We have listed the twenty worst colleges in the United States of America and why should not attend these institutions.
The United States of America has some of the best colleges and universities in the world. Each year, thousands of international students travel to North America to study at these colleges and universities.
Some international students study in colleges in Canada and most of the students come to the United States. The United States is home to Ivy League Schools, but there are colleges and universities in the country that are considered the worst schools to attend.
When it’s time to attend college after completing high school, there are several things you should consider. Firstly, you need to consider the standard of education at a college or university, before applying. It’s also important you consider the graduation rate and graduate employment rate of a college or university before you apply.
In my opinion, there are colleges you should avoid irrespective of their acceptance rate, location, and affordability. Attending a college or university because of these reasons and after graduation, you can’t get a job is meaningless.
You should also check the average student debt and overall ranking of a college or university before applying. Well, to help you identify the worst colleges in the United States of America, check out our list.
In this guide, you will discover the twenty worst colleges in America and why you should not attend these colleges.
Why Is a College Considered Worst to Attend?
An accredited college or university should be able to offer standard education and provide resources for its students. The graduation rate of a college or university should be above 60% and nothing less. Well, the worst colleges in America have a graduation rate below 60% and that is something you should concern about.
A college should meet the expectation of specific standards. Colleges that fail to measure up were included in the Washington Monthly. Whether private or public, a college with a low graduation rate and graduate employment rate is considered the worst for students to attend.
Also Read: 33 South Carolina Universities and Ranking
How Can I Avoid Attending These Colleges?
In my opinion, before you apply to any college or university whether private or public, do your research. Find out about the college or university you want to attend before submitting your application.
Every college and university in the United States has an official website, so try to visit your preferred institution’s website to get valuable information.
However, we will be showing you the twenty worst colleges in America so you can identify some of these colleges.
20 Worst Colleges in America
Here are the twenty worst colleges in the United States of America and why you should avoid applying to these colleges.
#20. University of Montevallo
Established in 1896, the University of Montevallo is a public university located in Montevallo, Alabama.
The University of Montevallo currently has a student enrolment of 2,600. The university is the state’s only public liberal arts college and is also a member of the council of public liberal arts colleges.
Presently, the graduation at the University of Montevallo is 49% with an acceptance rate of 61%. This means that the university accepts more than half of its applicants and less than 50% of students graduate.
Graduates of this university have average debts of over $25,000 with a median starting income of $38300. The annual cost for students who are residents of the state is $22,000 and $35,000 for out-of-state students.
#19. The University of South Carolina at Aiken
Here we have another public university with an acceptance rate above 50% and a graduation rate of 40%.
The University of South Carolina at Aiken is a public institution with a student enrolment of 3,280. This public university is located in Aiken South Carolina and it’s also part of the University of South Carolina System.
Presently, the graduation rate at the University of South Carolina is 40%. The median starting income for graduates at USC Aiken is $41,000 with an annual cost of $18,500.
Students at the University of South Carolina at Aiken complain about the lack of activity in the community. They also complain about their chances of getting a job after graduation as the community is a bit isolated and filled with retired citizens.
#18. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a graduation rate of 86%. The institution has a strict policy that subdues free speech.
Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are not allowed to hand out flyers on campus. They must gain the authority of the school before passing out buttons or flyers on campus sidewalks.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is known to punish students who talk to the media about their strict policies. Don’t be convinced by the graduation rate at this school, it’s one of the worst schools to attend.
#17. Florida Memorial University
Florida Memorial University was established in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak, Florida. The private historically black university is currently located in Miami, Florida.
The university currently has a student enrollment of 1,800 and a graduation rate of 32%. Students attending this university pay an average of over $22,000 a year and accumulate an average student debt of more than $30,000 after graduation.
#16. Grambling State University
Grambling State University is among the worst colleges in America. Established in 1901, the university is a public institution in Grambling, Louisiana.
The Louisiana-based University has a graduation rate of 37% and a student enrolment of over 5,000. The cost of attendance at Grambling State University is $17,489.
Students who graduate from Grambling State University average debt of over $25,000. The median starting income for students of the university who were employed after graduation is about $43,000.
#15. Columbia College Hollywood
Next on our list of worst colleges in America is Columbia College Hollywood. Established in 1952, Columbia College Hollywood is a private institution in Los Angeles, California.
Unlike Grambling State University, Columbia College Hollywood is a film school. Students at Columbia College Hollywood accumulate a large debt upon graduation. The loan default rate at Columbia College Hollywood is higher and students who graduate find it difficult to gain employment.
#14. St Augustine’s University
St Augustine’s University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The university’s graduation rate is approximately 28% and students who graduate from this school accumulate a debt of over $22,000.
