After 99 years, Jones College set to close by end of the year

[thelakelander]

I wonder what this means for their campuses in Arlington and Murray Hill?

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/education/2017-06-06/after-99-years-jacksonville-jones-college-set-close-year-s-end

[Adam White]

Interesting. I don't know enough about the school to make any comment on its legitimacy versus other for profit schools.  The fact that is has been around for 99 years indicates to me that it was doing some good.

Apparently the organization that accredited it (ACICS) lost its recognition by the US Dept of Education.

[Tacachale]

The issue for them has always been accrediting. Most schools (all state universities and colleges, reputable private schools, and even a number of for-profits like University of Phoenix) have regional accreditation from the six accrediting bodies. Schools that can't get regionally accredited often go to national accrediting bodies, which have lower standards and aren't well regarded in higher ed. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools was one of those, and as Adam said they had their accrediting pulled by the Department of Education.

That was another blow for Jones, which suffered from competition not only from FSCJ, but the for-profit chains that have moved in over the last few decades. Keiser University, for instance, is a lot more expensive, but it's actually regionally accredited (and thus will always be eligible for federal aid) and has robust night and online offerings (and it's not technically for-profit). They don't have the money or enrollment to push forward; I heard that Jones College's enrollment had already fallen to a few hundred students in the last few years; losing what accreditation they have is a death knell.

[remc86007]

I assumed it was doomed when Jones College Radio went off the air. I still miss that channel.

[I-10east]

I did a couple of classes there in the early 2000s. Very sad, esp being so close to an 100 year anniversary.

[pierre]

I assumed it was doomed when Jones College Radio went off the air. I still miss that channel.

Ha. My wife and I said the same thing.

That station was outstanding.

[JaxJersey-licious]

So now that the Jones College Edgewood campus is now for sale and the old Fat Kat property is available any wish-list ideas for the combined properties? I say combo farmer's market/food hall.