Your Path To...A Great Value! posted 11/17/09
Adrian College is a ‘best buy’ in private education

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is on the rise of becoming one of the top tier private colleges in the nation. It is also one of the most affordable schools that private education has to offer.

“Private higher education at Adrian College is less expensive than most people think,” said Adrian College President, Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking. “When you combine financial aid with our comparatively low cost for tuition, room and board, you find that we are relatively close to public colleges.”

In a recent October issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the publication listed more than 3,100 colleges and universities across the country and printed their 2009-2010 tuitions and fees. Six of the nine colleges in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association were listed.

Out of the six colleges listed, Adrian is the second least expensive with Calvin College being listed at just $400 cheaper. Albion College, Alma College, Hope College, and Kalamazoo College were all listed with higher costs for tuition and fees. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the data does not reflect the cost of attendance at an institution after grants and other forms of student aid are considered.

“We are proud that Adrian College continues to be significantly below market price for private higher education,” said Docking. “Our ability to control costs while growing the College significantly these past five years is why we continue to be a ‘best buy’ in private higher education. It’s also because our growth plan is so successful.”

The growth plan Docking is referring to is the Renaissance I and II campaigns that were launched a few years ago. These campaigns used the idea of growing enrollment through extracurricular activities and enhancing academic facilities.

The College has also developed new programs such as athletic training and invested in facilities to bring the students the newest communication technologies, the most up-to-date equipment, and the best learning environments possible to help them develop into leaders at the top of their fields post graduation.

Students are flooding the campus as well as new faculty. For two years in a row, Adrian welcomed freshman classes with more than 500 students. Since 2005, the enrollment has doubled and the College brought in 28 new faculty members across all disciplines. The new professors are needed to keep class sizes small.

“Offering small classes and personal attention to students is an expensive way to teach higher education,” Docking commented. “Nonetheless, Adrian College continues to offer this high quality experience at an affordable price.  We are proud of our accomplishments.”

Senior Ryann Waterstradt agrees that the small classes and personal attention from the professors is well worth the cost of attendance.

“Professors have truly made my experience as an undergraduate meaningful,” said Waterstradt. “With set office hours and flexible schedules to set up one-on-one appointments, professors are available for course assistance and for everyday questions and concerns. It's nice to know that professors know your name and get to know your personality.”

Adrian College’s many new initiatives and numerous opportunities for students to thrive in the classroom and within the campus community, also make it a truly great value.

Waterstradt also likes the leadership possibilities and the small campus atmosphere.

“I love being at Adrian because of all the opportunities I have to step into leadership positions on campus,” said Waterstradt. “If I have an interest in starting a club on campus, all I have to do is fill out the proper paperwork and talk to the right staff members. They are so friendly and willing to help. They want you to succeed.”

Waterstradt also says that she enjoys the fact that she knows most of the people in her classes.

“I rarely see a face on campus that I don't recognize, and I like that,” she said. “Even if there is someone I don't know, at Adrian people will always smile at you.”