In Effort to Help Make College More Affordable, Rasmussen College Reduces Tuition in Medical Administration Program

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College, a regionally-accredited postsecondary institution, announced today it will be lowering the price of its Medical Administration degree program in Minnesota by 11 percent from $395 per credit to $350. The tuition decrease will go into effect beginning with April 2012 classes.

"Our goal as a career-focused and student-centric institution of higher learning is to ensure that our students obtain the most value from their education at Rasmussen College, which in turn can result in a career of stability and security," Rasmussen College Chief Executive Officer Tom Slagle said. "Rasmussen College is committed to making the necessary adjustments to help reduce costs in key areas that will place academic and career goals closer in reach. Our reduction in tuition for our Medical Administration degree program is just one more example of our commitment to student success."

In his State of the Union address, President Obama emphasized the important responsibility shared by the federal government, states, colleges and universities to promote access and affordability in higher education. According to his "Blueprint for Keeping College Affordable and Within Reach for All Americans," this can be achieved by reigning in college costs, providing value for American families, and preparing students with a solid education to succeed in their careers.

In early 2011, Rasmussen College lowered the credit cost of its Medical Assisting Associate's degree program to $310 per credit. In October, Rasmussen College announced the launch of its new online, AcceleratED Bachelor Completer program designed specifically to help adult students complete their Bachelor's degree in order to advance their career. The fully online program offers an accelerated course completion that enables students to finish their degree in as little as 18 months. Tuition is priced affordably at $260 per credit.

"We are focused on ensuring that our students receive a high quality education that's affordable, and that will provide them with the foundation they need to have a successful career. This is the value that students will receive at Rasmussen College, and the foundation of our Support+ network of services and tools in place that help our students become even more successful," Slagle said.

According to the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2011 report, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions are averaging 8.3 percent higher in 2011-2012 than they did in 2010-2011. Tuition and fees at public, two-year colleges averaged 8.7 percent higher in this same timeframe. However, while an 8.3 percent increase was the average amongst public four-year colleges and universities, 20 percent of full-time students attend institutions that increased their tuition prices by 12 percent or more.

Slagle concluded, "With the growing student debt crisis, it is our responsibility as an educational institution to make certain that we are constantly reviewing and analyzing the impact that tuition has on future financial stability. We owe that to our students."

For more information on Rasmussen College and our Medical Administration program, visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

To view this release in full, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/press-release/2012-02-29/in-effort-to-make-college-more-affordable-rasmussen-college-reduces-tuition-in-medical-administration-program/.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
An innovator of higher education, Rasmussen College is a regionally-accredited, private college that specializes in offering the most in-demand degree programs in a highly supportive, student-centered educational environment.  Rasmussen College offers market-relevant programs from the certificate and diploma level through the associate's and bachelor's level online and across its 22 campuses in the Midwest and Florida to more than 15,000 students. By combining its expertise in career development with high academic standards and with unparalleled student support services, graduates of Rasmussen College leave with the most up-to-date knowledge, the skills that employers look for, and the tools to succeed in their chosen field.  Since 1900, the primary focus at Rasmussen College has remained constant: student achievement is of the utmost importance, the employer who hires its students continues to be a valued partner, and Rasmussen College is dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.

SOURCE Rasmussen College