Earning a college degree has long been part of the American dream, but today parents and students are questioning whether the dream is still alive.

A 2024 Pew Research study revealed a dramatic shift in perceived value relative to recent decades:

The cost of getting a college degree today is:

• Not worth it: 29%
• Worth it, but only without taking out loans: 47%
• Worth it, even with loans: 22%

The fact that less than a quarter of Americans believe a college degree is worth the cost may sound shocking until you look at the numbers. Not adjusted for inflation, tuition and fees at national private, in-state and out-of-state universities have risen well over 100% over the last 20 years.

On top of the rising costs, students graduate with little to no real-world experience, making it difficult to find a high-paying job.

Clarke College is fixing the broken degree

At Clarke College, we believe that a degree should be both affordable and flexible, without sacrificing quality and accreditation.

Our mission is to re-invent the Computer Science degree, offering students a proven pathway into a career that shapes the future of technology—all at an accessible cost.

Affordable quality

Most colleges and universities carry significant overhead from tenured professors (many of whom don't teach), as well as expensive facilities and the staff required to maintain them.

Clarke College offers an entire degree for the same price as a single year at other schools. Here's how we do it:

• We are a 100% online program with a hybrid classroom experience (some courses are live, others are asynchronous projects with feedback from professional mentors)
• We partner with top institutions like Flatiron School to license proven curriculum from top teachers, update it constantly, and develop new material as needed
• We specialize in a specific area of study: Computer Science with specializations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science

International accreditation, real-world mentorship

A degree from Clarke College is fully accredited through Woolf University and recognized internationally in over 60 countries. Woolf maintains extremely high standards of excellence, giving Clarke students full confidence that they are earning a respected bachelor's degree.

Working mentors

Clarke College pairs students with real-world mentors who are practicing in industry. This ensures that students immediately see the practical application of what they are learning from someone working in technology.

Practical flexibility

Clarke's program is intentionally designed to ensure students have a flexible schedule. After starting out with a full-time, immersive experience, students have the ability to work part-time or join an apprenticeship program, giving them the ability to earn money and graduate debt free or gain valuable, real-world experience before they graduate.

Apply to Clarke College today

Applications are currently open for the following start dates:

• Fall 2025 - Starts September 2, 2025
• Winter 2026 - Starts January 5, 2026
• Summer 2026 - Starts June 1, 2026

Submit your application and connect with our admissions team.