At Stevens-Henager College (SHC), the curriculum is career-focused. Flexible scheduling allows for day, evening, or online options, so students can balance their responsibilities outside of school. New classes begin every month at the seven locations in Utah and Idaho. Associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees are offered across a wide range of practical fields.
What is Stevens-Henager College Known For?
Stevens-Henager College, one of Utah’s oldest institutions, was renowned for its commitment to providing quality education since its inception in September 1891. Founded by James Ayers Smith and focused on teaching commercial subjects, the college quickly gained prominence for its success in placing graduates in various business positions.
In addition to its historical legacy, the college was also known as Independence University, reflecting its status as an online institution with a physical campus. What set Stevens-Henager apart was its dedication to offering personalized education, with a unique blend of 100% online learning and intimate, in-person educational experiences, ensuring that students received tailored support and guidance throughout their academic journey. However, the school has since closed.
Who owns Stevens-Henager College?
Stevens-Henager College was previously owned by the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for free-market principles within higher education. As a nonprofit, the institution operated to educate the public about the state of higher education in America and empower donors to promote excellence in education through philanthropy. Through its ownership under this organization, Stevens-Henager College aimed to uphold principles of transparency, accountability, and innovation in its educational offerings, aligning with the broader vision of fostering academic excellence in higher education.
Stevens-Henager College was accredited by reputable bodies such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which the US Department of Education recognizes.
The institution additionally held programmatic accreditation: its Medical Specialties Program had certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (CRB-AAMAE).
Furthermore, accreditation for its Surgical Technology Program and Respiratory Therapy Program was recommended by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology (ARC-ST) and the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), respectively.
Is Stevens-Henager College Worth It?
Stevens-Henager College offers students an exceptional blend of career and academic services and the flexibility of distance learning. While offering the advantages of a traditional on-ground university, it provided the freedom and support characteristic of a distance learning institution.
What truly set it apart was its focus on preparing students for success through the guidance of industry insiders and instructors who were professionals with extensive hands-on experience in their respective fields. The college’s degrees were meticulously designed to align with employment opportunities, and students benefited from highly personalized support and a nationwide professional network of over 500 businesses and organizations.
With opportunities for student externships, clinical sites, and comprehensive employment assistance for current graduates, Stevens-Henager College ensured that students were well-equipped to embark on successful careers.
Stevens-Henager College vs. Community College
Stevens-Henager College stood as a superior choice to community colleges due to its commitment to providing exceptional faculty, both online and in-person, fostering a vibrant community to enrich students’ educational experiences. The institution’s “high-touch” approach ensured personal involvement through dedicated success teams, ready to mentor students at every step of their academic journey.
Offering a comprehensive array of support services, including tutoring, academic advising, career assistance, and financial planning, the college prioritized its students’ holistic development and success. Moreover, the flexibility of remote learning allowed students to study at their own pace and convenience, with resources available round-the-clock.
With the option to complete degrees in as few as 19 months and new classes starting monthly, Stevens-Henager College provided a streamlined and efficient path to academic achievement, setting it apart as an ideal choice for ambitious learners seeking a flexible yet comprehensive educational experience.
Acceptance Rate
Stevens-Henager College had an acceptance rate of 100%.
Cost Per Year
Tuition for full-time students at Stevens-Henager College costs up to $16,600 a year. The institution offered financial aid in the form of federal loans and grants, as well as veterans’ benefits.
School Catalog
A copy of the most recent school catalog can be found here.
Class Schedules
Stevens-Henager College provided flexible class scheduling options, offering both day and evening classes to accommodate diverse student needs, along with convenient online and distance learning opportunities for those seeking greater flexibility in their education.
