Capella University RIPOFF Charged me for classes I never took. Doesn't disclose cost of attendance prior to enrolment. Minneapolis Minnesota

First mistake is to categorize this as a school. The biggest shock for me was that your education is completely self taught. Faculty is basically present to evaluate the quality of post and foot notes. There is no education by the faculty and could easily been done by a technician. Your only feedback as to WHAT you are learning is other students.

The student population is problematic. Based on the quality of posts by the students there is a serious educational gap and I question whether or not many of these students are grad level.

Third, the hard sell is blinding and overwhelming. Yes, I admit it. I fell for the hard sell. (I was always a compulsive shopper) After two classes I found that the degree I was studying for was not accepted for licensure in my two states I work and live in. I should have checked before I enrolled, so I have no one to fault but myself.

My only suggestion......... buyer beware.

I am a new Capella Student and love the education I'm getting. The work is intense as I've just started. It is actually harder than a traditional school due to the fact that the only way to discuss issues is through postings.

I am in the Under-Graduate program for a BSBA with a major in Finance. My classes are exactly the same I would take in a brick and mortar school (I spent 2 years in a brick and mortar School). We use real text books, and discuss real business topics. For example, organizational and motivational theory.

It's obvious that Justin didn't read the cancelation policy. It is very liberal. They give you more than enough time to cancel. Justin is just angry because he waited too long.

I think the enrollment fee is only $75, which is standard for most colleges, on-line or not. If this is too much money for you, then you belong in a cheap state university system school!

The Classes are not cheap but they are worth it. I am learning so much in just my first few weeks.

Way to go Capella!

I hear what you are saying. That is nice that you are one of the 6 to 9 learner/consumers out of 100 that might graduate on time without any problems. You just need to know that your situation is not the norm at Capella. Everything goes fine until there is a little problem or misunderstanding, they go berserk and lock you out of the classroom or even disenroll you with no explanation. It does not make any sense and they won't give you any due process hearings so you can defend yourself. They won't comply with federal FERPA laws. They violate financial aid rules and laws as well. It is well documented that they were fined in 2008 and are still under investigation for financial aid fraud. Capella is arrogant in defying state and federal rules, regulations and laws. It is only a matter of time before they not only get slapped with more fines, but are shut down by the federal government.

Capella could be such a nice place to go to school. Their programs could be much better than they are if they let their professors say whatever they wanted and would let them give their students professional recommendations to help them enter the work force like other universities do and help the students through the little glitches and problems that always arise just because you are a learner(consumer). They have to open up their offices, give information freely, good, bad or ugly, to the public community. Hiding information makes them look like they are concealing it so no one will find out, but if we want information we always can find it out in other ways. It's best to be free with information and welcome people to come visit them in their offices and talk to the learners/consumers whenever they can come to town.

I called one day (actually last Fall) to ask if I could walk in and get a transcript. I was told of course not, we are an all online program, you have to order it online. No one can come visit the offices unless they have an appointment. But when you try to call the person you want to see, you never get a phone call or email back from them. They don't want to work with anyone face to face, because they don't have to. I should be able to go to Capella Towers and wait for a transcript to be copied from the computer, but they just don't want to, so they say no. Why don't you try it? Call Capella and tell them you are going to be in town, if you could come and visit Capella Towers and get a transcript and see what they have to say.

Just because you have blindly gone through the program doesn't mean everyone around you isn't having problems. In my cohort there were 12 learners/consumers. Only 2 of us graduated and went into our respective fields. One by one they dropped out for various reasons. Two of twelve is 16%, that is twice the average graduation rate, which is 6-9%. So, look around you. The ones on either side of you will probably not graduate if you do. Count yourself lucky.

I am finishing my second year as a student at Capella University. I am enrolled in the Undergraduate business program. I found this Rip-Off Report thread from an unrelated search regarding the history of the university. Please know that the author of this report and others who agree are members of a very small minority. All of my dealings with the University have been extremely professional, helpful and straightforward. My acceptance into the University was easy and was most likely predicated by my absence from college for the previous 20 years. The fact that I was accepted without jumping through qualification hoops has nothing to do with the hard work I put in and my current 4.0 grade average.

