40. Johnson State College – Vermont
Many high school students applying to Johnson State College are drawn in by the location. After all, Vermont is known for its rolling hills and outdoor activities – and it’s even the largest maple syrup producer in the United States! But did you know that Johnson State College has gone through quite a few changes over the past few years? And it’s decision to merge with Lyndon State to become Northern Vermont University in 2018 has not gone down well.
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At the time of writing, the acceptance rate is very respectably 95% – but that doesn’t mean that everyone graduates. All in all, the graduation rate is just 37%, which is way below average.
39. Lawrence University – Wisconsin
You might be wondering why Lawrence University is on this list. This place has a stellar reputation and an impressive graduation rate of 80%, after all. But while this is considered to be one of the best colleges in the USA in terms of education and schooling, it’s safe to say that it’s not cheap. Students can expect to pay over $47,000 a year in fees – and that’s before you think about living costs.
To make matters worse, the average Lawrence University graduate only earns around $44,000 every year after they graduate. So, you’ll likely spend a long time paying off those student loans.
38. Plymouth State University – New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a popular location for students. Overall, there are 12 public schools and six private schools to choose from – and it’s not hard to understand why Plymouth State University would suck in students. It’s in a stunning location and has great statistics to its name, and its reputation has always been pretty impressive. However, that all changed a few years ago when the school found itself caught up in a legal scandal.
When a Plymouth State University student was tried in court for some very serious charges, it was later discovered that a professor had assisted the student in court. They were fired, and another reprimanded for helping out in a smaller capacity. ×
37. Rhode Island College – Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a popular vacation spot for many, but it’s not where most people would choose to send their kids off to college. Despite this, Rhode Island College is still full of students every single year – and it seems as though they understand that their location sets them back. After all, everyone knows that living in New England isn’t cheap, and Rhode Island College graduates only make $37,000 a year on average after graduation.
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Although they’ve tried to lower their fees to help out their students, most Rhode Island College graduates walk away with around $26,000 in debt. And this can put anyone off.
36. Fountainhead College of Technology – Tennessee
Many private schools thrive in the USA, but others don’t quite make it. This was the case for the Fountainhead College of Technology, which closed its doors for the last time in 2018. Although it had been teaching students for over 250 years, it was struggling to find the balance between teaching students and being a profitable business in the USA. In the end, they just couldn’t make it work.
All in all, the fees were too high for students to afford. This meant that student numbers were low, and they weren’t quite meeting their quotas. So, they had no option but to shut up shop.
35. Hartwick College – New York
Many students love the idea of attending college in New York, but it’s fair to say that Hartwick College is (quite literally) miles away from the Big Apple. Located in Oneonta, Hartwick College is a four-year public college that sounds enticing but may be more trouble than it’s worth for students. That’s because a year’s worth of tuition will set the average student back a whopping $48,120 – which is super expensive.
To make matters even worse, only 58% of students actually graduate after spending that money. Then, when they finally get a job, they’re only expected to earn around $48,500 a year – only a tiny bit more than their debts.
34. Texas College – Texas
You probably don’t need us to tell you that there are so many amazing colleges in Texas. As the biggest state in the USA, it’s brimming with schooling opportunities – which makes it a very competitive landscape. Sadly, Texas College just doesn’t seem to be able to compete with the big dogs. For starters, the graduation rate is just 12%, which is way below average and a major turn-off for high school students.
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And while the $21,000 school fees could be worse, the average salary after graduation for Texas College students is just $23,000. Because of this, most prospective students don’t think it’s worth it.
33. Everglades University – Florida
Every high school student has dreamt of going to school in Florida, right? From the hot and sunny weather to the close proximity to the beaches and theme parks, it seems like it will be a whole load of fun. But from an academic and financial point of view, Everglades University has its downsides. Past students have even called out the school for its extortionate fees and the local living costs.
Apparently, many students regret their choice to attend this college when they realize how little money they’re left with at the end of the month. And they’re crippled with debt by the end of their course.
32. University of Montevallo – Alabama
Public schools tend to be much cheaper than private schools, but that doesn’t make them any more affordable to the average Joe. It’s highly likely that students will need to take out high-interest loans to afford their courses and work multiple jobs to buy groceries and pay rent, and some wonder whether it’s worth it for a place at the University of Montevallo. After all, they only have a 47% graduation rate.
And while the median salary of a University of Montevallo graduate is a little over $38,000, they’ll likely walk away with debts of around $26,000. So, they’ll be constantly chasing their tails.