School Hours
Stevens-Henager College’s primary campus and offices were open from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Online resources and coursework were available to students 24/7.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business Administration
Graphics, Design, and Arts
- Graphic Design
Healthcare
- Medical Assisting
- Nursing
- Public Health
Computer and Information Technology
- Cybersecurity
- Mobile App Development
- Networking
- Software Development
- Web Development
Campus Locations
Boise, ID 1444 South Entertainment Ave., Boise, ID 83709
Idaho Falls, ID 901 Pier View Dr., Ste #105, Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Logan, UT 755 South Main St., Logan, UT 84321
Murray, UT 383 West Vine St., Murray, UT 84123
Orem, UT 1476 South Sandhill Rd., Orem, UT 84058
St. George, UT 1568 South River Rd., Ste #200, St. George, UT 84790
West Haven, UT 1890 South 1350 West, West Haven, UT 84401
Financial Aid Services
Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward qualifying for aid. Federal, state, and institutional funding is available. Each SHC enrollee gets a customized financial plan which lists all of the assistance they may receive. Scholarship and grant awards are based on merit, occupation, and previous coursework.
Student Services
After tuition, there are no fees or additional costs. Textbooks, parking, and supplies are all included. New attendees get a laptop to use and are able to keep it upon graduation. A convenient web portal offers research tools and access to faculty. Many programs at Stevens-Henager College take about 20 months to finish so that graduates can enter the job market faster.
Career Services
Each new student gets a personal advisor. Staff members help them search for jobs, write resumes, and prepare for interviews. The school regularly holds career fairs and seminars. Through a large network of businesses, SHC grads can often find work. Alumni continue to take advantage of these services after finishing a degree.
Veteran and Military Services
Veterans and active duty service members are eligible for several forms of aid. Specialized military planners will make sure applicants have their educational costs covered. Benefits may include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, or Vocational Rehabilitation. Military spouses could receive support at Stevens-Henager College as well.
Reviews
Based on Google reviews provided, Stevens-Henager College, including the Idaho Falls campus, is permanently closed. The parent company, the Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE), ceased operations and the school closed abruptly in August 2021. The information below is based on past Google reviews, which reflect the reasons for its closure, including widespread issues with its for-profit model and accreditation.
Overall Score: 3.3/5 Stars
Common Praises
Positive Learning Environment: Older, positive reviews (from 5-8 years ago) praised the teachers and faculty as helpful and friendly.
Small Class Sizes: Students who had a positive experience often cited small class numbers as creating a better learning environment compared to larger universities.
Career Focus: Graduates from programs like Medical Specialties felt they earned useful certifications (Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist).
Common Criticisms
Extreme Financial Burden/For-Profit Model: The most severe and consistent complaint is the extremely high cost and subsequent debt. Reviewers report being charged what equated to a “$120,000 annual tuition” after attending only a single six-week semester. Many students, particularly those who did not finish, struggled with financial aid issues and unaffordably high private loans (known as EduPlan), which the US Department of Education later determined were based on misrepresentations about affordability and future salary potential.
Worthless Credits & Accreditation: A major issue for former students is the worthlessness of their credits. As a nationally accredited (ACCSC), for-profit institution, other regionally accredited colleges would often refuse to accept transfer credits, leaving students unable to complete their degrees elsewhere without starting over.
Misleading Enrollment & Outcomes: Reviews, backed by findings from the US Department of Education, indicate the school misrepresented job placement rates, graduate salaries, and the transferability of credits. Students were also misled about the amount of time it would take to earn a degree.
Legal & Administrative Issues: The college was placed on probation by its accreditor (ACCSC) in 2018 and faced a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice alleging False Claims Act violations for illegal compensation of recruiters.
Momentum
The very few reviews available from the last few years before its 2021 closure are overwhelmingly negative, focusing heavily on severe financial and accreditation issues. The external information confirms that the college and its parent company were facing systemic, severe, and negative momentum that led to the withdrawal of its accreditation and subsequent permanent closure in August 2021. The US Department of Education later announced an automatic discharge of $1.15 billion in federal student loans for all CEHE (Stevens-Henager) students who enrolled between 2006 and 2021 due to the school’s widespread misconduct.