Started just six years ago, Axia College, the two-year division of the University of Phoenix, has become one of the largest associate-degree-granting colleges in the country, with more than 200,000 students.
But how closely does it resemble a traditional community college? Created for a different demographic than Phoenix’s mostly white-collar, midcareer professionals, Axia serves students who are typically entry-level workers with little or no previous college experience. While Phoenix offered associate degrees before starting Axia—mostly for students in the military—its two-year program took off with the help of the company’s marketing muscle, tapping many prospective students who were academically unprepared for bachelor’s-level work.
Axia attracts the same kind of students who might otherwise attend a local community college, and their experience may be similar. But there are differences between the two. The Chronicle takes a closer look:
Mission | Serve a broad range of students, including the recent high-school graduate, the career changer, and the senior citizen taking classes for personal enrichment. Offer both vocational/technical and general-education courses. Also work closely with local businesses and work-force-development boards. | Part of the University of Phoenix, it is not considered a stand-alone community college. Rather, it is designed as a steppingstone for students primarily planning to pursue bachelors degrees and beyond. |
Type of Student | Students average age is 29, but nearly half are 21 or younger. They tend to be first-generation college students, and often minority students, who hold down jobs while attending classes. | The average age is 33. As at community colleges, students tend to be first-generation and minority-group members, with jobs. |
Format | Courses are offered in various formats (online, televised, accelerated, traditional classroom, and evening/weekend). A hybrid formatcombining online and traditional classroom-based instructionis offered at most two-year institutions. | Courses are offered entirely online. Students take two courses every nine weeks, with classes capped at 20 students. |
Academic Programs | Offer associate degrees, certificate programs, and some bachelors degrees. The number of programs varies according to the size and location of the institution, but can range from 30 to 100, and sometimes more. | Offers associate degrees in 21 concentrations, including accounting, psychology, health-care administration, and information technology. The college does not offer certificate programs. |
Cost | Tuition averages about $85 per credit hour. Twenty-one percent of community-college students received federal financial aid in the 2007-8 academic year, the latest figures available. | Tuition is about $345 per credit hour. Phoenix officials say they dont track what proportion of students receive federal financial aid. |