduate. The school has a dismal graduation rate of only 14.9 percent. This is already bad enough, but only 6 percent of students finish their degrees on time. The school also has pretty high tuition fees, with the average student leaves with $25,220. Even though 90 percent of graduates find themselves employed within two years, the average salary is only $34,500 six years after graduation.
Bacone College, Oklahoma
Baker College in Flint, Michigan
The water crisis has put Flint on the map, but there is more to it than that. For one thing, Baker College has not been improving the reputation of the town either. Only 21.1 percent of the students at the school graduate. Once they get to that milestone, alumni find themselves $22,852 in the red. Even though it does not sound like a lot of money, it must be hard to pay all of that off when the average salary among graduates is $27,200 within six years of graduation. On the bright side, 82 percent of students find employment within two years.
Baker College In Flint, Michigan
Wesley College, Delaware
Do you want a spot at Wesley College? If this is the case, keep in mind that the acceptance rate is 62 percent. Despite this, a lot of students go on to drop out anyway. For those who want the digits, only 31 percent of students go on to graduate. Those who finish their degree come out with an average debt of $31,084 and make an average salary of $42,900. We can see why many students are not thrilled to hear this, but we are sure that this is not the only explanation for its low graduation rate.
Wesley College, Delaware
Black Hills State University, South Dakota
Are you eager to enjoy what the great outdoors have to offer? Those looking to get away from the city might want to check out Black Hills State University. This place is perfect for that. Sitting atop 123 acres of land, the campus is a sight to behold. There are only 4,000 students at the school, so there is more space than most educational institutions have to offer. On the other hand, the return on investment is less than satisfactory. Graduates remain in the red for a long time, so it might not be the best option.
Black Hills State University, South Dakota
Philander Smith College, Arkansas
For the longest time, Philander Smith College has been called one of the most prominent HBCU colleges in the country. The students come from different minority backgrounds. While it does a good job at that, it can still improve in certain aspects. For one thing, it only has 760 students. Despite this, many of them end up leaving before they see the end of the degree program. With a graduation rate of 30 percent and a median salary that is $10,000 below the national average within six years, we can see why this is the case.
Philander Smith College, Arkansas
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky
In 1859, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary opened its doors. It has been welcoming students from different parts of the country since then. These days, it has about 3,000 students, which means that it is one of the country’s smallest colleges. It is picturesque and has a wide selection of degree programs. The school is doing better than most others on this list since the graduation rate is 46 percent. What really brings it down is that many students graduate with too much debt to their names.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kentucky
DeVry University, Illinois
It is one thing to have a low graduation rate or high tuition fees. However, it is another thing altogether to be reprimanded by the Federal Trade Commission. Sadly, DeVry University went through this because of misleading information. The school was accused of giving students misleading data regarding their odds of snagging a job upon graduation. They are not too happy with the college since it only has a graduation rate of 29 percent. On average, they also have to pay off a debt of $43,000 by the end of it.
DeVry University, Illinois
Morris College, South Carolina
In 1908, Morris College opened its doors. Since then, it has been home to a small number of students. It is located in South Carolina and has about 1,200 students at any given time. While it is on the smaller side, it does not seem ready for the modern age. Many students say that it lacks when it comes to tech, which explains why a lot of people drop out or transfer. Its graduation rate is only 29 percent.
Morris College, South Carolina
Nevada State College, Nevada
Are you finding it hard to believe that Nevada State College is among the worst colleges in the country? While the graduation rate is only 27.6 percent, the average salary is quite impressive. On average, the students only make $47,600 within a decade of graduation. The median debt, on the other hand, is about $11,000. It might look like many graduates will thrive, but graduates still default on their payments for some reason. We do not know why, but it does not improve the rep of the school.
Nevada State College, Nevada
University of the Southwest, New Mexico
Sometimes, an establishment needs to see how it is doing thus far. This is the only way they can see if they have to change. We think that it is high time for the University of the Southwest to do this. It has an acceptance rate of 45 percent, but the graduation rate is only 16.1 percent. We are sure that the graduates are not happy with its average debt of $23,112 and an average salary of $36,200 within six years.
University Of The Southwest, New Mexico
The Art Institute of Atlanta, Georgia
Do you want to attend art college? If you said yes, we hope that you are ready to spend a lot of money. This is also true at the Art Institute of Atlanta. Graduates have a median debt of $31,656. It can be hard to pay this off as the average salary is only $30,900. Not many students get a degree from the school since the graduation rate is a measly 23 percent. In fact, only 11 percent of them graduate on time!