My experience with the admissions counselors, financial aid counselors, and my instructors and administrators since enrolling have been the highest example of honesty and integrity.

Those of you who have experienced problems with the University may need to look in the mirror for the cause. All information I required was presented early and often and every answer I needed was found quickly and easily through their Web site or by phone. Even the technical services crew is top notch.

I'm truly sorry for any inconvenience some of you may have experienced. I just need everyone to know that my experience at Capella University has been nothing like those comments found in this report, not even close. Several classmates have even admitted to leaving other online schools to join Capella. This accredited university is a pioneer in online instruction and I will be proud to add Bachelors degree in Business Administration to my resume soon.

Thanks for reading and peace be with you all.

Lasseterja can't address the topic of this complaint and tries to serve as a PR person for online scams like Capella University. If Lasseterja didn't go to Capella, then why is he posting here? The posted complaint comes from someone who was ripped off by Capella University and was charged for classes he never took. There seem to be a lot of others who have had the same problem. Do a Google search for Capella University bait and switch to find other examples.

Capella Liars from Anytown Minnesota; of the two posts, my is a little more researched and a much more informed opinion. As far as scoring points to get in, why. My GPA for undergrad work is 3.92, I can get into any grad school I desire. However, Capella, AIU, Strayer, UoP, NOVA SE, and others offer some things that traditional universities lack...flexibility for working professionals that want to get an advanced degree.

You're correct in one thing, I don't attend Capella. I attend AIU currently and am in my third semester...I couldn't be more happy with AIU. The curriculum is challenging and relevant to current demands in the workforce. However, it is fast paced and requires great organization and a solid schedule to follow.

The curriculum is first rate and on par with everything I've seen at traditional colleges. Although I'm only three classes into my graduate degree, the coursework is already paying off in my job. I work for a defense contractor as a Training Specialist training Pilots, Aircrew and Maintenance Personnel. The M.Ed. Intructional Technology area of study has significantly improved my performance at work, especially with evaluating and assessing the training provided to our men and women of the US Navy.

Having retired from the Navy after 23 years of service myself, I want to make improvements to the training and make it better than what I received when I served. It's a sense of service, possibly, something you might understand.

Writing unsubstantiated negative posts about online Universities and Colleges just because of a personal beef, does a disservice to the many thousands of men and women that rely on this type of education to further their professional development and upward progression in their careers. Not to mention the disservice to the many thousands of fine credentialed professors who teach these working professionals.

As Joe Friday says...Just the Facts. The fact to me is that I have attended both traditional and online universities. I prefer the virtual calssroom at this stage of my life. Each has their own style of delivery and if you think sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other students while a professor lectures with powerpoint or from a book, is better, then by all means attend that style of learning. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm just offering an informed opinion. This hardly makes me clueless... Although I like the movie. No flames intended just a different point of few.

Capella Liars from Anytown Minnesota; of the two posts, my is a little more researched and a much more informed opinion. As far as scoring points to get in, why. My GPA for undergrad work is 3.92, I can get into any grad school I desire. However, Capella, AIU, Strayer, UoP, NOVA SE, and others offer some things that traditional universities lack...flexibility for working professionals that want to get an advanced degree.

You're correct in one thing, I don't attend Capella. I attend AIU currently and am in my third semester...I couldn't be more happy with AIU. The curriculum is challenging and relevant to current demands in the workforce. However, it is fast paced and requires great organization and a solid schedule to follow.

The curriculum is first rate and on par with everything I've seen at traditional colleges. Although I'm only three classes into my graduate degree, the coursework is already paying off in my job. I work for a defense contractor as a Training Specialist training Pilots, Aircrew and Maintenance Personnel. The M.Ed. Intructional Technology area of study has significantly improved my performance at work, especially with evaluating and assessing the training provided to our men and women of the US Navy.

