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A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College
Every year, the cost of a four-year degree goes up, and the value goes down. But for many students, there's a better answer.
So many things are getting faster and cheaper. Movies stream into your living room, without ticket or concession-stand costs. The world's libraries are at your fingertips instantly, and for free.
So why is a college education the only thing that seems immune to change? Colleges and universities operate much as they did 40 years ago, with one major tuition expenses have risen dramatically. What's more, earning a degree takes longer than ever before, with the average time to graduate now over five years.
As a result, graduates often struggle with enormous debt burdens. Even worse, they often find that degrees did not prepare them to obtain and succeed at good jobs in growing sectors of the economy. While many learners today would thrive with an efficient and affordable postsecondary education, the slow and pricey road to a bachelor's degree is starkly the opposite.
In A New Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, Ryan Craig documents the early days of a revolution that will transform—or make obsolete—many colleges and universities. Alternative routes to great first jobs that do not involve a bachelor's degree are sprouting up all over the place. Bootcamps, income-share programs, apprenticeships, and staffing models are attractive alternatives to great jobs in numerous growing sectors of the coding, healthcare, sales, digital marketing, finance and accounting, insurance, and data analytics.
A New U is the first roadmap to these groundbreaking programs, which will lead to more student choice, better matches with employers, higher return on investment of cost and time, and stronger economic growth.
So many things are getting faster and cheaper. Movies stream into your living room, without ticket or concession-stand costs. The world's libraries are at your fingertips instantly, and for free.
So why is a college education the only thing that seems immune to change? Colleges and universities operate much as they did 40 years ago, with one major tuition expenses have risen dramatically. What's more, earning a degree takes longer than ever before, with the average time to graduate now over five years.
As a result, graduates often struggle with enormous debt burdens. Even worse, they often find that degrees did not prepare them to obtain and succeed at good jobs in growing sectors of the economy. While many learners today would thrive with an efficient and affordable postsecondary education, the slow and pricey road to a bachelor's degree is starkly the opposite.
In A New Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, Ryan Craig documents the early days of a revolution that will transform—or make obsolete—many colleges and universities. Alternative routes to great first jobs that do not involve a bachelor's degree are sprouting up all over the place. Bootcamps, income-share programs, apprenticeships, and staffing models are attractive alternatives to great jobs in numerous growing sectors of the coding, healthcare, sales, digital marketing, finance and accounting, insurance, and data analytics.
A New U is the first roadmap to these groundbreaking programs, which will lead to more student choice, better matches with employers, higher return on investment of cost and time, and stronger economic growth.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2018
59 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 12, 2019
I’d say Part I is the crown jewel here. Craig makes a good case for why the four year degree is no longer a good value proposition. His points are backed by data and in general are cogent. Part II unfortunately devotes tons of time to discussing various coding academies and things like that which are a bit boring to recite. Part III returns to form a bit by discussing steps forward.
I will say I think Craig makes many solid points and deserves to have them aired. That said, I’m not sure this book either needed the discussion of coding boot camps and be like or was well-written overall.
Solid three stars.
I will say I think Craig makes many solid points and deserves to have them aired. That said, I’m not sure this book either needed the discussion of coding boot camps and be like or was well-written overall.
Solid three stars.
July 1, 2019
Parts of the book are informative, however it is heavily focused on computer related jobs/learning., following the idea of 'learn to code.' I'm sure you can read some cliff notes and save yourself the time on this book.
June 8, 2021
I bought it but probably should've borrowed it from the library. There's a lot of filler and I really don't care for books that spend a lot of time describing personal anecdotes. Plus the author's examples from his experience at Yale weren't helpful.
August 9, 2023
In "A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College," author Ryan Craig dissects the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in a rapidly evolving landscape. Craig delves into alternative educational pathways, critiquing traditional norms, and proposing transformative solutions. This review explores the insights gained from Craig's exploration of practical alternatives to the traditional college experience, offering a perspective from within the education realm.
Penned by Ryan Craig, a recognized authority in education and venture capital, "A New U" is enriched by his extensive experience in the field. Craig's exploration begins with a candid assessment of the higher education sector, identifying critical shortcomings. He advocates for change by presenting innovative models that challenge the conventional approach. Throughout the book's three distinct parts, the author uncovers the pitfalls of the current system while unveiling promising alternatives, encouraging readers to reconsider the value of a college degree.
Big Three Takeaways:
Part I - A Generation at Risk:
Deconstructing the Degree Myth: Craig scrutinizes the conventional narrative surrounding higher education and highlights the growing skepticism among students and employers about its value.
Mismatch Between Education and Employment: This section underscores the alarming gap between the skills imparted by traditional education and the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
Challenges of College Completion: Craig exposes the dismal completion rates and crippling student debt that plague higher education, calling for a reevaluation of its effectiveness.
Part II - Faster + Cheaper:
Redefining Learning Pathways: The author navigates the emergence of faster, more cost-effective alternatives to traditional higher education, such as bootcamps and competency marketplaces.
