2024 Update: Innovative Strategies for University Expansion in the Digital Age
2022: California is still the golden state to open a University
This involves helping our clients understand all the legal and financial requirements around university establishment, as well as providing marketing and branding advice to ensure their university or college stands out from other educational institutions.
Our competitors can only offer a limited service, either licensing or accreditation, as most don't have the skills or team required to provide a turnkey service. This is why EEC stands out from the crowd – we can offer our clients everything they need to get their university off the ground easily and efficiently.
At EEC we're looking at building a long-term relationship with our clients, where launching a university is only the first step.
We are confident that no other company can match our team of experts and their specialized knowledge.
There are close to 4,000 colleges and universities in the US, as determined by the US Department of Education. However, this number could be higher when counting satellite and branch campuses.
The fall 2019 survey by NCES shows that the distribution of public and private nonprofit schools is fairly even at about 1,600 each, with the remaining 700 being for-profit institutions.
I’ve already discussed the perks of opening a university in California in my old blog post. Today, I’m going to revisit this topic by discussing how California remains to be the golden state to open a university in 2022.
Why You Need to Consider California
When it comes to universities, the state of California remains a popular choice. This state has beautiful weather all year round with amazing nature and famous landmarks.
Home to Hollywood and Silicon Valley, California has the best of entertainment and technology at its doorstep. However, California isn't just about the perks of modern living. With gorgeous natural parks and the scenic Napa Valley, California offers a great quality of life.
Some of the key benefits of opening up an online university in California include:
The California Education System
The three-tier system in California is a huge benefit for students that received mediocre high school education.
The 100-plus community colleges provide an easy route into higher education and students also have access to the California State University (CSU) system with its 23 campuses. CSU is ideal for those students that have no interest in research and provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain real-world experience.
The University of California (UC) is the most prestigious system in the state and includes 10 campuses. Students can earn a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a wide variety of subject areas. The UC campuses also provide students with excellent research opportunities.
Population Density
California's population is the most diverse in America. With 40 million residents, 40% of whom are minority groups of color and 30% speaking languages other than English at home; it's given the state a unique culture that's distinct from other states.
This diversity provides students with many opportunities to gain experience in a variety of fields. The state's economy is also very stable, meaning that there are always jobs available in a wide variety of industries.
The other benefit to a large population is the amount of revenue realized through taxes. Funding large projects and departments in California is relatively easy, with the extra money coming in from income and sales taxes.
Clearly Defined Guidelines
In California, if you're interested in setting up a private postsecondary education institution, you can get answers to all of your questions quickly and easily. Anyone interested in applying for a license can contact the Bureau For Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE).
The BPPE has provided very clear guidelines and has a robust website with all of the information you'll need to get started. You can even find a detailed application checklist on their website.
They reply promptly to all inquiries and even offer free workshops where they walk you through the entire process, step-by-step.
The BPPE is serious about ensuring that only high-quality institutions are licensed and provides a lot of resources to help applicants meet their standards.
The Need for Accreditation
There is a small handful of states that still allow non-accredited universities to get licenses with California being one of them. Within the state, you have the ability to operate for 5 years without any accreditation.
College or University?
Want to open a college or university? Jump right in! California is one of the few states where you can use the term "college" right from the start if you're offering undergraduate degree programs.
If you're looking to offer postgrad programs, you have the ability to classify yourself as a "university" and you can do all of this without being fully accredited.
Privately Funded
There are a number of benefits to being a privately funded institution in California. Not only do you have more control over the tuition rates and what students pay, but you also have more freedom when it comes to curriculum and program design.
California is one of the richest states in the US and its citizens are similarly well equipped financially. Students can generally afford to pay school fees without having to go through loans or financial aid. However, additional funding is also available to them when accreditation is obtained.
Final Thoughts
California offers an ideal combination of great weather, diverse culture, and scenery to complement its position as one of the most desirable places for both local and international students. With a thriving tech and start-up sector, an educated and engaged population, and world-class universities and colleges, it is no wonder that students are flocking to the Golden State.
If you are interested in starting up a university or college in California and need some help getting started, feel free to give me a call. With over 28 years of experience in higher education, I've spent the last 15 years working with privately-owned universities throughout the US.
Contact us by email for additional details to open your university in the USA or schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with Dr Sandra Norderhaug.
For personalized guidance, feel free to reach out to Expert Education Consultants via email at info@experteduconsult.com with any questions you may have. This service is complimentary.
To explore customized solutions tailored to your specific needs, schedule a personalized one-on-one paid consultation with Dr. Sandra Norderhaug here.