UBCNews - Business - Real Cost of College: How Newman's Pathmaker Saves Time AND Money

Episode Date: December 12, 2025

Welcome back, everyone. Today, we're tackling something that keeps a lot of families up at night - the real cost of college. And I'm not just talking about the tuition bill. I'm talking about time, opportunity, and what you actually get for that investment. Newman University City: Wichita Address: 3100 McCormick Website: https://newmanu.edu/

Welcome back, everyone. Today, we're tackling something that keeps a lot of families up at night. The real cost of college. And I'm not just talking about the tuition bill. I'm talking about time, opportunity, and what you actually get for that investment. Right. And that's the conversation that's been evolving rapidly over the last few years. Because when you sit down with a high school student and ask them about their dreams, they light up. But the moment you mention college, you see this shift, this anxiety about whether it's even worth it. That anxiety is real. Higher education has evolved over time,

shaped by various factors, including the research university model and curriculum standardization. But today's students are asking, can I actually afford this? Will I get a job? Is there a better way? Exactly.

And that's where accelerated degree programs come in. These aren't shortcuts. They're strategic paths that eliminate inefficiencies. Students can reduce degree completion time by 25 to 40%, which means entering the workforce sooner and cutting overall tuition costs significantly. So we're talking about real savings here. If you can finish in three years instead of four, you're saving on tuition, living expenses,

and you're not losing that year of potential income. Have you ever calculated what a year of earning potential is actually worth to you? Absolutely. There's growing interest among prospective students in three years. degree programs, with tuition savings and faster workforce entry as primary motivators. The question families should ask is, how much is a year of your life worth? Or put another way, what could you accomplish with that extra year? That's powerful. And when you're 18 or 19, a year feels like an eternity. But here's what I'm curious about. How do these programs maintain quality while

speeding things up? Great question. The key is they don't water down the degree. A solid accelerated program still delivers 120 credit hours, the same as traditional programs. What changes is the structure? Instead of spreading courses over four years with long summer breaks, students learn year-round completing general education through hands-on projects during the summer. So the focus is using time more efficiently. I mean, why do we even have those long summer breaks in higher education? It's actually a combination of factors.

the agrarian cycle, lack of air conditioning in earlier eras, and the desire for standardization all played roles. Well, campuses have modern climate control now, and the world operates on a 24-7 schedule. Education is adapting to that reality. You know, I sometimes joke with my students that we're the only industry that shuts down for three months when we have perfectly good air conditioning. Right, exactly. Project-based learning is transformative.

students develop critical skills like teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, and workplace etiquette. Instead of checking boxes with disconnected classes, they work on real projects, like designing an accessible playground component. That requires research, communication, quantitative reasoning, and creative design, all integrated into one experience. That playground example really illustrates how students develop multiple skills at once. I actually had a student a few years back, who told me she learned more in one summer project than in two semesters of traditional coursework. That stuck with me. That point about integrated skill development sets up our next piece, career customization.

But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Newman University's Pathmaker program provides a three-year bachelor's degree with an optional fourth-year masters, combining customized career pathways with hands-on summer projects. Students work with AI-powered degree planning tools and industry partners to create education aligned with their professional goals. With a flat-rate tuition covering fall, spring, and summer, Pathmaker delivers personalized advising and real-world internships. Learn more at newmanu.edu. Picking up on integrated skill development and career customization, how do students actually tailor their degrees to match specific career goals.

This is where innovation meets practicality. Students can use AI-powered tools that provide recommendations based on course catalogs and regional job descriptions. So if you want to become a financial planner, the system suggests a degree pathway, and then industry experts and advisors work with you to ensure it matches real-world requirements. That's a significant advantage.

You're not locked into a one-size-fits-all major. You could combine finance with art or biology with entrepreneurship, depending on what makes you stand out. Exactly, and many employers recognize the rigor and efficiency of well-designed accelerated programs, though perceptions vary across industries. Plus, students graduate with portfolios of real-world projects they can show employers, not just transcripts. Mm-hmm, makes sense. What about the master's degree option? This is where it gets really interesting.

If you complete your bachelor's in three years, you can add a fourth year for a master's in fields like data science, business administration, or social work. So while your peers are finishing their senior year at traditional programs, you could be starting a career with a master's degree and the potential for higher earnings in your field. And the financial math on that is compelling, right? You're saving on overall education costs, entering the workforce earlier, and gaining a competitive. edge. Definitely. And beyond the numbers, there's the experiential advantage. These programs emphasize internships, industry partnerships, and continuous learning. Students build networks with faculty, alumni, and local professionals from day one. That support system continues long after graduation. So think about what an extra year of your life is worth. What could you do with that time? Start a

business, travel, begin your career, or pursue another degree. That's the question families need to wrestle with. Time management and identifying high-impact learning opportunities become vital skills. Students in accelerated programs focus on one or two subjects at a time, allowing for deeper engagement rather than juggling five disconnected classes. And they're learning to work in teams, which is how the real world operates. You know, it's kind of ironic. We go through school mostly solo, but then every job requires collaboration.

That's a critical point. Project-based learning builds those collaboration muscles. Students develop learning agility, initiative, and self-confidence through working together on meaningful challenges. These approaches can support improve retention and stronger industry connections. I had a conversation recently with a parent who was torn between the traditional experience and these newer options. Her concern was whether her daughter would miss out on something intangible. That's a valid concern, but the truth is accelerated programs often provide more engaged, immersive experiences. Students aren't passively attending lectures. They're solving real problems, building things, and connecting with professionals in their field from the start. That creates its own sense of community and purpose. Right. And the traditional path absolutely works for many students. But for those who are ambitious, career-focused, and ready to take control of their education, these accelerated options present something different. I think the broader trend here

is empowerment, giving students agency over their education, aligning it with their goals and passions, and equipping them with skills to lead and innovate. Higher education is being reimagined to serve today's students and their diverse needs. That's a perfect place to wrap up. The slow, predictable path isn't the only route to success anymore. For families willing to consider alternatives, accelerated programs deliver earlier returns, customized learning, and a head start on the future. Thanks for joining us today. Thank you. It's been a pleasure.