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Capella University

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LAST UPDATED: June 27th, 2019

Capella University was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Capella University was originally established as a regional education provider, but has grown into one of the largest publicly traded for-profit universities in the country. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Capella University. Industry and trade accrediting agencies also accredit several of Capella's individual programs. With 141 degree programs and 25 certificate programs, Capella University offers 1600 courses to help students complete the program of their choice. Students have the ability to complete their degree entirely online and over 35,000 students are currently enrolled in various online programs.

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The Good

  • FlexPath Program
  • Program Amenities
  • Highly Rated among Employers
  • Affordable Tuition

FlexPath Program

Capella University has developed a program which allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own time. Each student has a unique schedule and the Capella FlexPath program allows their students to earn their degree without inconveniencing their current schedule. The FlexPath program is a self-paced learning format that does not require meeting weekly deadlines. Students can move as quickly or as slowly through the material as they want.

Program Amenities

Additionally, Capella offers a number of educational options and degree programs. Benefits include:
  • Capella offers one of the best and only distance degree PhD programs around.
  • In a recent survey, 80% of Capella students reported that their education had a positive impact on their career potential.
  • Capella has some of the best faculty around. Their faculty is trained in outcome-based and online education.

Highly Rated among Employers

Employers also chimed in and favored Capella graduates, with 96% of employers rating Capella graduates as being exceptional. Across the board, Capella was one of the few colleges or universities online that elicited such a glowing review from employers. This statistic also indicates that many Capella graduates move on in their field to find meaningful employment.

Affordable Tuition

Capella tuition is also affordable. Undergraduates pay $371 per credit hour, which is standard for online platforms. Quarterly tuition for certificates, master's, and doctoral degrees were also reasonable with financial aid options available.
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The Bad

  • Additional Fees
  • Billing Concerns
  • Online Platform

Additional Fees

One common complaint from current students is that Capella University charges fees and rates for things that other online programs included as part of the education program. Capella doesn't include textbooks and materials as part of their tuition, where many online programs cover student books and materials. This frustrated students because the advertised price is a flat rate per credit hour or semester. Also, there are undergraduate and graduate assessment fees that can add up quickly.

Billing Concerns

Other billing concerns included:
  • Charges re-surfacing after dropping classes
  • Class fees for particular subject manner
  • Confusion over pell grant allotment

Online Platform

There have also been complaints surrounding the platform in which students operate. There have been times students have experienced problems turning in assignments or looking at feedback. While this can be irritating, it is important to note that Capella services thousands of students and glitches are bound to happen.
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The Bottom Line

Overall, Capella is one of the best online universities around, especially with their PhD program. The tuition cost per credit hour on average is both reasonable and affordable, especially for an online for-profit university. The main concern for Cappella students is that their "other costs" can make enrolling in this university a pricy endeavor. Prospective students interested in enrolling in a Capella University program will need to do the following:
  1. Create an account online
  2. Start an online application
  3. Submit all necessary documents and test scores if applicable
  4. Identify which program the student wishes to pursue
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Sheila Pope, Ph.D

Attending Capella University was a wise decision. I earned my doctorate at my pace. I received tons of support, and I met awesome friends online and in person. I loved the format of the program;however, my program was rigorous! I put in tons of hours of studying to become a scholar. My committee was accessible via online. It was great to meet professors, mentors, and staff at the Colloquiasame. Capella has an strong social media presence; students have the ability to participate in student organizations too.

7 years ago