Survey Finds Veteran Alumni Had Positive Experiences at Proprietary Institutions

CECU | Career Education Colleges and Universities

8/31/2021

Arlington, Va. — A new survey commissioned by Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) found that a majority of respondents felt that their experiences at proprietary institutions positively prepared them for professional success in the future.

Of the student veterans polled, a majority agreed or strongly agreed:

• Coursework reflected the current needs of their workplace (79%) and that their studies prepared them well for employment (78%).
• Their program of study helped them achieve their personal (83%) and career goals (75%); and
• The value of the education received at their proprietary institutions was worth the cost (80%).

Over one-third (40%) of respondents had attended another form of higher education prior to enrolling in a proprietary program. Several alumni reported dissatisfaction with traditional institutions due to mismatched teaching styles, generic requirements unrelated to their major or skill goals, or non-recognition of the skills and knowledge they had already obtained through the military.

Streamline coursework, flexibility, and the personalized approach associated with proprietary programs positively motivated veteran alumni. The survey also found that student veterans feel especially comfortable at CECU member institutions because they often feel a sense of community not experienced at traditional colleges.

Survey participants overwhelmingly agreed that the value of their proprietary education was worth the cost (80) and that the skills (76%) and knowledge (75%) acquired are relevant to their current work.

“Veteran students are often looking for opportunities to build on the skills and knowledge they gained in the military so that they can quickly apply those skills to building careers in the civilian workforce,” said CECU President and CEO Dr. Jason Altmire. “It is clear that proprietary institutions provide this opportunity effectively and in a way that allows veteran students to feel comfortable, encouraged, and welcomed.”

Among surveyed participants, proprietary institutions provide programming that meets veteran student needs more successfully than those programs offered at traditional colleges. Veteran students enrolled in proprietary institutions are met with a clear path to success, along with the professional tools and community support they need to succeed in civilian life.

Career Education Review has published an article on the survey and its implications for the proprietary career college sector, available here.

The full survey results and methodology are available here.​

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Please direct media inquiries to Jenny Faubert, Vice President of Communications, at Jenny.Faubert@career.org