How Much Is a Milligan Degree Worth?

How Much is a Milligan Degree Worth?

MILLIGAN COLLEGE- The cost of a four-year Milligan degree is around $116,680, not including scholarships, versus the $64,560 you would spend at a public four-year school, according to the “Trends in College Pricing” report recently released by the College Board. But under the tight economic conditions, students may be asking themselves “is it worth it?”

Because many people have lost their jobs, older, more experienced workers are taking entry-level jobs that graduates would normally fill.  Out of 216 graduates in the spring graduating class at Milligan, 172 graduates chose to go to graduate school or complete an internship instead of diving into the job market, according to the 2010 annual survey of graduates done Center for Calling and Career Exploration.

While the job market is tough, Milligan graduates may have an advantage with some local employers.

“When I see that an applicant has a Milligan degree, that automatically scores them an interview,“ said Danny O’Quinn, principal of Elizabethton High School.

School systems are the second largest employers of Milligan graduates so education majors may have a good chance of finding a job. O’Quinn and his team that hires teachers for the high school added six Milligan grads to their payroll this past year.

“I feel that Milligan graduates know what is expected of them and have the ability to handle their position,” said O’Quinn.

 Beth Anderson, director of calling and career exploration, teaches a Calling and Career class for all sophomores that help them achieve these skills.

“Most schools don’t require a class that teaches job skills and we really try to prepare students for the working world,” said Anderson.

According to the Calling and Career records, nursing graduates have proved to be the most successful in finding jobs. Mountain States Health Alliance is the number one employer of Milligan graduates.  MSHA not only hires nurses but have many different departments such as administration, clerical, and communications.

“I would be more likely to hire a Milligan graduate because I know the reputation of the school,” said James Watson, corporate director of public relations.

How to Land a Job

According to Beth Anderson, director of calling

and career exploration, these are some ways to

to find a job or be more prepared for the job market:

Find an internship

            Many companies feel like they are taking 
            less of a risk by hiring someone who is 
            already a part of their company

Get more experience

            Even if it is doing an internship for no 
            credit or volunteering in a company you 
            want to work in, any experience is better 
            than none at all.

Use Your Contacts

            If you have connections with anyone in your 
            career field, use them!  Word-of-mouth is
            sometimes the best way to get hired.