I have been set on the nursing field for quite some time now. I am a senior in high school trying to decide what school to choose. I am torn between a public 4-year university, and a top-rated rated school; University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and Emory University. Both universities have a phenomenal nursing program, but the price is a big difference. UCA's cost of attendance is around 12,000 per year, while Emory is around 63,000. I live in Arkansas and Emory is located in Atlanta. Emory is a private institution that is well recognized in the nation. I am extremely determined to get into Emory for their masters program in Nurse Midwifery or Emergency Nurse Practitioner, but I know it would be easier to get accepted if I went to Emory for undergrad. My question to any experienced nurse out there is, does going to Yale, Columbia, Emory, or any other top rated school truly make a difference in the nursing field? Also, another consideration is that I will be graduating with almost 24 college credit hours which places me as a Sophomore in college. UCA accepts all of them, Emory accepts none. I have gone through UCA's suggested 4 year plan, and there are a couple of semesters where I will be taking up to 18 hours. With the high number of hours I'm going in with, I will be able to knock all of the hours down to around 12 with a couple of 15 hours semesters. Any opinions will be appreciated!
Emory is a great school. But better know for its Grad school in nursing. It's nclex pass rate is not as high as the adn school that is less than 10 miles aways. Do your research before paying for a school.
$170k in loans is absolutely insane. I racked up way less than that becoming a lawyer!
Emory is a fantastic school, but I think the other respondents are correct--a valid nursing license is a valid nursing license. Unless your long-lost great uncle bequeathed you an inordinate amount of money, cut your education costs.
I think much will depend on where you want to work. UCA is more of a regional school, and its reputation likely does not go much beyond Arkansas. Finding employment for a UCA grad in the region would likely be easier for a local grad than someone who went to a private, out-of-state school. If you intended to practice outside of the region, then a school with a more national reputation might a consideration.
Your most recent degree and your most recent employment experience are important for further study and further employment. They can be a help to get you that interview or to put you on a short-list for consideration. But once you reach the interview stage or are on the short-list, then it is 100% what you bring as a individual that will snag you that job.
I think top-name schools matter if you're returning to school as an older student, or if you're going to graduate school. In your case, I would put your proverbial eggs in the grad degree, and choose the cheaper option for undergrad. If you plan to work in AK, this might be a good choice as well, for the simple fact that if there is an "old boys" network where you live, they will look favorably on their state schools.
Emory is a great school. But better know for its Grad school in nursing. It's nclex pass rate is not as high as the adn school that is less than 10 miles aways. Do your research before paying for a school.
THIS is really important to look at.
Honestly, save your money and stay local. A fancy name says little about the quality of your education, especially in this field.
I think it matters what school you go to especially if you want to apply to NP school.
Usually top ranked schools DO have better nursing programs... I chose a top ranked school not just because of the name but because of the curriculum, program opportunities, NCLEX pass rate, job placement rate students reports of how pleased they were with the education, faculty support, networking opportunities, clinical experiences, retention rate, etc. I didn't want to just go to nursing school to simply pass the NCLEX I wanted to see examples of passionate, involved, committed nurses. Our school always emphasizes that they teach us above and beyond the NCLEX which is what I wanted. Also I was unsure of where in the country I want to work and so I knew a top name school would have recognition everywhere instead of just a specific local area.
So it depends on what you're looking for. If both schools are equal in their curriculum and opportunities and you want to stay local then the cheaper school does sound better. But if you value other variables and a top school offers that then go to the top school
I am a current Emory nursing student. First, let me tell you this, 63000 is a wrong data. Emory always give a lot of financial aid or scholarship, whatever, the final payment is always being less than you think!
Yes, going to Emory does not make any difference than other nursing school, if you only want to become a RN. However, Emory has a lot of faculties who are doing research, and Emory ranks 10th this year according to funding from NIH. You will have chances doing undergraduate research, approach to many great faculties, and have abundant recourses from the university: Emory Medicine, Emory Healthcare, RSPH, and even CDC! If you only wanna become a RN, ignore what I say, but if you wanna become a NP, MPH, or even phd, emory will be a much greater place than a state university. Emory nursing is not just a training school. It is a research-based higher education institute. If you get nothing financial benefit from Emory, you may go to the state university, but just let me repeat this, you can expect an unexpected financial aid....
I don't think it matters so much, even a community college would suffice, get your Associate's RN, then you can do an online RN-BSN program, I agree with others, if you're going into teaching or maybe becoming a NP, reputation might make a difference, but only for the facility reading your resume. There are strict standards under each state's Board of Nursing and they curriculum is often updated to current standards of practice.
OCNRN63, RN
5,979 Posts
Did I misread, or did you say Emory was 63k/y? Seriously? Go to med school if you're going to shell out that much money for an undergrad degree.
I don't understand people burdening themselves with so much debt. How will you ever be able to afford a house/car/apartment?