The American College of Education (ACE) was established in 2005, starting with just 25 schoolteachers from Chicago and a vision that many deemed unrealistic: to offer high-quality, flexible, and affordable master’s degrees without depending on federal student loans. Now, as ACE nears its 20th anniversary, that seemingly impossible goal has turned out to be a successful approach. The original class of 25 has expanded to include 11,000 current students and 44,000 graduates. Remarkably, over 86% of students pay for their education as they go, graduating without any debt. ACE continues to operate without accepting federal Title IV loans and has maintained the same tuition rates since 2016.
“We say, ‘Founded by teachers, for teachers,’ because the original idea was how to create an affordable master’s degree for teachers, so they would not have to go into debt. That founding vision, and our dedication to quality, affordability and accessibility, has shaped the trajectory of the institution,” said Geordie Hyland, ACE’s president and CEO.
From the very beginning, ACE made the decision to forgo Title IV loans, despite being fully accredited and eligible to accept them. This choice aimed to lower operational costs and minimize the financial burden on students. In 2016, ACE took its commitment to social responsibility a step further by becoming certified as a B Corporation, emphasizing its dedication to making a positive impact through its business practices.
Currently, ACE provides a range of academic offerings, including certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fields like education, nursing, healthcare, and business. All programs are accredited by reputable organizations, such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The affordability of these programs stands out as well, with master’s degrees priced under $10,000 and doctoral degrees under $24,000.
“We base every decision on how it affects the value proposition for students,” Hyland said. “Our appeal is that we’re high-quality, we’re affordable and we’re flexible. You can keep your job as a teacher, a nurse, or a business or healthcare professional as you study with us. You can pay for your degree month by month, and you can receive a huge value proposition when you attain your degree.”
A recent independent study conducted by economists at the labor market analysis firm Lightcast sheds light on the value of investing in an ACE education. For every dollar that graduates put into ACE, they can expect to earn a remarkable $19.20 in future career earnings. Furthermore, ACE graduates report an average salary increase of over $21,000 upon completing their program.
This low-debt, high-return model stands in stark contrast to troubling findings from a recent Georgetown University study, which highlighted that the rising costs of graduate degrees are diminishing the earnings boost they typically offer. Between 2000 and 2020, net tuition tripled, and student debt soared by more than 50%. According to federal Education Department data, the average master’s student graduates with about $65,000 in debt, while their doctoral counterparts often leave with around $90,000 in debt.
“Avoiding high debt and having practical, relevant, quality online coursework and instruction is crucial for the typical ACE student, who is in their mid-30s with a family and a full-time job,” Hyland said.
“Many teachers and nurses do not pursue a degree that requires them to take time off work or even to drive hours to a physical classroom after work hours,” he said. “And there’s a massive difference in the value of your salary adjustment if you take on $60,000 of debt versus coming out with no debt. That salary adjustment is life-changing – it impacts your income every year and it also flows through to your pension.”
ACE is dedicated to supporting early- and mid-career learners by acknowledging academic credit for their prior learning and professional development. The institution carefully evaluates students’ work experiences, utilizing industry best practices and accepted models to award appropriate credit. This approach can significantly shorten the time needed to complete programs and lower tuition costs for students.
One key aspect of ACE’s philosophy is the collaboration with employers, showcasing how providing value to students also benefits their organizations and sectors. As school districts and healthcare systems face challenges in attracting and retaining skilled employees, ACE tailors educational and healthcare solutions to meet employers’ specific needs, ultimately strengthening their workforce. These solutions assist employers in recruiting, retaining, and upskilling their staff by creating accessible career pathways that enable employees to advance into roles with greater responsibility and higher pay.
Hyland cited the example of working with a school district. “ACE can take a paraprofessional all the way to superintendent,” he said. “If you can convey these career pathways to your current and prospective teachers, and cover the costs of their professional development and degrees, you can really help bring people into your organization and keep them, and it’s cost-effective to help them get ahead.”
That’s particularly important in vital professions like teaching and nursing, where salary progression can be critical to ensuring that they are desirable occupations. “One of the challenges with these careers is the salary expectations,” Hyland said. “Working with ACE, you can create a career pathway where you can show employees that over time, they can have an impactful, engaging career and also increase their earnings and expand their opportunities.”
With two decades of successful student outcomes, ACE showcases a strong history of student achievement and satisfaction, as evidenced in its comprehensive Student Right to Know report. For further details about ACE’s online degree offerings, please check out ace.edu.
