Table of Contents
Introduction
Keiser University is a private, for-profit university founded over 40 years ago in 1977, with multiple campuses across Florida and internationally. However, as with any large university, potential students may have questions about the legitimacy and quality of education offered at Keiser. In this in-depth review, we will explore Keiser University’s accreditation, reputation, programs offered, graduate outcomes and more to determine whether it can be considered a legitimate institution of higher education.
Accreditation and Oversight
One of the most important aspects of any university’s legitimacy is its accreditation status. Accreditation involves an independent evaluation of the university’s academic standards, resources, governance and more. Keiser University holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
SACSCOC is a nationally recognized accrediting body by the U.S. Department of Education. Maintaining accreditation requires undergoing rigorous reviews on a periodic basis. This shows that Keiser meets important quality standards set for American universities. It can grant degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels based on this accreditation.
In addition, individual programs may be accredited by specialized accrediting agencies for fields like business, nursing, law etc. For example, the business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Keiser University is licensed and regulated by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. This provides further oversight and ensures the university operates ethically. Overall, Keiser’s multiple accreditations and approvals indicate it meets the required educational and administrative standards.
History and Growth
Armed with the vision of providing career-focused education, Dr. Arthur Keiser founded Keiser College in 1977 in Florida. Starting with an enrollment of just 17 students, it grew steadily over the years by establishing additional campuses. In 2005, it was rebranded as Keiser University.
Today, Keiser University has over 20,000 students across 21 campus locations in Florida. It also has an international presence with campuses in Puerto Rico, Switzerland and Costa Rica. This scale of operations shows the university has evolved into a major player in private higher education.
The rapid growth also allowed Keiser to develop infrastructure like simulation labs, clinics and other hands-on learning facilities. This expansion correlates with positive student outcomes and reviews over the long term, establishing Keiser as a trusted brand. Its continued success even amid recessions supports that it offers a legitimate education.
Academics and Programs
Keiser University offers over 100 programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels across various fields including:
- Business Administration (Accounting, Finance, Management etc.)
- Allied Health (Nursing, Medical Imaging etc.)
- Technology (Computer Science, Network Systems etc.)
- Education (Teaching, School Administration etc.)
- Legal Studies (Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies etc.)
- Psychology
- Culinary Arts
- Public Administration
Popular online programs and on-campus programs like Nursing, IT and Criminal Justice are available with flexible schedules. This wide curriculum tailored for working professionals shows Keiser embraces innovative, career-focused education models.
The maximum class size is kept around 25-30 to enable greater student-faculty interaction. Most faculty have relevant industry experience and maintain low student-teacher ratios conducive for learning. High-tech facilities supplement academics at campus locations.
In summary, Keiser University offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to provide practical, hands-on career training to suit different interests and levels of study. This development aligns with the core goal of empowering students professionally.
Graduate Outcomes and Success Rates
One of the most important metrics of a university’s legitimacy is what happens to graduates after completion of their programs. According to the data published by Keiser, some key graduate outcomes are:
- Over 90% of nursing graduates passed the NCLEX licensure exam on the first attempt.
- Around 85% of education majors found jobs within their field of study.
- Close to 80% of IT graduates secured jobs or continued their education.
- Criminal justice alumni reported a 90% employment rate.
These outcomes indicate Keiser’s programs do indeed prepare students for their respective careers through emphasis on practical, skills-based training. Employers seem satisfied with the caliber of students from various disciplines like nursing.
Graduate satisfaction surveys also show high rates of over 80% feeling their education enhanced career development. Around 75% felt academic instruction was excellent in connecting theory with real-world application. This demonstrates Keiser focuses on turning learnings into tangible career benefits for alumni.
Overall, Keiser appears effective at translating quality education into positive outcomes like employment, further education and career growth. This suggests students get full value from the programs and degree alone does not guarantee desirable outcomes.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For a private university, affordability can be another point of skepticism regarding legitimacy. However, Keiser makes education accessible across all economic backgrounds through extensive financial assistance options:
- Institutional Scholarships up to $10,000 based on academics, community service, talent etc.
- Departmental Scholarships up to $5000 for specific allied health programs
- Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG and Direct Student Loans
- GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits for armed forces veterans
- Florida Prepaid College Plan acceptance
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement programs
- Payment Plans spanning the entire program duration
Additionally, the transparent net price calculator helps students understand actual costs upfront after all expected aid and discounts. These funding resources help alleviate the burden of tuition fees and make a Keiser education financially viable for all.
Reputation and Reviews
Here are some key takeaways from online reviews by independent sources regarding Keiser’s reputation:
Third party ratings:
- A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau with generally positive customer reviews
- Ranked in top 10% of private universities by U.S. News and World Report
Student reviews on Google:
- Over 4.6 out of 5 stars rating with focus on quality academics, career services and caring faculty
- Praise for interactive lessons, state-of-art labs and real-world internships
Alumni testimonials:
- Many credit Keiser for better job opportunities and career progression into management roles
- Appreciation expressed for personalized advising, networking events and career fairs
Employer perspectives:
- Recruitment managers report Keiser grads are well prepared and skilled for workplace demands
- Interactive teaching is seen developing highly trainable graduates ready “on day one”
Taking all review metrics together, Keiser University enjoys a sound reputation for consistently delivering a career-focused education and nurturing student success. This indicates it offers legitimate, respected programs meeting industry needs.
Is Keiser University Legit? Conclusion
After an in-depth analysis of all available information, here are the key reasons why Keiser University can be considered a fully legitimate institution of higher education:
- Accreditation from government approved national and specialized agencies
- Long history of consistent growth and graduates over 4 decades
- Diverse array of academically rigorous and career-oriented programs
- Excellent graduate employment, further education and satisfaction rates
- Scholarships, aid and financial options making education affordable
- Positive reputation on aggregator ratings and reviews by students, staff and employers
- Strict regulations by state oversight bodies ensuring educational standards
While affordability could still be a concern, Keiser seems fully committed towards student success by facilitating multiple funding pathways. Overall, it demonstrates a strong track record of providing valuable degrees and transforming lives through innovative education models.
For ambitious professionals seeking career-focused degrees, Keiser University’s legitimacy is firmly established by meeting all academic, administrative and regulatory parameters required of a university. Prospective students can feel confident about pursuing their goals through one of its many respected programs.
Be the first to comment