Having retired from the Navy after 23 years of service myself, I want to make improvements to the training and make it better than what I received when I served. It's a sense of service, possibly, something you might understand.

Writing unsubstantiated negative posts about online Universities and Colleges just because of a personal beef, does a disservice to the many thousands of men and women that rely on this type of education to further their professional development and upward progression in their careers. Not to mention the disservice to the many thousands of fine credentialed professors who teach these working professionals.

As Joe Friday says...Just the Facts. The fact to me is that I have attended both traditional and online universities. I prefer the virtual calssroom at this stage of my life. Each has their own style of delivery and if you think sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other students while a professor lectures with powerpoint or from a book, is better, then by all means attend that style of learning. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm just offering an informed opinion. This hardly makes me clueless... Although I like the movie. No flames intended just a different point of few.

Capella Liars from Anytown Minnesota; of the two posts, my is a little more researched and a much more informed opinion. As far as scoring points to get in, why. My GPA for undergrad work is 3.92, I can get into any grad school I desire. However, Capella, AIU, Strayer, UoP, NOVA SE, and others offer some things that traditional universities lack...flexibility for working professionals that want to get an advanced degree.

You're correct in one thing, I don't attend Capella. I attend AIU currently and am in my third semester...I couldn't be more happy with AIU. The curriculum is challenging and relevant to current demands in the workforce. However, it is fast paced and requires great organization and a solid schedule to follow.

The curriculum is first rate and on par with everything I've seen at traditional colleges. Although I'm only three classes into my graduate degree, the coursework is already paying off in my job. I work for a defense contractor as a Training Specialist training Pilots, Aircrew and Maintenance Personnel. The M.Ed. Intructional Technology area of study has significantly improved my performance at work, especially with evaluating and assessing the training provided to our men and women of the US Navy.

Having retired from the Navy after 23 years of service myself, I want to make improvements to the training and make it better than what I received when I served. It's a sense of service, possibly, something you might understand.

Writing unsubstantiated negative posts about online Universities and Colleges just because of a personal beef, does a disservice to the many thousands of men and women that rely on this type of education to further their professional development and upward progression in their careers. Not to mention the disservice to the many thousands of fine credentialed professors who teach these working professionals.

As Joe Friday says...Just the Facts. The fact to me is that I have attended both traditional and online universities. I prefer the virtual calssroom at this stage of my life. Each has their own style of delivery and if you think sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other students while a professor lectures with powerpoint or from a book, is better, then by all means attend that style of learning. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm just offering an informed opinion. This hardly makes me clueless... Although I like the movie. No flames intended just a different point of few.

Capella Liars from Anytown Minnesota; of the two posts, my is a little more researched and a much more informed opinion. As far as scoring points to get in, why. My GPA for undergrad work is 3.92, I can get into any grad school I desire. However, Capella, AIU, Strayer, UoP, NOVA SE, and others offer some things that traditional universities lack...flexibility for working professionals that want to get an advanced degree.

You're correct in one thing, I don't attend Capella. I attend AIU currently and am in my third semester...I couldn't be more happy with AIU. The curriculum is challenging and relevant to current demands in the workforce. However, it is fast paced and requires great organization and a solid schedule to follow.

The curriculum is first rate and on par with everything I've seen at traditional colleges. Although I'm only three classes into my graduate degree, the coursework is already paying off in my job. I work for a defense contractor as a Training Specialist training Pilots, Aircrew and Maintenance Personnel. The M.Ed. Intructional Technology area of study has significantly improved my performance at work, especially with evaluating and assessing the training provided to our men and women of the US Navy.

Having retired from the Navy after 23 years of service myself, I want to make improvements to the training and make it better than what I received when I served. It's a sense of service, possibly, something you might understand.