The Promise of Online Learning: Craig delves into the potential and limitations of online education, discussing its transformational possibilities in providing flexible and engaging learning experiences.
The Competency Marketplace: This section examines the rise of skill-based recognition, challenging the dominance of degrees and highlighting the shift towards competency-driven education.
Part III - Graduating from College:
Innovations in College Programming: Craig explores diverse ways in which colleges are redefining their value proposition, including income share agreements (ISAs) and apprenticeships.
Job-Ready Graduates: The author emphasizes the importance of practical skills, mentorships, and industry alignment in creating graduates who are well-prepared for the workforce.
Toward a Reshaped Education Landscape: Part III envisions a higher education ecosystem that has adapted to the demands of the knowledge economy, offering relevant, efficient, and impactful learning experiences.
As a dedicated educator and administrator entrenched in higher education, my journey through "A New U" by Ryan Craig was marked by intrigue and moments of reservation. The book's narrative structure, featuring anecdotes from the author's college experiences at the beginning of each chapter, created an occasionally disjointed reading experience. Additionally, the occasional persuasive tone of the text seemed to overshadow its scholarly exploration. Despite these concerns, the book's swift exploration of faster + cheaper alternatives left an indelible impression. The comprehensive 60+ page appendix, a directory of these alternatives, though seemingly under the radar for much of higher education, is gaining significant traction among consumers and industry leaders. This serves as a clarion call for us, as education professionals, to transcend traditional paradigms and engage proactively with the evolving landscape to ensure we provide relevant and impactful pathways for our learners.
"A New U" by Ryan Craig offers a layered perspective that delves into the critical challenges and potential disruptions within higher education. While the book's narrative structure may occasionally disrupt the flow, and its persuasive undertones may sway its scholarly balance, its urgency in spotlighting the ascent of faster + cheaper alternatives is impossible to ignore. The extensive appendix, highlighting these very alternatives, is quietly becoming a focal point for both consumers and industry leaders. This resonates as a compelling reminder for education professionals to navigate beyond conventional boundaries and proactively explore innovative avenues. In a swiftly transforming landscape, adaptability emerges as the crux of ensuring higher education remains aligned with dynamic workforce demands.
#TheClarkCommunique #BookReview #ANewU #RyanCraig #HigherEd #EducationTransformation #InnovativeLearning #FutureOfWork
Penned by Ryan Craig, a recognized authority in education and venture capital, "A New U" is enriched by his extensive experience in the field. Craig's exploration begins with a candid assessment of the higher education sector, identifying critical shortcomings. He advocates for change by presenting innovative models that challenge the conventional approach. Throughout the book's three distinct parts, the author uncovers the pitfalls of the current system while unveiling promising alternatives, encouraging readers to reconsider the value of a college degree.
Big Three Takeaways:
Part I - A Generation at Risk:
Deconstructing the Degree Myth: Craig scrutinizes the conventional narrative surrounding higher education and highlights the growing skepticism among students and employers about its value.
Mismatch Between Education and Employment: This section underscores the alarming gap between the skills imparted by traditional education and the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
Challenges of College Completion: Craig exposes the dismal completion rates and crippling student debt that plague higher education, calling for a reevaluation of its effectiveness.
Part II - Faster + Cheaper:
Redefining Learning Pathways: The author navigates the emergence of faster, more cost-effective alternatives to traditional higher education, such as bootcamps and competency marketplaces.
The Promise of Online Learning: Craig delves into the potential and limitations of online education, discussing its transformational possibilities in providing flexible and engaging learning experiences.
The Competency Marketplace: This section examines the rise of skill-based recognition, challenging the dominance of degrees and highlighting the shift towards competency-driven education.
Part III - Graduating from College:
Innovations in College Programming: Craig explores diverse ways in which colleges are redefining their value proposition, including income share agreements (ISAs) and apprenticeships.
Job-Ready Graduates: The author emphasizes the importance of practical skills, mentorships, and industry alignment in creating graduates who are well-prepared for the workforce.
Toward a Reshaped Education Landscape: Part III envisions a higher education ecosystem that has adapted to the demands of the knowledge economy, offering relevant, efficient, and impactful learning experiences.
As a dedicated educator and administrator entrenched in higher education, my journey through "A New U" by Ryan Craig was marked by intrigue and moments of reservation. The book's narrative structure, featuring anecdotes from the author's college experiences at the beginning of each chapter, created an occasionally disjointed reading experience. Additionally, the occasional persuasive tone of the text seemed to overshadow its scholarly exploration. Despite these concerns, the book's swift exploration of faster + cheaper alternatives left an indelible impression. The comprehensive 60+ page appendix, a directory of these alternatives, though seemingly under the radar for much of higher education, is gaining significant traction among consumers and industry leaders. This serves as a clarion call for us, as education professionals, to transcend traditional paradigms and engage proactively with the evolving landscape to ensure we provide relevant and impactful pathways for our learners.
