At Peirce, we firmly believe in providing students of all
ages and backgrounds with access to higher education. Last week, our mission received
national attention when the College was ranked first in the nation by U.S. News
& World Report for having the highest percentage of minority-students enrolled
in an online bachelor’s degree program!
In a June 16th analysis of data from nearly 300
colleges and universities, Peirce tops the chart with 76 percent of students
pursuing online coursework reporting to be either Hispanic, black, indigenous,
Asian, Polynesian or multiracial.
Peirce College’s large population of minority online
undergraduates counters the national trend. A recent
study by Aslanian Market Research and The Learning House, Inc. says nearly
70 percent of the nation’s online students are white.
“Peirce College has embraced diversity and inclusion and is
committed to creating an environment that provides access to employer-valued
education for all students,” said President James J. Mergiotti. “Our interchangeable course delivery format
eliminates many of the obstacles faced by adult learners, allowing students of
all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential and be successful in the
workplace.”
Peirce is fully committed to breaking down barriers toward
degree completion for all students. As we
mentioned in March beginning this fall with four of our health programs
and our graduate studies program, and then rolling out across the rest of the
curriculum over the next year, Peirce students can decide
from week to week whether to attend their classes in person or online as
part of the College’s unique flexible delivery format. Peirce is the first
institution in the Philadelphia region – and among the first in the nation – to
roll out this adaptable environment over its entire curriculum.
As a major supporter of Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s education
efforts, we were also one of the first schools in the region to participate in
the Returning to Learning Partnership program, providing City of Philadelphia
employees and their families with a 25% tuition discount. By partnering with
major local employers, the College plays a large role in training the region’s
workforce and positively impacting the local economy.
“Peirce College has long served the diverse needs of its
students, no matter their race, age or background. With flexible degree programs focused on
meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce, Peirce prepares
Philadelphians for future careers,” said Mayor Nutter. “I want to thank Peirce College for
supporting its students throughout the post-secondary learning process, both in
class and online, especially minority students who are frequently underserved.”