Newman University releases analysis showing its Pathmaker program enables students to complete a 120-credit bachelor's degree in three years at $19,000 annually, offering substantial savings compared to traditional four-year programs through project-based summer learning.
-- Newman University has released an analysis showing that students enrolled in its Pathmaker program can complete a bachelor's degree in three years at a flat rate of $19,000 annually, resulting in substantial savings compared to traditional four-year programs. According to the College Board, accelerated three-year degree programs can reduce total education costs significantly. The Pathmaker program delivers all 120 credit hours required for a bachelor's degree by incorporating project-based learning during summer sessions, allowing students to graduate a full year ahead of their peers without compromising academic rigor.
More information is available at https://newmanu.edu/pathmaker.
The analysis arrives as families nationwide confront escalating higher education expenses. Data shows that students attending public four-year in-state institutions face average costs of attendance of $27,146 per year, totaling $108,584 over four years, while private nonprofit university students pay $58,628 annually or $234,512 across a traditional degree timeline. These figures, which include tuition, fees, and living expenses for students living on campus, have intensified anxiety among prospective students and their families about college affordability and return on investment. Alden Stout, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Newman University, noted during a recent presentation that when students discuss their futures, excitement about hopes and dreams often shifts to anxiety when the conversation turns to college—concerns centered on cost, experience, and whether a degree will lead to meaningful employment.
Newman University reimagined its educational model specifically to address these affordability and value concerns, developing Pathmaker as an institutional response. The program combines three key innovations: completion of a full 120-credit-hour bachelor's degree in three years rather than four, customizable career-based degree pathways powered by an AI model that matches student interests with local job market demands, and hands-on project-based learning during summers that replaces traditional general education coursework. Students work with the AI tool and faculty advisors to design degrees aligned with their passions and career goals, drawing from Newman's full catalog of courses. Industry experts then review these customized pathways to ensure they develop skills employers actively seek, giving graduates a competitive advantage in the workforce.
Pathmaker students complete hands-on summer projects designed to develop critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, communication, and teamwork—competencies that employers consistently prioritize. Shannon Johnston, Assistant Professor of Art at Newman University and a faculty leader for the program, explained that students engage in real-world experiences on campus and in the community rather than sitting through traditional algebra classes. One example project involves designing an accessible playground component, which requires field-based research, communication with diverse communities to identify needs, creative and artistic design work, and quantitative reasoning for structural planning. Students tackle these challenges in teams, mirroring workplace dynamics and bridging the gap between academic learning and professional application while fulfilling the same learning outcomes as Newman's core curriculum.
Graduating one year earlier than peers provides significant financial advantages beyond tuition savings. Graduates of accelerated programs can enter the workforce sooner, potentially earning an extra $70,000 in the first year by securing competitive starting salaries while traditional four-year students complete their senior year. Pathmaker also offers an optional fourth-year master's degree in fields including biomedicine, business administration, data science, social work, or education. Students who pursue this option can earn master's-level credentials and command higher salaries while their peers at other institutions are just finishing bachelor's degrees, positioning Pathmaker graduates for accelerated career advancement and increased lifetime earnings.
Newman University designed Pathmaker to empower students with agency over their education, moving away from one-size-fits-all majors toward personalized pathways that reflect individual passions and career aspirations. The program represents a deliberate reimagining of higher education for 21st-century students, simultaneously addressing cost concerns, experiential learning preferences, workforce readiness, and personal agency. Prospective students and families can access the PathMaker GPT tool—a personalized degree planning assistant—and learn more about the program by visiting the university's dedicated Pathmaker page.
Additional information about Newman University is available at https://newmanu.edu/.
Contact Info:
Name: Clark Schafer
Email: Send Email
Organization: Newman University
Address: 3100 McCormick , Wichita, Kansas 67213, United States
Website: https://newmanu.edu/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89178536
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