Writing unsubstantiated negative posts about online Universities and Colleges just because of a personal beef, does a disservice to the many thousands of men and women that rely on this type of education to further their professional development and upward progression in their careers. Not to mention the disservice to the many thousands of fine credentialed professors who teach these working professionals.

As Joe Friday says...Just the Facts. The fact to me is that I have attended both traditional and online universities. I prefer the virtual calssroom at this stage of my life. Each has their own style of delivery and if you think sitting in a lecture hall with 200 other students while a professor lectures with powerpoint or from a book, is better, then by all means attend that style of learning. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm just offering an informed opinion. This hardly makes me clueless... Although I like the movie. No flames intended just a different point of few.

Lasseterja says that Capella University isn't a rip off and yet he hasn't attended. Sounds like he is just trying to score a few points to get in.

Capella and other online universities such as AIU, Strayer, University of Phoenix, etc. have fairly a large following among working adults. While spending 23 years in the US Navy, I ran across many Sailors that had obtained a degree from AIU and were completely satisfied with the curriculum and the recognition of the degree. I personally earned my BS through Excelsior College, Albany NY but am quite interested in a graduate degree from Capella, UOP and AIU. I contacted Capella them and was quite impressed with their curriculum, standards and learning environment. I haven't noticed any hard sales tactics.

Currently, I am a Training Specialist for a large company dealing with DoD contracts. Capellla, AIU and others are is recognized and accredited in the training industry. This is important to me because I will continue in the training environment for my next career after the US Navy. Additionally they are an approved university for my MGIB and AIU offers a 15% savings for military personnel and veterans. These are major points to me but they may not be for others.

The attempts by many to question federal funding, accreditation are not backed up by the facts. The Veteran's Administration, regional accrediting institutions and corporate America have shown their approval of online learning because the overwhelming evidence supports these are fine educational institutions on par with traditional universities in every respect. The public vs. private institution has no relevance to this discussion at all.

I'm still unsure if I will attend AIU or Capella but many of these posts seem to lack the understanding that Online learning is vastly different to a traditional learning environment. Yes, the courses are fast paced and retention can suffer. However, that is more a reflection on the student than the curriculum. What you get out of the courseware it is directly proportional to what you put into. Retention only happens through repeated exposure.

Will I attend AIU, who knows. I am looking at Strayer, Jones International, Capella and others. One thing I like about all these, is that they have curriculum that fits my busy life style and the courses seem more relevant to current trends in the work force. It appears to me that traditional universities are less flexible and are a step behind the work force in some instances.

I have noticed that some posters state that their credits will not transfer. I have found this to be incorrect in my situation and the credits transfer pretty much the same way as other universities whether traditional or online. Being career military, I have attended many colleges and universities. In other words, I have credits from Old Dominion University, Emery Riddle, University of Maryland, Thomas Edison State College, College of Southern Maryland, Excelsior College, Colorado Technical University, Tidewater Community College, Oklahoma State along numerous CLEP and DSST exams. I found my credits transfer without any issues. I can certainly tell you some programs may scrutinize the courses that are being used for transfer credit to ensure they meet their standards. To date, I have not had any issues between how my my Online courses and my traditional college courses are accepted. They truly seem to be accepted with the same weight.

I have no dog in this hunt, so that's my unbiased opinion based on my experience.

This is not a knock on traditional learning; I would love to have the time to dedicate to learning the traditional way but until that happens, I like the latest offerings from the Online Universities. It is a great alternative for working professionals without sacrificing the quality of instruction. Those that think only Brick and Mortar colleges and universities are the only source for quality education are simply out of touch.

Capella University exists for one reason - to make money. Katiet's recommendation is right on target - consider sticking with a non-profit university. Capella University will lie and refuse to provide any information to those who expose the corruption that exists there. As Justin said, "Caveat Emptor." BTW, does anyone know what the highest amount someone has paid to Capella only to be ripped off by them?

