Ashford University: Student Testimonials And Their Impact

Ashford University, formerly known as the University of Arizona Global Campus, has received mixed reviews from its students. While some praise the university for exceeding their expectations and providing a great learning experience, others have criticized it for being a business that misleads students and cares only about profits. Some students have even filed lawsuits against the university, alleging that they were lied to about various aspects of their education, including the transfer of credits, the true cost of attendance, and the accreditation of the institution. In 2022, the California court ruled that Ashford University made over 1.2 million misleading representations to prospective students, resulting in a $22.3 million civil penalty. However, there are also students who have had positive experiences at Ashford University, with one student highlighting the affordability of tuition and their satisfaction with their online degree program.

Students have mixed reviews about the quality of education at Ashford University

Some students have expressed that they felt lied to by the university, claiming that they were misled about the transfer of credits from other schools, the cost of attendance, and the prospect of financial aid. In addition, some students have alleged that the university falsely claimed to have certain accreditations that would allow students to pursue careers in fields like teaching, social work, or nursing. These allegations have been supported by legal rulings, with the California Department of Justice winning a lawsuit against the university and the university's former parent company, Zovio, being fined for deceiving students about the cost of private student loans.

On the other hand, some students have shared positive experiences, with one student stating that they did their research and found nothing lacking in their expectations, and that their online degree program exceeded their expectations. Another student, a BA major with a 3.63 GPA, shared that their experience has been great and that the tuition is affordable, but advised prospective students to be ready to commit to their studies.

In terms of the quality of education, some students have reported that the online courses are challenging due to the difficulty of professors clearly expressing their expectations. However, another student shared that they will be graduating debt-free with the help of a Pell Grant and are considering pursuing a master's degree at the university as well.

Overall, while there are some positive reviews, the majority of the complaints seem to be about financial practices and the potential impact on students' time and money.

Some students have accused the university of lying about the cost of attendance and financial aid

Some students have accused Ashford University of lying about the cost of attendance and financial aid. In 2016, Bridgepoint Education, the parent company of Ashford University, was fined $31.5 million for deceiving students about the cost of private student loans. The company was found to have inaccurately projected the student retention rate and, according to a former senior vice president at the university, lied about the cost of loans.

The median debt for students who have completed a degree at Ashford University is $34,375, and the average salary for graduates six years after graduation is $34,000 (the median is $28,500). This suggests that the financial repercussions of attending Ashford University can be significant, especially for those who take out loans to finance their education.

Some students have also expressed concerns about the lack of proper accreditation of the university's programs. For example, none of the education degrees are N.C.A.T.E-accredited or recognized by the Department of Education, and they do not lead to certification. This has left some students feeling like they wasted their time and money.

In addition, there have been allegations of improper distribution of student aid. In a 2011 committee hearing, it was revealed that 63% of students who enrolled at Ashford University during the 2008-2009 school year withdrew before completing their program. Despite this, Bridgepoint recorded more than $216 million in profits in 2010, with 86.5% of its revenues coming from federal funds. Kathleen Tighe, an inspector general with the U.S. Department of Education, testified that an audit of Ashford found that the university was improperly distributing student aid to students, with 75% of improper disbursements going to students who never became eligible.

However, it is important to note that there are also positive reviews from students who feel they received a valuable education at Ashford University. Some students have praised the university for its affordable tuition and the convenience of its online degree programs.

There are complaints about the university's accreditation and the transfer of credits

There are mixed reviews from students regarding Ashford University, with some praising the quality of education and others expressing concerns about the university's accreditation and transfer of credits.

One student review mentions that the university rarely accepts transfer credits from other schools, despite claiming otherwise. This is attributed to the university's financial interests, as they lose money for each transferred credit. The same review also questions the university's accreditation, stating that it does not hold the same accreditation as other institutions and had to revamp its basic accreditation in the past.

Another student review expresses concern about the university's business practices, alleging that they are primarily profit-driven and involve misleading students. This sentiment is echoed in a court case against Ashford University and its former parent company, Zovio, which resulted in a $22.3 million civil penalty. The court found that the university made over 1.2 million misleading representations to prospective students, costing them thousands of dollars and years of wasted time.

In contrast, some students have shared positive experiences, with one mentioning that they found nothing lacking in their expectations and that the university exceeded their expectations. This student also mentions that they did their research before enrolling and were happy with their decision.

It is worth noting that the University of Arizona acquired Ashford University in June 2022, and it is now known as the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). The UAGC is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Students have reported being misled about the graduation rate and time to complete a degree

While some students have reported positive experiences at Ashford University, others have made complaints about the institution. One of the major issues that students have reported is being misled about the graduation rate and the time it takes to complete a degree.

In 2023, the Biden administration announced that it would forgive $72 million in student loans for around 2,300 borrowers who enrolled at Ashford University between March 1, 2009, and April 30, 2020. This decision was made in response to findings that the university had misled students about the cost of attendance, the time it would take to complete a degree, and the transferability of credits. In a statement, President Biden affirmed that these students were lied to and deceived, and that they deserved better.

In addition, a lawsuit brought by the California Department of Justice alleged that Ashford recruiters used deceptive tactics to lure students, providing misleading information about career outcomes, cost, financial aid, the pace of degree programs, and transfer credits. San Diego Superior Court Judge Eddie Sturgeon upheld these claims, stating that Ashford gave students false or misleading information in order to entice them to enroll.

Furthermore, in 2016, a former senior vice president at Ashford University alleged that Bridgepoint Education, the university's parent company, falsified its financial reports by inaccurately projecting the student retention rate. Bridgepoint Education was fined $31.5 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for deceiving students about the cost of private student loans.

These reports and legal actions indicate that students' concerns about being misled by Ashford University regarding graduation rates and degree completion times are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a broader pattern of misleading practices by the institution.

Ashford University has been accused of using deceptive recruiting tactics and providing false information

In February 2024, a California appellate court upheld an $21 million judgment against for-profit college Ashford University and its former parent company, Zovio Inc. (formerly Bridgepoint Education), for violations based on false and misleading statements to prospective students. The California Department of Justice proved in court that Ashford used high-pressure and deceptive recruiting tactics to attract students.

The court's factual summary revealed that Zovio, an education technology services company, purchased a small accredited campus-based religious university in Iowa in 2005, which it renamed Ashford and transformed into an online institution. The trial court found that the defendants created a high-pressure, fear-based culture in the admissions department, emphasising enrollment numbers over the accuracy of information provided to prospective students.

Ashford has been accused of misleading prospective students in several ways. These include misrepresenting the feasibility of taking two classes simultaneously, downplaying future debt, misstating federal financial aid rules, and falsely promising that Ashford degrees qualified graduates for certain careers. The school has also been criticised for improperly distributing student aid and for falsifying its financial reports by inaccurately projecting student retention rates.

While some students have praised the university, particularly with regard to the affordability of tuition and the quality of its online courses, others have echoed the accusations of misleading information and deceptive practices. One review states that "they will lie to you from the start about pretty much everything", including the transfer of credits from other schools, and the completion of courses. Another student review mentions that they "read some of the reviews of Ashford and those that appeared negative seemed to only be concerned about the finances of attending the University".

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