The 5 Best Colleges for Parents Returning to School
Updated November 8, 2022 · 2 Min Read
Colleges for the Working Parent
Earning a degree can feel like a daunting prospect when trying to raise a family at the same time. Non-traditional students such as single or married parents with small children may benefit from some of the resources offered by these colleges. Below are the best colleges for parents returning to school; these schools have programs specifically designed to help parents achieve their academic goals.
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5 Best Colleges for Parents Returning to School
Commerce, Texas
Points: 16
Total Enrollment: 13,514
Tuition (Out-of-State): $19,990
Texas A&M University is nationally renowned higher education that welcomes students from all over the globe. A large institution, this school has five specialized degree areas that will foster long-term career prospects. Texas A&M welcomes non-traditional students, in particular, single parents going back to school for an advanced degree; the Children’s Learning Center is a celebrated program that allows student parents to offer their children the best possible care. This center is full of kid-friendly learning activities that include story time, pretend play, music, art, and other learning activities that are excellent for child development.
Berea, Ohio
Points: 16
Total Enrollment: 3,933
Tuition (Out-of-State): $30,776
Based in Ohio, Baldwin Wallace University is an excellent choice for single parents seeking support and resources to make higher education possible; Baldwin Wallace’s SPROUT program (Single Parents Reaching Out for Unlimited Tomorrows) works closely with single parents returning to college and seeking options for non-traditional students such a themselves. SPROUT has tuition subsidies, apartments specifically for the needs of single parents, work-study opportunities, and more. Baldwin Wallace University also provides career assistance with important tools such as resume-writing, internship placements, along with any other needs specific to the single parent student.
Provo, Utah
Points: 15
Total Enrollment: 34,240
Tuition (Out-of-State): $13,710
Brigham Young University of Utah is a large, well-established faith-based college sponsored by the Church of Latter Day Saints. Brigham has 178 undergraduate, 68 master’s, and 26 doctoral programs for a wide span of long-term career choices. For prospective or current single parents, BYU has Single Parent & Nontraditional Student scholarships that function to supplement tuition and living costs for those raising a family while earning a degree. Additionally, Brigham Young has on-site childcare assistance and housing specifically designated for single-parent families.
Amherst, Massachusetts
Points: 14
Total Enrollment: 34,240
Tuition (Out-of-State): $13,710
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is a respected, progressive college that has accolades and high rankings from numerous education publications. One of UMASS Amherst’s unique initiatives is the University Without Walls (UWW) program, which lends a great deal of degree flexibility to those who need it most; this program is especially fitting to non-traditional students who need to balance family or other commitments while earning a higher education. Parents returning to school have greatly benefited from UMASS Amherst’s UWW, as it provides them the opportunity to make raising children a priority while taking as many courses as is comfortable.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Points: 14
Tuition (Out-of-State): $45,410
The University of Michigan is a prestigious midwestern institution with 19 specialized schools in which to earn your degree; from medicine to engineering to the performing arts, UM offers multiple incentives for non-traditional students and parents returning to college. The Kids Kare offering at UM is a reliable contingency plan when a student’s child gets ill and need a last-minute caretaker. Additionally, the Students with Children portal provides a wealth of information and assistance with regard to health insurance, social support, housing, and other offerings.
The preceding ranking represents the 5 best colleges for parents returning to school.