The graduate employment rate of St Augustine’s University is low and those who graduate are unable to repay their loans.
Also Read: 25 Cheapest Universities in USA for International Students
#13. California State University Los Angeles
California State University Los Angeles is one of the worst colleges in the United States of America.
In recent times, there have been reports about this school and their policies on free speech. The report talks about the administration imposing a tax on controversial speech.
#12. Black Hills State University
Black Hills State University was listed as the 12th worst university in the United States because of its negative return on investment of -$24,000.
The cost of attendance at Black Hills State University is pretty expensive. The cost to obtain a bachelor’s degree at Black Hills State University is $72,400. Students who graduate from Black Hills State University accumulate a loan debt of over $25,000 on average.
#11. Nazarene Bible College
Founded in 1964 and chartered in 1967, Nazarene Bible College is a private Nazarene bible college in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
As a Nazarene bible college, the institution has a student enrolment of over 1,300. The graduation rate at Nazarene Bible College is 14% and as of the time of writing this article, the acceptance rate of this college is unknown.
Nazarene Bible College is the perfect college for you if you are interested in obtaining a degree in Philosophy. However, graduates of Nazarene Bible College struggle to get teaching jobs as college instructors in the field of Philosophy.
#10. Mt. Sierra College
Mt. Sierra College is next on our list of worst colleges in America. The institution was located in Monrovia, California. “Was” because Mt. Sierra College closed on June 24th 2019.
The college existed for twenty-nine years and as of 2019, about 200 to 500 students were enrolled in the school.
#9. California State University at Long Beach
Here, we have another California State University on our list of worst colleges in America.
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus among the 23 schools in the California State University System. The university has been included in our list because it refused to allow free expression about race.
At California State University, Long Beach, students are not allowed to make statements against racial discrimination. Because of this, California State University, Long Beach is included in our list for not allowing free speech.
#8. Georgetown University
Located in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington D.C, Georgetown University is a private research institution established in 1789.
The university is one of the most selective in the United States and it’s included in our list of worst colleges.
Georgetown University is one of the finest private institutions in the United States. Currently, Georgetown University has a graduation rate of 94% and they offer the best courses in law and health sciences.
Just like California State University Long Beach, Georgetown University also denied students the right to free speech. The university stopped students who wanted to campaign for American politician Bernie Sanders.
Georgetown University claimed they had to stop the students because of their tax-exempt status.
#7. Stratford University
Stratford University was a private university established in 1976 and closed on September 26th 2022.
The university had a graduation rate of 29% and an average tuition of $25,000. Before closing down, Stratford University offered a part-time program to students.
Also Read: 10 Scholarships for Black Women
#6. University of the District of Columbia
Founded in 1851, the University of the District of Columbia is a public historically black university in Washington D.C.
As of the fall of 2018, the University of the District of Columbia has a student enrolment of over 3,700. The acceptance rate at the University of the District of Columbia is unknown, but the graduation rate at the school is 10%.
The cost to attend this university is $23,000 for in-state students and $29,000 for out-of-state students. Students who graduate from the University of the District of Columbia average debt of over $22,000.
#5. Shaw University
Shaw University is among the worst colleges in America. The university is a private Baptist historically black university located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The graduation rate at Shaw University is just 15%. The median starting income for graduates of Shaw University is $36,900 a year. Students graduate with an average debt of $28,000 and the cost to attend Shaw University is over $24,000.
#4. Fayetteville State University
Here is another public historically black university located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. This university was established in 1867 and as of the fall of 2017 had a student enrolment of 6,000.
The graduation rate at Fayetteville State University is currently 51% and the median starting income for graduates is $38,000.
#3. Lindsey Wilson College
Established in 1903, Lindsey Wilson College is a private college in Columbia, Kentucky. The college has a graduation rate of 37% and the average cost of attendance is over $34,000.
Those who graduate from this college have a median starting income of $38,000 and a student debt average of $21,000.
#2. Morris College
Another Baptist historically black college on our list is Morris College. The college is located in Sumter, South Carolina and has a graduation rate of 30%.
The annual cost of attendance at Morris College is below $20,000 and students who graduate from the college with an average debt of $26,000.
#1. DeVry University
DeVry University completes our list of worst colleges in America. The university is a private for-profit institution with headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. The university’s campuses are also located throughout the United States.
Students who graduate from this university average debt of $43,000. DeVry University has a low graduation rate and they have also been sued by the Federal Trade Commission.
This is one of the worst colleges in America and you should avoid attending this school.
Conclusion
Now you know the worst colleges in the United States of America and why you should avoid these colleges.
Hope this article about the twenty worst colleges in the United States was helpful.
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