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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to finish my degree?

The length of time it takes to finish your degree at Peirce College typically depends on the amount of transfer credit you bring in that can apply toward your degree and how many credits you can complete during each session.

The number of transfer credits a student brings with them varies greatly depending on several factors, including past college experience and whether they can earn credit for prior learning or professional licenses or certifications that can be applied to their degree program.

The Office of Admissions at Peirce College can provide a complementary preliminary review of your transfer credits so you can get an idea of how your transfer credits will apply to your degree. To speak with an enrollment specialist about your transfer credits, contact us at 888.467.3472 or admissions@peirce.edu.

How much will it cost to complete my degree?

The cost of completing an undergraduate degree at Peirce College depends on a number of variables, including:

the amount of transfer credits you possess that can be applied to your degree, including previously earned credits from other regionally accredited institutions
the number of credits you still need to complete
whether you can earn any of the remaining credits you need via prior learning assessment, such as credit-by-exam; portfolio assessment; professional or military training you have completed; or professional licenses and certifications you possess
whether you can earn any of the remaining credits you need via alternative credit providers, such as Straighterline, Study.com or Sophia.org, that have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE)

How expensive are test-out exams?

Credit-by-exam programs are much less costly that tuition for a college course. For example, the cost of a Peirce College exam is $350, compared to $1,800 in tuition for an equivalent Peirce course. Credit-by-exams offered by CLEP®, the College-level Exam Program, and DSST Exams, formerly known as DANTES, are typically priced around $90 per exam.

How can I determine whether a school is a quality institution?

Make sure the institution you are interested in is regionally accredited. Accreditation is an independent review of a school’s educational programs that provides external quality assurance of colleges and universities. Accreditation is critical in higher education because it ensures the integrity and quality of academic programs at colleges and universities in the United States. Many colleges and universities also have specialized accreditation for specific programs, such has business, nursing, legal studies and healthcare.

How can I tell a school is focused on serving busy adults?

Most schools say they serve working adults but very few are built around the unique needs of adult learners. Schools that understand adults know they bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge with them, and that they need the barriers of time and location to be removed. Look for schools with generous transfer credit policies that enable you to apply up to 90 transfer credits toward a degree. Also, your institution should have prior learning assessment programs in place, such as credit-by-exam and portfolio assessment, that allow you to earn credit for college-level knowledge you may have developed through years of work and other experiences. Competency-based education is another type of program common in schools that specialize in serving adults. Lastly, the school should have flexible learning options that allow you to select the course format that works best for you, whether it is online, on campus or a combination of both.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear from our Grads

Frequently Asked Questions

Finish
your degree.

Get Started with our
Roadmap Back to College.