From pamphlets to phone calls, incoming — and returning — college students are bombarded with information from schools eager for their attendance. But how can you ensure your tuition is buying you a quality education?
As of 2022, the U.S. houses roughly 4,600 degree-granting U.S. colleges and universities. Unfortunately, not all colleges are legitimate. To avoid losing out on thousands of dollars, be on the lookout for these three signs of a fraudulent university or degree program scam:
- The accreditation isn’t with a recognized agency.
- You’ve received high-pressure or urgent enrollment demands.
- You’re offered a fast-tracked degree that requires little to no work.
3 signs that your college may be scamming you
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, if you recognize any of these traits within your degree program, take a closer look. If you believe the school is defrauding you, unenroll and report it to the Federal Trade Commission and your state attorney general.
1. It isn’t accredited with a recognized agency
Accreditation ensures academic integrity and quality. It is awarded to U.S. universities that meet agency-set educational standards by a group of professionals who conduct in-depth reviews. Private, public and vocational schools all need institutional accreditation. Additionally, individual programs in specific fields of study may need programmatic accreditation.
Accreditation by an official agency ensures that the school isn’t engaging in fraudulent…
