Brandman University Graduation and Student Loan Default Rates Demonstrate High-Quality Option for Non-Traditional Students

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Brandman University, a private, regionally accredited, non-profit higher education institution serving working professionals, today announced graduation and loan-default rates demonstrating strong outcomes for community college transfers and non-traditional students who want academic excellence along with flexible curriculum delivery.  With a 68.70 percent graduation rate* and a student-loan default rate of 2.3 percent**, significantly lower than the national average of 7.0 percent**, these rates surpass the outcomes of many for-profit institutions, who have faced intense scrutiny for low graduation rates and high student loan default rates.  

The U.S. Department of Education reports an 11.6 percent average loan default rate at for-profit institutions, with some individual default rates higher than 30 percent.  The U.S. Department of Education plans to release a series of rules this winter that will penalize schools' graduating students with heavy debt loads and poor job prospects.  However, viable quality higher education options, such as Brandman University, are successfully serving the fast-growing population of adult students who must balance professional and personal responsibilities while advancing their education.

"With the intense focus and media attention on for-profit universities' graduation and loan-default rates, people working full-time may believe there are no quality educational options that offer the flexibility they need," said Gary Brahm, chancellor of Brandman University.  "As a not-for-profit institution, our mission is our students' success, and our high graduation rates and low loan default rates are proof that a quality education can be effectively delivered on campus or online to our diverse student body. "

In addition to standard student graduation rates, Brandman reported a 68 percent graduation rate among military students who traditionally have lower completion rates because of their multiple deployments.

Created in 1958, Brandman University was previously known as Chapman University College.  In 2009, it received a generous naming gift from the Brandman Foundation.  By blending Chapman's heritage of academic excellence with student services that support busy professionals and community college transfers, Brandman can in fact graduate more students with meaningful degrees that have a reputation for quality.  The university also provides an affordable private education alternative for students unable to obtain the classes they need to graduate in state university systems and public institutions.

For more information on Brandman University, please visit www.brandman.edu

*Brandman's graduation rates are based on a four-year average of transfer student cohorts beginning Fall 1999-2002 and graduating within six years.

** Chapman University's loan default rate is 1.8 percent.  As part of the Chapman University System, Brandman University students are included in this calculation.  A study of Brandman-only students shows the default rate to be 2.3 percent.  The FY 2008 national cohort default rate reported by the U.S. Department of Education is 7.0 percent.

About Brandman University

Brandman University is a private, non-profit institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  Established in 1958 and a part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with progressive, innovative curriculum and strong support services designed for working professionals.  The university serves more than 10,000 students annually in 200-plus undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate, credential and professional development programs in arts and sciences, business, education and health, both offered online and through 26 campuses in California and Washington.  For more information, visit www.brandman.edu.

About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University (www.chapman.edu) is one of California's oldest, most prestigious private universities and is home to more than 4,000 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students at its home campus in Orange, California.

SOURCE Brandman University