I'm an older student (30s) returning to school for nursing and need to complete prerequisites. Queue: Saint Paul College. This is my second semester as a full time student and I couldn't be happier with my experience. My review is based on the things that matter most to me: quality of professors, quality of education, and affordability. I am NOT concerned with things like the cafe or general building upkeep. I show up, learn what I need to, and leave. I have taken In Class, Hybrid, and Online only classes and they each have pros and cons depending on learning styles. There is ample variety of class times and types to choose from when registering which is nice. So yes, I have encountered minor issues as a student-- IT related, transcript related, or being confused about the process of something. Every time I needed assistance, I was able to get it efficiently and effectively. IT is very responsive via email, and Mao at One Stop is an awesome advisor. She quelled all of my new student anxiety. In terms of affordability, SPC is on par with other community colleges in the area. Something around $200/credit. I always find parking (not super close to the entrance but I don't look very hard for a good spot, pretty much drive straight to the back of the parking area where I know there will be plenty of spots). SPC is meeting all of my needs and I'm having fun and learning a lot along the way. I really can't ask for anything more from a community college. read more

Saint Paul College - The front courtyard view of SPC in Fall - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Complaint Regarding Erin's Conduct - Admissions Office I'm writing a complaint about Erin, who works at the front desk in the Admissions Office. I normally don't take the time to write complaints, but after several negative and frustrating experiences, I feel this needs to be addressed. The first time I ever visited campus, Erin was available but ignored me when my name appeared on the service screen. She looked at me, turned away, and did nothing--no typing, no paperwork, nothing. Another employee, Xiong, eventually helped me. Xiong has always been helpful and professional, but Erin's refusal to assist me was noticeable and uncomfortable. My second experience with Erin was over the phone when I called about a billing issue for a summer (June) class I thought had been dropped. I received an email about an unpaid balance and wanted clarification. When I explained this, Erin asked when I registered. I told her I didn't remember exactly. She responded in a condescending tone, saying, "It was June and you don't even remember?" I let that go because I don't have spare time like her, I asked about payment plan options since I wanted to register for another class. She told me payment had to be made in full, and when I asked to be transferred to Financial Aid to confirm, she refused--repeating herself word-for-word multiple times. Like a robot, reading a script, she repeated herself on needing a full payment and why others would say the same. I had to insist several times before she finally transferred me. The entire call was extrememly draining and disrespectful. My most recent experience was just as frustrating. I called to ask whether I could join a class late with the professor's approval. Instead of listening, Erin kept cutting me off and repeating that "they don't hold seats for students." I tried to explain that I wasn't asking for a seat hold, just clarification about contacting the professor because I had holds and if he thought it would be too late then I could contact another school who I knew could give me the course. She talked over me repeatedly, refused to listen, and raised her voice, "WE DONT HOLD SEATS EVEN IF YOUR TRYING TO GRADUATE ON TIME". I told her to transfer me to someone else because she was talking over me and that it was ridiculous what she was doing. She began repeating herself word by word on why she was right and why I couldn't talk with the professor. Honestly, she sounded like a crazy medicated person. I had to hang up because the conversation was going nowhere and she was wasting my time. When I called again and spoke to another staff member they ransferred me to an Academic Advisor, Scott, he confirmed exactly what I was trying to ask--that I could email the professor to request late enrollment. I wasted an hour to get a simple answer. And am wasting my time writing this about Erin. I'm a visiting student, not even enrolled full-time, and I already find interactions with Erin extremely stressful. I can't imagine what regular students go through dealing with her. College is not a joke--students are investing time, effort, and money into their education. We deserve staff who are patient, professional, and willing to listen. St. Paul College is a great institution with many helpful employees like Xiong and Scott. Unfortunately, Erin's conduct leaves a negative impression that does not reflect the college's standards. I hope this matter is addressed seriously. read more

I've gone here for three semesters now working on an associates degree. The teachers are all amazing, educated in their subject, and personable. The facility is well-kept, up to date, and clean. Pretty good food on site but should have more healthy alternatives other than a salad bar since there's nothing veryy close by the college to walk to. Class sizes are small and very personal. Easy to talk with teachers one on one and there's a strong feeling of support of each teacher. Haven't taken advantage of the academic support too much yet but I hear it's very good. No sports teams or many other after school involvement or groups but I believe they are working to build that up. read more

Saint Paul College - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Ranked the #1 community college in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine according to the schools. The school is affordable, staff is typically friendly and knowledgeable, and a great place for students of all ages and backgrounds. St. Paul College offers a wide variety of on-line and night classes. read more

