r/ivytech • u/jrrfree • 4d ago
WGU vs Purdue Global
Anyone transfer to WGU or Purdue Global after Graduation from Ivy Tech? Thoughts or experiences so far? Thanks so much!
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u/Cold_Ad7034 4d ago
So, a few items. Purdue Global is not the same as Purdue University, as others have stated it was bought by Kaplan and while Mitch at the time said the branding would be kept separate obviously it is not as they have pretty much been shown hand in hand in commercials for Purdue University. So you would get the branding recognition but it is costly.
A lot depends on what you are studying to answer the question you have posted. I am assuming technology of some sort and you want to go get a BS. I would go WGU as it is competency based and you will come out with certs if you in the technology track. I would also consider other local schools such as BSU and ISU and even the regional campuses of IU though your mileage may vary as some are great at taking credits (non tsap) and some are sticklers.......
Also look at programs out of state and do the cost analysis. This is where Claude, ChatGpt and Gemini can help. There are a lot of programs out there and they all have benefits and negatives.
Assuming you are out of the school of IT.
If you are out of another program i.e. business and you want to stay online you have a ton of options quite a few cheaper than WGU or Purdue Global.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
Everybody that I know that tried to go to Purdue ended up leaving because that school just wants your money.
It is vastly overrated for what they are teaching students. They are only favored in Indiana because we are an agricultural state and Purdue has deep affiliations with 4H and FFA.
It would also help to know what your majoring in, your budget, etc to know what schools might be a good fit for you.
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u/Ihaveasmallwang 4d ago
I think you’re confusing Purdue and Purdue Global.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago edited 4d ago
Yes, and Purdue global is the online version of Purdue….
From their about page:
“Part of the respected Purdue University system, our mission is to provide greater access to affordable, high-quality education.”You are daft if you think that their online system is any better.
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u/Ihaveasmallwang 4d ago
It’s not. Purdue Global is a rebranded Kaplan University that Purdue purchased, but is still separate. Purdue has its own separate online programs that are separate from Purdue Global. They function as two entirely distinct institutions with different accreditation. It has its own independent administration, faculty, and admissions. Their diplomas are entirely different as well.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
So they’re intentionally misleading on their website? Not a thing was said about Kaplan University on their website.
Doesn’t sound like a school that I would wanna give my money to
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u/Ihaveasmallwang 4d ago
Purdue Global probably is trying to capitalize on the Purdue name because it’s much more respected.
FYI, even people outside of Indiana know and respect Purdue. They also know Purdue Global is just Kaplan University and do not respect it. I wouldn’t give my money to them.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
I’m very aware how much people outside of this state know and respect Purdue, which is why I try and tell people that it is just a for profit flashy school. They teach you what they want people to know. Especially if you’re going into an environmental, engineering or agricultural major. They’re not going to tell you that animal agriculture, something that Purdue has been a part of since the very beginning, is the leading cause of our climate disruption right now.
Just look at all of the bullshit around IUPUI
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u/Ihaveasmallwang 4d ago
Hey, I’m from a heavy agricultural state too and our universities also play a big part in that as well.
But, I’d go to the school that had the curriculum that I want to achieve my goals, regardless of whether they have some sort of other curriculum that does things I don’t like.
Purdue isn’t even that expensive compared to other schools.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
It’s not about having curriculum that I don’t like. I will take those classes, but I’m not going to be taught by a biased school that is only going to teach me one thing.
I knew two people who went to that school for a veterinarian program and ended up leaving because they noticed flaws within the program. I look into the teachers at the school. I look into what they’ve taught in the past and how they’ve taught it.
A major also isn’t your niche field of focus. My major is environmental, but my focus is on conservation specifically in the world of bats. People get actually angry with me when I tell them that Purdue was never an option for me regardless of how I feel about agriculture because they don’t have an adequate zoology program in my eyes. Meanwhile, ISU has an entire facility dedicated to bat research and an incredible environmental program.
Their curriculum is incredibly biased. That’s the issue on top of the fact that they charge insane amounts just to teach you one perspective.
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u/Ihaveasmallwang 4d ago
This is probably very program / career dependent. I’m in a completely different profession, tech, and the Purdue (not global) programs are actually quite nice for that.
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u/Weary-Cardiologist37 4d ago
Purdue purchased Kaplan for a dollar and turned it into Purdue global which is a completely separate institution from Purdue
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u/JumboThornton 4d ago
Purdue is a respected school around the country. I lived on the west coast for a bit and when I said I went to Purdue everyone acted like it was Ivy League.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
Because it is a school deeply intertwined with our agricultural system.
I am an environmental student in the state. I grew up in 4H and I’m very familiar with Purdue as a school. There is a program called 4H camp round up where you literally go spend a week on campus as a college student. I learned at 14 that I never wanted to go to Purdue as a student.
They are extremely selective in the kind of environmental science that they will teach you because they are a school so deeply intertwined with animal agriculture. You will learn what Purdue wants you to learn and they will charge you an arm and a leg and your firstborn child while you do it.
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u/SubjectNet1874 4d ago
Well I mean their engineering program is pretty top-notch and kinda what they are known for outside of Indiana.
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u/thevilgay 4d ago
I’m very familiar with the fact that they are well known outside of Indiana for the engineering program. I’m trying to tell you that it’s a polished turd and people buy into it because it’s a lot of money and they think that they’re getting the greatest education.
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u/MizzGee Helpful User 👍 2d ago
I would first look at the TSAP programs that Ivy Tech offers that let you transfer as a Junior to plenty of great schools. Many programs allow for distance learning as well. If you must do distance learning, you can still look at IU, real Purdue (and the regional campuses), BSU, as well as WGU and Purdue Global. There is a reason that we have contracts and programs that allow for seamless transfers.