College Success
10.04.2022 • 6 min read
Subject Matter Expert
Learn about Golden Gate University and how they work with Outlier.org to offer Degrees+. We’ll also break down 4 benefits for students from this partnership.
In This Article
It’s no secret that Outlier.org is on a mission to increase access to quality college education and dramatically reduce student debt. Now, Outlier has found an incredible partner on this mission with Golden Gate University (GGU).
Combining Outlier’s innovative approach and GGU’s 120-year legacy, Degrees+ is an accredited degree program that’s reimagining online college for one-third the average U.S. tuition.
Let’s take a closer look at how this partnership works and what it means for you.
Golden Gate University prepares their students for successful careers after graduation. On average, nine out of ten graduates are employed two years after graduation, and their median earnings are 146% higher than the national average.
How do they do it? They’ve been pioneering career-focused higher education for more than a century.
Golden Gate University is a nonprofit university that offers 65 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs with a practical career focus. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s financial and high-tech district, GGU is one of California’s oldest private universities and ranked among the top 10% of U.S. colleges for quality.
For more than 100 years, GGU has offered flexible degree programs to help working adults achieve their academic and career goals. It all began with offering evening classes in legal studies in 1901, which made law school accessible to working adults in California for the first time.
Over the years, GGU continued to expand access to higher education, including:
The first evening MBA program in Northern California (1952)
Undergraduate programs offered on 34 U.S. Air Force bases (1968)
Some of the first online degree programs (1998)
GGU’s legacy of serving working adults is more important than ever. Today, about 40% of undergraduate students work 30 hours per week or more, and 22% are parents.
Juggling work and family commitments with school can be a real challenge. Choosing a school with programs and services designed specifically for adult learners can make it easier. Washington Monthly ranked GGU the #1 school for working professionals four years in a row. And College Factual ranks GGU among the top 5% of schools nationwide for veterans.
With Degrees+ by Golden Gate University, powered by Outlier.org, students can earn an associate degree plus a job-ready certificate fully online—and save 66% compared to the national average tuition. Experienced GGU instructors teach Degrees+ courses using Outlier’s groundbreaking digital learning platform.
GGU faculty lead each course and provide interactive support through class discussions and office hours. They bring real-world insights and expertise as CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other industry leaders. GGU has designed each Degrees+ program to meet the rigorous academic standards for accreditation—giving students a strong academic foundation and a pathway to in-demand careers.
Through Outlier.org, winner of TIME Best Inventions 2020, Degrees+ students gain access to:
Cinematic, on-demand video lectures led by world-class educators from top institutions like Cornell, Yale, and NASA
Interactive learning tools built by game designers and education experts
Advising to stay on track toward their goals
Accreditation is a review process that colleges or universities voluntarily go through to show they are providing a quality education. Experts from an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education conduct these evaluations.
Accreditation is an important factor when considering a college degree because it determines if the school:
Meets or exceeds standards for academic quality
Provides acceptable transfer credits
Is eligible to receive federal financial aid
Golden Gate University has been fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 1959. That means Degrees+ programs are nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Degrees+ students are eligible for federal student aid.
There are more than 2 million transfer students in the U.S. Yet, about 60% of transfer students lose credits they’ve earned along the way.
Golden Gate University makes it easy to transfer credits into the Degrees+ program so you can pick up where you left off. GGU will track down and pay for transcripts from up to five schools for you. Then they’ll let you know which courses are eligible for transfer.
You can transfer up to 45 credits from previous courses, including 12 credits for military service or work experience. You can also receive credits for testing through:
Advanced Placement (AP) exams
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs)
GGU has created a pathway for Degrees+ graduates to continue on to a bachelor’s degree. If you graduate Degrees+ with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, you are guaranteed acceptance into any GGU bachelor’s program. You can also take advantage of discounts on their bachelor’s programs:
30% tuition discount for Degrees+ graduates
20% tuition discount for close family members of Degrees+ graduates
If you choose to continue your studies elsewhere, you’ll have 60 credits and an accredited associate degree from Golden Gate University. According to the Community College Research Center, students who transfer with a certificate or an associate degree are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than transfer students with no credential.
Plus, students who transfer almost all of their credits are 2.5 times more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than students who only transferred half of their credits. With Outlier’s Credit Transfer Network, there are nearly two dozen schools that will accept all 60 credits—no questions asked.
Wherever you choose to study after Degrees+, Golden Gate University and Outlier.org will set you up for success.
Because of GGU’s accreditation, eligible Degrees+ students can receive federal student aid to help them pay for college. To see what financial aid options are available to you, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (Check out our quick guide to fill out the FAFSA for details.)
Financial aid could cover the entire cost for students that qualify. Each year, 42% of students receive an average of $5,179 in federal grants. This aid exceeds Degrees+ annual tuition of $4,470 and does not need to be repaid like student loans. In fact, more than half of college students are eligible to fully fund a Degrees+ program with just the Pell Grant.
Whatever your circumstances, counselors in GGU’s Financial Aid Office can help you create a customized financial plan to fund your education.
Degrees+ graduates join GGU’s 68,000-strong alumni network and gain access to valuable career services.
With career counseling, you’ll have one-on-one help with:
Job searching
Resume and cover letter writing
Interview techniques
LinkedIn profile development
Salary negotiations
GGU can help connect alumni with jobs and internships—both in the Bay Area and nationally. GGU also hosts a variety of events for alumni, including:
Career fairs
Recruiter panels
Networking events
Online career resources are available, including:
On-demand webinars
Mock video interviews
Company reviews
A job search app for international students
With dedicated support and resources from GGU, you’ll never be alone on your journey to landing your dream job.
The partnership between Golden Gate University and Outlier.org is increasing access to a high-quality college education that’s truly affordable. Explore Degrees+ programs in three in-demand majors, and apply online in under 15 minutes.
Outlier (winner of TIME Best Inventions 2020) and Golden Gate University (#1 school for working professionals) have redesigned the experience of earning a college degree to minimize cost and maximize outcomes. Explore a revolutionary way to earn your college degree:
College Success
Get ready for college unlike anything you’ve experienced. Learn what it’s like to be a Degrees+ student. We’ll also break down the program and share tips from past students.
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