Press Releases

Smart, Inexpensive Way to Earn College Credit Proves Popular with Adult Learners

10/14/03

New York, NY -- It's the higher education equivalent of the "perfect storm" -- students of all ages are seeking more education to help them weather the economic downturn at the exact time tight state budgets are forcing colleges to increase tuition and cut back on financial aid. But help is available, according to the College Board, through CLEP, the College-Level Examination Program® that saves students both time and money.

CLEP, which has seen a nearly 20 percent increase in exams administered through college test centers, provides thousands of students with a unique opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of rigorous exams in introductory undergraduate college subjects. The 34 CLEP exams range in subject from English Composition to U.S. History, and include Biology and Spanish, among others.

James Ownby, 34, of Dunwoody, Georgia, is a victim of the high-tech bust who used CLEP to advance himself. For 10 years, Ownby enjoyed a successful career with a Fortune 500 company even though he had never earned an undergraduate degree. But as the recession began in 2001, his employer cited his lack of a degree as the reason he was chosen for termination. "Time was of the essence in getting a degree because my severance package wasn't that large. Also, in the computer industry, it's crucial that you don't stay away for any length of time so your skills don't become outdated." Ownby earned 35 credits and estimates he saved $16,000 through CLEP. As a result of CLEP, he was able to finish a four-year degree program in 18 months. "The CLEP exams are rigorous and challenging, but I recommend them to other professionals who may find themselves in my situation."

"We believe one of the reasons we are seeing a higher level of interest in CLEP is because adult students want to bolster their educations during this economic downturn," said Fred Dietrich, senior vice president of Higher Education and Operations at the College Board. "The increase of nearly 20 percent in CLEP exams occurred during the 2002-03 academic year. Fifty-five percent of the 2002-03 test-takers were 23 years old or over and nearly one-quarter were 36 years old or over. As students head back to the classroom this fall, we are preparing for even more interest."

CLEP also attributes the increased interest to its new computerized-testing service that provides instant score results, and to incoming freshmen who want to earn college credit in a cost-effective manner.

CLEP gave 27-year-old Jackie Kim of Closter, New Jersey, the boost she needed to graduate from New York University with a bachelor of science degree earlier this year. Kim returned to school two years ago because she felt her job chances were being hurt by her lack of an undergraduate degree. "My goals were to get a degree as quickly and economically as possible and CLEP helped me do that. I earned 44 credit hours at NYU and saved $33,000 in tuition costs through CLEP. Because I finished early, I was able to start my job search that much sooner."

CLEP also appeals to students who are beginning second careers. Olga Karlatos Rankin was an actor on Broadway when she decided, at age 55, to return to the classroom for a bachelor's degree specializing in International Studies. She passed five CLEP exams that she says saved her nearly $25,000 in tuition costs. "I always wanted to return to school but never had the chance. CLEP gave me the opportunity to earn credit for all the things I had learned throughout my life so I could spend time concentrating on the essentials I needed from higher education."

There are 2,900 colleges that grant credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams. A student considering taking a CLEP exam should first check with the college's admissions, counseling, or testing office to learn more about its CLEP policy and how much credit a student can earn through CLEP.

More than 600 college faculty members are involved in developing and setting the standard for CLEP examinations, which are administered at test centers at universities throughout the United States. In addition to a thorough development process, the American Council on Education (ACE) reviews CLEP exams. During the most recent evaluation in August 2002, ACE found that the content validity and technical adequacy of the CLEP examinations met or exceeded ACE standards.

Visit CLEP at collegeboard.com.

Editor's note: The CLEP students quoted in this release, as well as other CLEP students, are available to speak with reporters about their experiences. Contact the College Board to arrange interviews.

For more information, contact Kristin Carnahan at (212) 713-8052.