The Association of Private Colleges (APC) represents eleven degree-granting colleges in New York State. Like all colleges in New York, APC members are governed by the state’s Board of Regents. APC member colleges serve more than 20,000 students and maintain above-average student outcomes. Offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in numerous traditional and emerging fields, program completion rates across APC member colleges are strong.
APC member colleges have a long history of providing an affordable and quality education. The average APC member college has been in existence for more than 90 years and more than half of APC membership were founded over 100 years ago.
APC member colleges are New York focused, educating students for lifelong careers that are in demand in New York. Ninety percent of students attending APC member colleges are from New York and more than 80 percent of those students stay in New York after graduation to live and work. They also employ more than 6,000 people and are strong economic drivers in their local communities.
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Successfully Graduating Associate Degree Students On-Time
APC member colleges believe on-time graduation is the key to success for students. Graduation helps ensure students are able to find good jobs and repay their student loans. In fact, recent studies have shown that student loan borrowers who struggle the most to repay their loans are often non-completers.
Successfully Graduating Associate Degree Students On-Time
Source: NYS Education Department 2018
New York’s APC member colleges offer students exceptional support throughout their college experience. Common themes include individual attention, small class size, counseling and financial literacy training and career development.
New York’s APC member colleges have the highest graduation rate for full-time students earning associate level degrees across all sectors of higher education.
On time graduation rates: APC member colleges believe on-time graduation is important and key to keeping student loan debt as low as possible. Many member colleges offer a 12 credit, 3 semester model that encourages students to attend year round and reach graduation sooner.
Boosting College Completion
Based on recent IPED’s data, in the 2016-2017 academic year, APC member colleges conferred 7,670 certificates, associate, bachelor, master and doctorate degrees. Of those degrees, 857 were master’s and doctoral degrees.
Number of Degrees Conferred to APC Students, 2018-2019
Source: IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education
Effectively Transitioning Students from High School to College
APC member colleges create opportunities for students who have previously struggled in high school and have developed a model to help educationally disadvantage students, thrive and graduate.
This includes offering remedial programs, which help students acclimate to the pace and demands of college study; small class sizes, which provide a more attentive learning environment; and internship programs, which energize students by putting them in real work settings.
On-Time Associate Degree Graduation Rates for
Students with a High School GPA Between 80 – 89.9%
On-Time Associate Degree Graduation Rates for
Students with a High School GPA Between 70 – 79.9%
Source: NYS Education Department 2018
The result? Students who have previously struggled in high school are empowered and able to continue their education, earning an associate degree on time. As presented in the corresponding chart, students with lower High School GPA’s complete their degree on time at APC member colleges.
Creating Higher Education Opportunities for All Students
Serving women and minority students: Each year APC institutions welcome diverse classes with high enrollments of minority and female students – in fact, in 2017, women comprised 69 percent of the students at all member institutions combined, and some institutions’ average student populations are closer to 80–90 percent female enrollment.
Serving veterans: APC institutions currently educate more than 2,000 veterans; participating in state and federal veterans support programs, providing additional scholarships and implement institutional veteran support programs to ensure that service members and veterans successfully complete their degrees.
APC member colleges help more students with disabilities and special needs graduate with their associate degree, on time, than any other sector of higher education.
On-Time Associate Degree Graduation Rates
for Disabled Students
Source: NYS Education Department, 2018
On-Time Associate Degree Graduation
Rates for Hispanic Students
On-Time Associate Degree Graduation Rates for
Black, Non-Hispanic Students
On-Time Bachelor Degree Graduation Rates
for Hispanic Students
On-Time Bachelor Degree Graduation Rates for
Black, Non-Hispanic Students
Source: NYS Education Department, 2020
In addition, APC member colleges are successfully helping minority students obtain a college education.
Fueling New York’s Employers
High job placement rates: Not only are students attending APC member colleges staying in New York after graduation, they are filling the needs of local employers, especially in high demand fields such as healthcare, and contributing to the overall economic development of New York State.
Internships are a critical component to the education process and prepare APC students for employment after graduation. At most APC member colleges, internships are a core requirement and truly compound the value of the educational experience.
At LIM College in Midtown Manhattan, students earn degrees in the business of fashion.
Recruiters and former students discuss why graduates continue to be hired within the industry.
At the College of Westchester (CW), students graduate with degrees in programs such as business, accounting, digital media and technology.
CW graduates, who are now employees of Krasdale Foods, discuss their tenure with the organization and the positive relationship between the Fortune 500 Company and the college.
Monroe College, founded in 1933 has one of the highest graduation rates for minority students in the country. Their graduates go on to find meaningful careers in the fields of criminal justice, accounting, culinary arts and nursing. Monroe College graduates are making a difference in NYC and beyond.
Keeping College Affordable
College Affordability: In the 2017/2018 academic year, average tuition at APC’s member institutions increased less than 2 percent and member colleges provided more than $95 million in institutional aid. This is possible because APC member colleges are adept at identifying operating efficiencies without negatively impacting faculty development or student support systems. For example, using e-textbooks or textbook rentals for course material is much more cost effective than requiring students to purchase textbooks outright.
Student Loan Debt
APC member colleges offer their students exceptional support throughout their college experience. Common themes include individual attention, small class room sizes (average student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1), counseling and financial literacy training and career development. This attention and support translates into more students successfully graduating on time with lower student debt overall. According to recently released College Scorecard data, students graduating from APC member colleges accumulate an average of just $22,357 in student loan debt. This is significantly lower than the average student loan debt of New York residents of $30,931 and the national average of $28,650.
Comparing Average Student Loan Debt
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard