Is Brown Mackie College the School for You?

The Brown Mackie College (BMC) group has been around for 120 years, according to its website, and it functions as a for-profit vocational institution that offers certificate and associate degree programs. BMC offers certificate and degree programs in six different vocational tracks, but not all programs are offered at all campuses. Check out the following information to see if BMC Salina is right for you:

Pros

• Tuition and fees were $3,629 less than the average costs at other for-profit institutions in 2011-2012
• The Salina location offers degree and certificate programs in five out of the six BMC career pathways
• BMC Salina's student-to-faculty ratio is seven points lower than the national average

Cons

• No on-campus housing available
• All programs are vocational-based not academic-based
• BMC Salina does not accept advanced placement (AP) credits

School Analysis

In the 2011-2012 school year, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that the average cost of tuition and fees for BMC Salina students was $11,108. Comparatively, the College Board showed that during the same school year, the average cost of tuition and fees at other for-profit institutions was $14,737. Since BMC Salina is a vocational institution and a commuter campus, according to the College Board, the school does not offer on-campus housing to students. NCES records from 2011-2012 indicated that the average cost of off-campus room and board was at $5,613, the cost of books and other supplies during that year was at $1,500, and additional expenses were estimated at an average of $6,327.

At the various BMC campuses, there are six main vocational tracks offered: business and technology, health care and wellness, early childhood education, veterinary technology, nursing, and legal studies. BMC Salina offers all of these vocational tracks, except for early childhood education. Associate degree programs at BMC Salina include computer-aided design and drafting technology, criminal justice, veterinary technology, paralegal, business management, occupational therapy assistant, medical assisting, and nursing.

Although BMC campuses predominantly offer certificate and associate degree programs, a few bachelor's degree programs are available. At BMC Salina, for example, bachelor's degree programs in health care management and business administration are available. While studying at BMC Salina, you can expect lots of attention from teachers: the student-to-teacher ratio is 9:1, whereas the national student-to-teacher ratio average is at 16:1. The school does not accept any AP credits earned from high school, which is not surprising, since the BMC system focuses on vocational training, not academic research.

Admissions & Financial Aid at Brown Mackie College

BMC's national website indicates that the admissions process is open year-around, so you can apply at any time and usually start classes during the next open session. If you're interested in the nursing program, there are some prerequisites that you must complete prior to enrollment. Nursing program applicants have to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The rest of the admissions process is completed one-on-one with a BMC admissions staff member. Students choose their vocational track programs during the admissions process, sign up for financial aid, and also complete the admissions application.

Several financial aid options are available at most BMC campuses. Such options include work-study programs, federal loans, institutional aid, state grants and federal grants. During the 2010-2011 school year, the NCES showed that 97% of students received some form of financial aid. Records from that same year showed that the average amount of aid received from grants or scholarships was at $5,993. Also during the 2010-2011 school year, the NCES indicated that the amount of money students at BMC Salina took out in federal loans averaged out at $6,998, but the average amount of non-federal loans during the school year, which were most likely loans provided by private lenders, was at $9,057.

Student Life at Brown Mackie College

Once enrolled at BMC Salina, you will only take one class per month, which is BMC's specialty system for training students. Although you only take one class at a time, the school's FAQ page shows that students graduate from certificate or diploma programs in about a year or 15 months, and most students should complete associate degree programs within two years.

Although Salina is a large town in Kansas, the BMC campus is not very big, and the student population is just a little over 500 people. While the school may not be large, as a vocational institute it does offer internships as off-campus services, according to the College Board. Additionally, classes are available in the late evening hours and on weekends, which is helpful for students who are trying to work full-time and go to school.

Since BMC Salina is not a traditional university, it does not have Greek life on campus or many student organizations. The College Board indicates that there is a school newspaper. There are also school sports teams for both men and women in such areas as softball, basketball, and baseball, according to the College Board. Other support services on campus include employment services, tutoring, remedial course training, career counseling, some disability services, and career placement services.

Sources: *University website, **NCES, ***College Board and ****FAFSA.

School Contact Information

• Address: General Inquiries, Brown Mackie College - Salina, 2106 South 9th Street, Salina, KS, 67401
• Phone: (785) 825-5422