Myths about Private Higher Education

1
Myths about Private Higher Education

• Presentation College
• July 2008

2
Private education is more expensive - FALSE

• When comparing colleges, look at the total of the
  educationally related expenses.  A state schools
  applicable fees may equal or actually be greater
  than the tuition rate. 
• A state school has tax payer money available to
  assist in covering the operating expenses giving
  them the ability to charge a lower tuition
  rate-but watch out for fees. 
• Private schools do not receive the state subsidy,
  they rely on donors and other grant opportunity
  which are awarded to students to assist in
  lowering tuition costs. 
• PC provides a quality education at an affordable
  tuition rate.  We charge the lowest tuition of
  the South Dakota independent colleges.  (EAC SD
  Schools tuition and fees). 

3
Public School graduates owe less money in
financial aid/loans - FALSE

• 49 of PCs graduating cohort in 2007/2008 owed
  LESS than PCs average loan indebtedness of
  27,400
• Whether or not you borrowed, everyones tax
  dollars pay for public education
• This investment is equivalent to most new cars -
  except a car does not increase your earning
  potential
• At public universities, debt levels for
  graduating seniors with student loans more than
  doubled over the past decade (Source The
  Project on Student Debt)
• Does not include loan forgiveness in some
  fields (Health Care, Social Work)

4
PC offers only academic scholarships - FALSE

• PC recognizes and strongly encourages volunteerism
  and getting involved in community activities.
• PC provides additional scholarship opportunities
  for students based on financial need, diversity
  or unique circumstances via PC Grants. 
• Additional scholarships are awarded based on
  program of study, ethnic background and financial
  need. 
• We refrain from "front loading" the student by
  providing students with scholarships for only
  their first year.  Our scholarship program was
  designed to provide students with scholarship
  opportunities during each year of their
  education.

5

Public Schools can offer more services to
students - FALSE

• PC Offers
• Intercollegiate athletics
• Social clubs
• Choir
• Campus Ministry
• Friends of Floyd Theatre Group
• Academic clubs
• Honor Societies
• Other Clubs/Organizations
• Student Ambassadors
• Student Senate
• Homecoming Activities
• A wide variety of student activities
• Disability services, counseling services and
  health services
• Job Service listings Tutoring Services through
  Career/Learning Institute

6
PC if not accredited - False

• PC is accredited by The Higher Learning
  Commission/The North Central Association of
  Colleges and Schools (from 1971 to current)
• Other accrediting agencies for programs are
• National League for Nursing Accrediting
  Commission
• South Dakota Board of Nursing
• North Dakota Board of Nursing
• Minnesota Board of Nursing
• Commission Accreditation of Allied Health
  Education Programs
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical
  Laboratory Sciences
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic
  Technology
• Council on Social Work Education
• Minnesota Office of Higher Education
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business
  Education
•  

7
You need to be Catholic to attend PC - FALSE

• Students of all faiths are welcome to attend
• 25 of the student body is Catholic
• Catholic Mass is celebrated each week and is open
  to anyone

8
Small class size can be a disadvantage - FALSE

• One-on-one assistance from faculty
• Opportunity and encouragement to participate in
  class discussions
• Get to know and interactive with other students
• Faculty know you by name in and out of class

9
Student achievement is higher at state
institutions - FALSE

• Program placement rates show PC students are
  valued employees
• Exit (MAPP) testing data indicates that our
  students have critical thinking skills that match
  those of all other institutions combined and our
  natural science scores exceed the national
  average

10
PCs location in SD is a detriment - FALSE

• Aberdeen offers a safe welcoming community (low
  crime rate, clean environment)
• Public Parks
• Movie Theaters
• Community Theater
• Shopping Centers
• Recreational Centers
• Aquatic Center
• YMCA
• Walking Biking Paths
• Sporting Activities
• Library Services
• Job Opportunities

11
When you go to College you are just a number -
FALSE

• At Presentation College, the student is
• the most important person on the campus. Without
  students, there would be no need for PC
• not a cold enrollment statistic but a flesh and
  blood human being with feelings and emotions like
  our own
• not someone to be tolerated so that we can do out
  thing. Students are our thing
• not dependent on us. Rather, we are dependent on
  them
• not an interruption of our work, but the purpose
  of it. We are not doing them a favor by serving
  them. They are doing us a favor by giving us the
  opportunity to do so.