I have found in researching online schools that you really have to be careful. So many are either outright scams or of such low quality that they might as well be. Regional accreditation offers some assurance, but it's not the be all end all. There are many online regionally accredited schools that have such a poor reputation that their name is practically worthless on a resume. Just google "[school's name] scam" or "[school's name] rip-off" or even just "[school's name]" all by itself and you'll be surprised at what comes up on some of them. This is especially true of the private for-profit schools that advertise heavily for online degrees. Many of them are more a business concerned with getting the next sucker to sign on the dotted financial aid line then offering a quality education.

I would recommend sticking with a public or private non-profit university. I was extremely fortunate that I was able to find a great online degree program (which I won't mention here because I don't want their name associated with a rip-off report).

I have found in researching online schools that you really have to be careful. So many are either outright scams or of such low quality that they might as well be. Regional accreditation offers some assurance, but it's not the be all end all. There are many online regionally accredited schools that have such a poor reputation that their name is practically worthless on a resume. Just google "[school's name] scam" or "[school's name] rip-off" or even just "[school's name]" all by itself and you'll be surprised at what comes up on some of them. This is especially true of the private for-profit schools that advertise heavily for online degrees. Many of them are more a business concerned with getting the next sucker to sign on the dotted financial aid line then offering a quality education.

I would recommend sticking with a public or private non-profit university. I was extremely fortunate that I was able to find a great online degree program (which I won't mention here because I don't want their name associated with a rip-off report).

I have found in researching online schools that you really have to be careful. So many are either outright scams or of such low quality that they might as well be. Regional accreditation offers some assurance, but it's not the be all end all. There are many online regionally accredited schools that have such a poor reputation that their name is practically worthless on a resume. Just google "[school's name] scam" or "[school's name] rip-off" or even just "[school's name]" all by itself and you'll be surprised at what comes up on some of them. This is especially true of the private for-profit schools that advertise heavily for online degrees. Many of them are more a business concerned with getting the next sucker to sign on the dotted financial aid line then offering a quality education.

I would recommend sticking with a public or private non-profit university. I was extremely fortunate that I was able to find a great online degree program (which I won't mention here because I don't want their name associated with a rip-off report).

A lot of online schools are just in it for the money. They even have commission driven "sales teams" and those on the team are referred to as counselors. That really sucks what happened to you.

Western Governors University however is a great school. Non-Profit, yea =)

It has been put together by governors from 19 states and has some awesome programs. I don't work there, I just and working towards a degree and wanted to express my feelings about the online school I feel is different than the rest.

Compare graduation statistics at www.ed.gov about the online schools. The more popular for profit schools have extremely low graduation rates.

Justin, it looks like you're not alone. Capella University continues to be exposed for their corruption as a result of the kickbacks their Financial Aid Director, Timothy Lehmann, was accepting. Let's not forget that the United States Department of the Inspector General is continued their audit of Capella's books because they refused to return half a million dollars in taxpayer money that they apparently stole from other students.

Justin, it looks like you're not alone. Capella University continues to be exposed for their corruption as a result of the kickbacks their Financial Aid Director, Timothy Lehmann, was accepting. Let's not forget that the United States Department of the Inspector General is continued their audit of Capella's books because they refused to return half a million dollars in taxpayer money that they apparently stole from other students.

Justin, it looks like you're not alone. Capella University continues to be exposed for their corruption as a result of the kickbacks their Financial Aid Director, Timothy Lehmann, was accepting. Let's not forget that the United States Department of the Inspector General is continued their audit of Capella's books because they refused to return half a million dollars in taxpayer money that they apparently stole from other students.

"Capella University is a rip-off"

- Mr.Unhappy, Mr.Truth, Mr.ForgetDistanceEducation, Degreemills are a ripoff. Capella University is regionally
accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds professional accreditation.

- They have their strengths, problems and weaknesses just like other non-profit and for-profit accredited universities and colleges. Those weaknesses must be worked out. They are regionally and professionally accedited.

