Phoenix College VS University of Phoenix (Maricopa: credit, private school, universities)

[cjfisher12]

I am interested in a paralegal program , and I am looking at these two institutions. Does any body have any first hand experience or input pertaining to the matter . I have done my research on the career field and am very well aware of the pros and cons.

[CodyW]

The main difference is that Phoenix College is a community college and is a part of the Maricopa Community College system. It has a physical campus on 15th Ave and Thomas in Phoenix.

The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit university (which is up for debate according to some people). They do a lot of their programs online, with many, many satellite campuses throughout the country.

I couldn't help you much as far as the actual program goes - Just realize the modes of instruction will be quite different. (Online, typically vs in-person)

[HollyhockGarden]

Hello -
I vote for Phoenix College. No matter your age, taking on a considerable amount of debt to pay for a private school is very risky. The tuition costs at Phoenix College will give you much more bang for the buck. Good luck to you.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by cjfisher12

I am interested in a paralegal program , and I am looking at these two institutions. Does any body have any first hand experience or input pertaining to the matter . I have done my research on the career field and am very well aware of the pros and cons.

I went to Phoenix College for a medical-related classes, so I can't comment on the program you're looking at, but I can say Phoenix College is a small, quiet, campus. It's really inexpensive, and my own experience was overwhelmingly positive - the instructors were 100% helpful & heavily invested in their students succeeding. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

University of Phoenix is a completely different animal, it's a for-profit mega-college, even though much of what they offer is online. It's really, really expensive, when compared to Phoenix College.

I'm not talking a couple hundred bucks more expensive, In my field, classes cost literally TEN TIMES as much. I can't imagine it being a worthwhile expense, unless you're dodging a waitlist, or trying to do exclusively online classes.

[observer53]

I've known some people who did the Phoenix College program and liked it. I think in person instruction, at a much lower price, is the way to go. Phoenix College gets my vote.

[Callisto484]

go to phoenix college. the tuition at university of phoenix was going to cost me 32k PER YEAR.

[Kimballette]

Your primary consideration should be whether the school you attend offers a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. Of the two schools you mention, only Phoenix College has that approval. Arizona - Paralegal Approved Program Directory - ABA

[bigDwiki]

University of Phoenix = Unaccredited for-profit diploma mill

Phoenix College = State owned for-education school

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by bigDwiki

University of Phoenix = Unaccredited for-profit diploma mill

Phoenix College = State owned for-education school

While everyone's entitled to their opinion, the University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission which accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region. And there's nothing unsavory about for-profit universities.

The issue here is that the University of Phoenix doesn't offer a paralegal program that's approved by the ABA, which the most discerning potential employers would consider a necessity.

[LongIslandPerson]

Even Community Colleges are superior to diploma mills like University of Phoenix

IN MOST CASES, if a school aggressively advertises online or on TV then it's not a decently regarded school.