The Art Institute Of Atlanta, Georgia
Harris-Stowe State University, Missouri
With a graduation rate of only 8 percent, you might want to think twice before you enroll at Harris-Stowe University. Can you believe that so few of its students see it through to the end? Not only that, but only 2 percent of students finish on time. People tend to spend longer in college, so the average debt climbs all the way up to $30,944. Is it really any wonder why people leave? We are sure that no one is impressed with its low median salary, high average debt, and low graduation rate.
Harris Stowe State University, Missouri
The University of Maine at Augusta, Maine
The University of Maine might be a convenient choice, but this does not mean that it is a good choice. For one thing, it only has a graduation rate of 27.8 percent. That is not all there is either. Students often find themselves in debt of about $23,896. The median salary, on the other hand, is only $27,700. If it matters to you, the athletics at the school is not doing too hot either. On the bright side, its employment rate after two years is not too bad. It is just below 83 percent, which is the national average.
University Of Maine At Augusta, Maine
Western International University, Arizona
Do you want a college that feels homier and cozier than anything else? Western International University only has a student population of 1,300 students, so this is possible over here. Sadly, we struggle to find other good things to say about it. Only 15 percent of students graduate. It is also shocking to hear that only a single percent of students do so on time. We sure hope that you are in for the long haul. If one finishes their degree, the average graduate ends up $21,228 in the red. Of course, that is a pretty big ‘if.’
Western International University, Arizona
California College San Diego, California
A college is nothing without its professors. But how come only 19 percent of professors teaching full-time at the California College San Diego? This means that a lot of students find it hard to enjoy office time with the professors. We wonder if this is the reason the graduation rate is only 36 percent. This is not even the worst part. The area’s intense competition and high living costs mean that students graduate with an average debt of $31,884 and a median salary of $39,000 after six years.
California College San Diego, California
Fountainhead College of Technology, Tennessee
We are sure that you can already guess what the school specializes in. Yes, the Fountainhead College of Technology is indeed known for technology. It is easy to assume that it offers the best in the field, but it has been called one of the country’s five worst colleges. The truth is that so few students leave with a degree to their name, and even fewer people find a good return on investment at the school. It is not hard to understand why a lot of students avoid this school completely. Best steer clear of this one.
Fountainhead College Of Technology, Tennessee
Nazarene Bible College, Colorado
For certain folks, the Nazarene Bible College sounds like the ideal school. This private religious school offers one of the best philosophy programs in the nation, after all. Still, getting into school is not a guarantee that life will be easier for you upon graduation. Many folks who earn their degree from the school struggle to find employment since the field is not exactly lucrative. We are sure that they knew that going in. Most of them land teach on a part-time basis instead of enjoying a full-fledged career.
Nazarene Bible College, Colorado
Mt. Sierra College, California
On the topic of colleges, this one is on the newer side of things. In 1990, Mt. Sierra College opened its doors to people looking to take up degrees in technology or business. Many people have only good things to say about the professors, but this does not align with the official records. For one thing, only 6.2 percent of students graduate from school. The teachers might be talented educators, but this has not improved the college’s graduation rate. How sad is that?
Mt. Sierra College, California
Stevens Henager College-Ogden, Utah
It might look like the Stevens Henager College-Oden has a rather high graduation rate. Compared to the other schools here, it is certainly doing better at 42.4 percent of the student population. However, this image is shattered once you learn that only 18 percent of students graduate on time! On top of that, the median salary is only $28,800 after six years. This is a lot lower than the national average, which stands at $61,557. Not only that but the average student graduates with a debt of $34,040 to their name too.
Stevens Henager College-Ogden, Utah
Goshen College, Indiana
You might be considering Goshen College if you prefer small towns to big cities. We are here to make you think twice before you go ahead and enroll there. The college only has a student population of a thousand students at any given time. It is a good thing that what it lacks in population makes up for it in costs. According to reports, four years at the school will cost you $159,000. On top of that, the return on investment does not look very good. After two decades, the average student still has $29,000 in debt.
Goshen College, Indiana
Montserrat College of Art, Massachusetts
To be fair, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the gold standard in the state. It makes the others look pretty bad compared, but Montserrat College of Art is doing even more badly than the others. With a graduation rate of 48.5 percent, it is not the worst. However, it is not the best either. At any rate, it is the financial cost that brings it to the bottom of the barrel. Students earn an average salary of $26,500 after six years. On the other hand, they have a median debt of $47,340, thanks to their education cost.
Montserrat College Of Art, Massachusetts