"They allow anyone who breathes into their undergraduate programs (the US Dept of Education just released a report that says 100% of all applicants are admitted)."

- The Harvard Extension School and many accredited colleges and universities around the world have open admission policies for prospective undergraduate applicants. In regards to Harvard University, "To be admitted to the undergraduate program students: Complete three 4-credit liberal arts courses with grades of B- or higher at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School."

- Distance learning institutions called, Excelsior College, Charter Oak, and Tesc all have relatively open admission requirements. It is up to the student to pass the course and earn their degree. This is very much a European model of education. Heriot Watt University, located in the United Kingdom, has an open admissions MBA available.

- Western Governors University, Liberty University, Fort Hays State University, Amberton University all are open admission for their undergraduate programs.

" What a joke! "

- Well Mr.Truth, Mr.Unhappy, Mr.ForgetDistanceEducation, I guess regionally accredited education should not be accessable to all.

sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Capella University is a rip-off. They allow anyone who breathes into their undergraduate programs (the US Dept of Education just released a report that says 100% of all applicants are admitted). What a joke!

If this is so Jeff, then Capella needs to get its house in order. However, the university is not a scam. It is regionally accredited. The ivy-leagues are not without their problems. I am a graduate of one of them. There is a fellow by the name of Jeffrey La.Marca who is trying to force Capella University to settle. There are suspicions on various forums that LaMarca is spreading slander against Capella University. He is hoping that Capella will give in to the pressure. It has been discovered that Jeffrey LaMarca works at a University in California.

I have read many incidents that occur in various non-profit and for-profit Regionally Accredited and Nationally Accredited universities. A professor at a well-established non-profit university may be fired for spending thousands of dollars on items of luxury. The college in which this professor is employed, is being audited.

Capella better get these issues resolved, or its accreditation may be affected. Also, Capella is a company that is publicly traded. They need to be careful.

Both the Associated Press and CBS News are reporting that Capella Univesrity Financial Aid Director Timothy Lehman is under investigation for receiving kickbacks!

Specifically, "Investigators say a student loan company under investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo paid consulting fees to the director of financial aid at Minneapolis-based Capella University.

"Cuomo's office said Timothy Lehmann was paid more than 13-thousand dollars in consulting fees by Student Loan Xpress."

What a scam!

Mr.Unhappy. Capella offers the Psy.D and Ph.D program in Psychology. The Psy.D is too new to be considered for APA accreditation. Once enough students graduate from the program, Capella will re-apply for APA accreditation.

Capella University is being audited by the United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General for ripping off approximately $500,000 from American tax payers.

They also rip off students - they used to offer a PhD in psychology and then switched to a PsyD program. They claim that's why they withdrew their application for accreditation from the American Psyhological Association (APA).

Capella University is being audited by the United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General for ripping off approximately $500,000 from American tax payers.

They also rip off students - they used to offer a PhD in psychology and then switched to a PsyD program. They claim that's why they withdrew their application for accreditation from the American Psyhological Association (APA).

Capella University is being audited by the United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General for ripping off approximately $500,000 from American tax payers.

They also rip off students - they used to offer a PhD in psychology and then switched to a PsyD program. They claim that's why they withdrew their application for accreditation from the American Psyhological Association (APA).

Capella University is being audited by the United States Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General for ripping off approximately $500,000 from American tax payers.

They also rip off students - they used to offer a PhD in psychology and then switched to a PsyD program. They claim that's why they withdrew their application for accreditation from the American Psyhological Association (APA).

I am a doctoral student in the psychology program at Capella. It is expensive, but all costs were available on the website prior to my enrollment (including cost and number of required colloquia). I have found the program at Capella to be more challenging than my masters program at a traditional school. I am well pleased with the education I am getting, and find the experience well worth the cost.

If you are considering Capella, read the website thoroughly and ask questions about all costs before enrolling. Be prepared that tuition may increase at some point, just as it generally does annually at traditional universities. If you decide to attend, I have no doubt you will get a quality education.