Alternative universities in Clark County

For many working adults and those between jobs during a ragged economy, alternative universities are a critical learning option.

There’s been tremendous growth nationwide in students and federal grant dollars flowing to private, for-profit colleges that offer mostly online instruction. Riding the wave are Vancouver branches of City University, the University of Phoenix and Everest College. All three are private institutions with locations across the country. Both City University and the University of Phoenix moved into new facilities earlier this decade.

Starting in 2009, the Montgomery G.I. Bill gives significant tuition discounts to active and reserve military service members, who can benefit greatly from online options given their high mobility.

• City University of Seattle

12500 S.E. Second Circle, Suite 200, Vancouver.

Information: 360-449-6700, http://www.cityu.edu/locations/vancouverwa.htm.

Just north of Mill Plain Boulevard in Cascade Park, the Vancouver branch had 420 students enrolled in late 2009. The branch has several degree programs and professional-advancement courses for educators. Its online business program offers distance-learning opportunities ranging from bachelor’s degrees in business administration up to MBAs. Regular tuition ranges from $250 to about $656 per credit, for undergraduate to graduate certification or degree courses.

• University of Phoenix

500 Broadway, Suite 200, Vancouver.

Information: 360-993-7800, http://www.phoenix.edu.

The downtown Vancouver site is among five Portland-Vancouver metro-area University of Phoenix campuses that serve about 2,000 students in online degree programs and flexible-schedule coursework. Options range all the way from an associate degree to a doctoral degree. The Vancouver campus offers classroom learning for a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business management and business administration, respectively. At campuses in the metro area, additional fields of study are: arts and sciences (including communications); criminal justice and security; education; health care; human services; nursing; psychology; and technology. In early 2011, undergraduate tuition ranged from $415 to $550 per semester credit; graduate tuition ranged from $565 to $685 per credit.

• Everest College

120 N.E. 136th Ave., Suite 130/220, Vancouver.

Information: http://www.everest.edu, 888-741-4270 or 360-254-3282.

East Vancouver is home to the Everest College campus in Clark County. The branch has degree and/or certification programs including accounting, business administration, executive assistant, medical assisting, medical billing and coding and paralegal. The school also offers several massage therapy programs. Tuition starts at $327 per credit; day and night school classes are available. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Job placement help is also available to graduates. There are also Everest campuses in downtown Portland and Tigard, Ore.