Feb 11 2025 33 mins 1
Dale Leatherwood shares little known strategies to help traditional and non-traditional students obtain a college degree faster and cheaper. You can graduate from college with zero debt, or if you get a loan, it should be like a car payment, not a house payment. Dale is a leader in higher education. He is the chief marketing officer at Columbia Southern University and the co-founder of an education concierge firm. You can reach Dale through LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/daleleatherwood/
Some of the highlights Dale shares:
- More than 42 million Americans have some college credit, but haven't earned a college degree
- Now is the best time to finish college and get a diploma - there are so many options!
- How to graduate from college with zero debt
- Understanding how to use all the educational resources available such as: transfer credit, CLEP tests, prior learning assessments, 3rd party online credit providers, etc.
- Finding flexible and attainable options
- If you require a school loan, it should be like a car payment, not a house payment
- Advice for non-traditional students
- How to get work experience and training evaluated for possible college credit
- How to finish what you started
- How to save time and money
- How to protect yourself from disappointment by getting it in writing
- Education can be the "tie breaker" that helps you accelerate your career
- Learning to move forward in small, attainable steps
- How to encapsulate former classes and experience into a certificate or Associate Degree
- Creating a game plan that works for you
- How to adapt education to meet your life
- Learn about tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement
- What is your objective?
- Understanding the difference between Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Classes
- And more
Disclaimers:
Statement: “CSU ranks in the top 1% of schools for affordability.”
Disclaimer: Based on tuition and fees compared to 4-year U.S. Colleges with largest fully-distance enrollment (IPEDS 2022 Fall Enrollment Survey)
Statement: Any mention of transfer credits and evaluating experience for credit
Disclaimer: Pending Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process. Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation.
Statement: “…nearly 2/3 of our recent graduates finish their degrees with zero (student loan) debt.”
Disclaimer: Data calculated from internal Columbia Southern University financial data, based on 65.1% with zero student loan debt from the graduating classes of 2021–2023
Statement: Any statement involving career advancement or student outcomes.
Disclaimer: Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