"A New U" by Ryan Craig offers a layered perspective that delves into the critical challenges and potential disruptions within higher education. While the book's narrative structure may occasionally disrupt the flow, and its persuasive undertones may sway its scholarly balance, its urgency in spotlighting the ascent of faster + cheaper alternatives is impossible to ignore. The extensive appendix, highlighting these very alternatives, is quietly becoming a focal point for both consumers and industry leaders. This resonates as a compelling reminder for education professionals to navigate beyond conventional boundaries and proactively explore innovative avenues. In a swiftly transforming landscape, adaptability emerges as the crux of ensuring higher education remains aligned with dynamic workforce demands.
#TheClarkCommunique #BookReview #ANewU #RyanCraig #HigherEd #EducationTransformation #InnovativeLearning #FutureOfWork
December 17, 2020
A NEW U is about college, it’s worth, and all of the cheaper and quicker ways to get through college without dying...so you know you can actually get the job that you studied for, but that’s beside the point, the point here is that I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to read 293 pages on college when you of all people either don’t read or want to go to college ( That’s a joke okay?) But let’s just jump right in because I have a long way to go before I finish so I’d say that Part I is the crown jewel here. Craig (The author) makes a good case for why the four-year degree is no longer a good value proposition. His points are backed by data and in general, are cogent. Part II unfortunately devotes tons of time to discussing various coding academies and things like that which are a bit boring to recite. Part III returns to form a bit by discussing steps forward. I will say I think Craig makes many solid points and deserves to have them aired. That said, I’m not sure this book either needed the discussion of coding boot camps and be like or was well-written overall. Think about your education. Think about your goal in life. Think about your career that gets you to your goals in life. Ryan Craig is “Managing Director of University Ventures, an investment firm reimagining the future of higher education and creating new pathways from education to employment." So his goal of education is the alternative and as he hopes to attract a lot more students. The work is great for anyone thinking about starting the future of their education. I hope to give this book to someone that might benefit from the lesson of this book.
November 24, 2018
This was an interesting read, and it's clear the author has done a hefty amount of research on the topic. The statistics he lays out are mind-boggling! It has definitely given me a new perspective on the subject. While I found Craig's writing style a little dry\not very engaging, I was still mostly interested in the book. Overall, this was an interesting read and helps you get some perspective on the whole "going-to-college" subject. And these statistics have given me some ammo for when people tell me I'll have an unsuccessful life because I currently don't plan to go to college. :P
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
FTC disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 2, 2019
Solid book. Anyone interested in the future of higher education or jobs or work or skills will find it a valuable contribution to the debate over the evolution of school and work.
Makes me wish I hadn't shelled out so much money for school, although the options emerging now didn't exist back in my day.
I would follow his advice quite strictly if I were about to make a decision on college for myself or a loved one. Only pay for school if it's selective and will provide strong employment prospects. And dont pay more than you truly can afford (which is way LESS than you think).
Makes me wish I hadn't shelled out so much money for school, although the options emerging now didn't exist back in my day.
I would follow his advice quite strictly if I were about to make a decision on college for myself or a loved one. Only pay for school if it's selective and will provide strong employment prospects. And dont pay more than you truly can afford (which is way LESS than you think).
December 26, 2018
Think about your education. Think about your goal in life. Think about your career that get you to your goals in life. Ryan Craig is “Managing Director of University Ventures, an investment firm reimagining the future of higher education and creating new pathways from education to employment." So his goal of education is the alternative and as he hopes to attract a lot more students. The work is great for anyone thinking about starting their future of their education. I hope to give this book to someone that might benefit from the lesson of this book.
January 10, 2025
After graduating from high school a few decades ago I went to college because it was just a logical next step. This book made me think about what the purpose of college is. Is it just to spend some time studying diverse topics in depth, or is it to prepare us for a career? This book provided multiple alternatives to getting a college degree and focusing on career building skills, as well as providing a critique of the state of our current higher education system.
August 24, 2022
This book is highly informative and an important piece on the future of education. In Part I especially, Craig combines personal anecdotes with detailed research to build a convincing argument for alternative pathways to great jobs outside of traditional higher education. A must read!
November 14, 2018
If you are in higher ed, and this doesn't galvanize you into action to avoid irrelevance, you shouldn't be in higher ed.
December 20, 2018
Urgent higher education policy read. Underlined and annotated the daylights out of this. Highly recommend.
September 11, 2018
The author presented evidence of how postsecondary education has not evolved in decades despite society and technology evolving. Not only does he lay out the facts about this, but he offers alternatives to the traditional college.
November 4, 2018
Upper education is in massive need of reform and Craig presents a coherent, compelling argument for how to achieve that. An interesting, thought-provoking read.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 1, 2018
A lot of examples/ base of information guiding reader using tech as an example through out the book. Gives some information about different ways one can go into university and not. He gives alternatives in learning. Has a few good points in it - way it is written not be for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews