William Jessup University Offers Private University Education at a Public University Cost; University Offers Scholarships To UC Admitted Freshmen to Make Private University Cost Equal to Tuition, Room & Board At UC Davis

Business Wire, March 31, 2008

ROCKLIN, Calif. -- When graduating high school students consider where to go to college, often they will focus only on public universities - assuming they can't afford a private university education.

But, increasingly private universities are changing the traditional equation - offering scholarships that make the cost of attending a private university equal to or less than public universities.

Major private universities are stepping up their efforts to provide financial aid to students, from Stanford University to Ivy League universities on the East Coast.

Now, William Jessup University, the Sacramento area's only private four-year university, is offering students admitted to any University of California campus a private school education - at a public university price.

William Jessup University will use scholarships to make the cost of attending the university equivalent to the cost of tuition, room and board at UC Davis. Without the scholarship, the difference between the two would be more than $6,000, based on the 2007-2008 cost of tuition, room and board at UC-Davis and William Jessup.

"We want to encourage more students to look at all of the higher education options available to them," said Joe Womack, Vice President for University Advancement at William Jessup University.

"William Jessup recognizes that some students are looking for smaller class sizes and the personal attention that a smaller school can provide," he said. "Yet, unfortunately, many people assume that a private university education is financially out of their reach."

To make William Jessup University a financial option, the University is providing WJU Access Scholarships to students who qualify for UC admission. Those qualification requirements include incoming freshmen admittance to William Jessup University by May 31 and documentation of admission to a UC campus.

"The cost to attend and live at public universities has increased," Womack said. "Private universities should be an option for all students to consider."

In contrast to public universities, William Jessup University offers a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1 and an average class size of 15 students.

William Jessup University was founded in 1939 in San Jose and relocated its main campus to Rocklin in 2004 to accommodate growth and provide an opportunity to expand its course offerings. The university, formerly known as San Jose Christian College, was renamed after its founder, William Jessup.

The university is located on an expansive, 125-acre campus and includes extensive athletic facilities and dormitories. The university offers a wide variety of degree opportunities, including Business Administration, Christian Education, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Studies (Teacher Education), Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry.

The William Jessup University campus is an impressive blend of modern architecture and state-of-the-art technology, including a completely wireless campus.

About William Jessup University

Founded in 1939 by William Jessup, the University moved its main campus from San Jose to Rocklin, Calif., in August 2004 to accommodate future growth. WJU is the first and only WASC accredited private four-year university to have its main campus located in the greater Sacramento area, offering degrees in many different disciplines, including Business Administration, Christian Education, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Studies (Teacher Education), Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry. WJU also offers an adult Degree Completion Program at its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose in Counseling Psychology, Management and Christian Leadership. For more information, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.