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This school claims to be good for people who live out of state. Out of state tuition is the same as in state tuition, great right? Nope. Once they realize you don't live in state all of the services they offer go away. No free tutoring. No counseling. No mentoring. No help from administration what-so-ever. Oh and figure out where you're going to buy your books from because it's not from them. They will cancel any out of state shipping order less than two weeks before school starts in the middle of a pandemic when you are too broke to buy books on Amazon. Which they did to me, despite NOTHING on the website saying that they don't ship out of state and them having no problem shipping my order last semester when I was across the country. This school is barely adequate when you live in-state. If you're out of state, don't even bother. It is a money pit and a joke. read more

PARENTS BEWARE: SAINT PAUL COLLEGE: 235 Marshall Ave, St Paul, MN 55102 - Quote of the day from the tuition office and Angelique's staff: "We do not care about the welfare of our students we are here to collect the money." The process to enroll is a mess. My son NEVER stepped foot on their campus and was billed for attending class. Their response was that they emailed him on his "student email" which of course he would not have access to as he had never been admitted. They also claimed they sent him text messages. We searched his whole phone and he received nothing. They then proceeded to turn him into collections for payment of tuition. Next and the most interesting, is that they said if he would not have attended class he would have been dropped after the first 5 days and owed nothing. AGAIN: He never stepped foot on their campus and classes were in person. So they are claiming he either was in class - yet no one has a record of him being there- or they are just scamming and being dishonest about their process. And, if no one has a record of him being why were they not concerned about his wellbeing? Way to go Saint Paul College - during a pandemic where businesses, schools, and employers are working together for the best interest of the employee/student/business, you are TURNING YOUNG ADULTS INTO COLLECTIONS AND RUINING THEIR FUTURE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS, well at least your quote was accurate - "you do not care about the welfare of your students." Let it be known, as a mom, I paid the 467.52 to try save his credit and of course never heard from them again. I am happy to report that he is excelling at the college HE DOES GO to and I am also happy to never have to deal with SAINT PAUL COLLEGE AGAIN! My advice - choose a college that DOES care about the welfare of students and will be concerned if someone never shows up to class and will work to educate not destroy you or your loved ones. read more

I don't like writing bad reviews, especially for some place that I spent so much time and was supposed to help me move forward with my future. However, while I liked a couple of my instructors a lot, I cannot recommend St. Paul College's massage program. If you are looking for a massage program, especially if you ever plan on relocating out of state, avoid St. Paul College; spend a bit more to go to Centerpoint or Northwestern. St. Paul College's massage program is not accepted in all states, so it may be possible that you relocate outside of MN and are unable to get licensed, as I am dealing with in Washington state. The heads of the massage program have been unwilling to assist in the matter. I don't believe alumni should be treated so dismissively. Other states that have stringent standards include Vermont and Oregon, and an education from St. Paul College may be inadequate to get a license (it may cost significantly more to obtain an initial license and/or you may need to take more courses at an approved school to meet state standards, if you are able to pursue licensure at all). The plus sides to St. Paul College in general were that the financial aid and counseling offices were helpful. A lot of the instructors do seem to care about seeing students succeed and there are free tutoring programs. There are plenty of comfortable places to sit and study and the cafeteria offers good and cheap food. The location is convenient, although parking can get pricey and finding street parking is a challenge. However, the school is easily accessible by public transportation. As far as my experience while I was in the massage program, it seems to operate to meet minimal standards and appears more interested in keeping graduation rates up for funding purposes. A couple of the instructors were great and caring people (Nick Bohrer and Karen Kraus), but the other instructors within the massage program were disorganized and substandard. A lot of techniques are glossed over, although this was more due to the set-up of the program than any inadequacies with the instructors. The techniques taught by Nick Bohrer and Karen Kraus were great, although there was not enough time in class to go in-depth (again, more because of the set-up of the program). There is minimal instructor interaction during massage clinic. The massage certificate program does not require a pathology course, which is required in most jurisdictions, but does require a holistic nutrition course. I would recommend taking pathology as an elective so you can meet the standards of other states. Overall, I can't recommend the massage program, but perhaps the other programs offered by Saint Paul College operate better and meet higher standards. Seek your massage education elsewhere. read more

I completed the wine certification program (instructor: Nikki Erpelding) and am in the process of completing the yoga teacher training (instructor: Maria Toso) at Saint Paul College. Both programs are run by true professionals in their fields, and both instructors were dedicated to student success. I've loved my experience in both programs! read more

Went to school here and got my A.A. degree. This is a great college start for people who want to save money on tuition cost, complete generals and go off to a 4 year college. *Parking sucks! read more

They give no information on what the process of fully becoming a student is. Once you finally figure out what you need to complete and go into their student help offices the lines are ridiculous and there is always a form or sheet you need to have printed out that no one told you about. My teacher for my summer course is great but the school itself is horrible. I paid five dollars to park to wait in line for 20 minutes to take a photo to be turned away because I didn't have my schedule printed out, I could pull it up on my phone if I wanted to go to the back of the line and wait another half an hour for my photo ID card. I have multiple times dealt with staff who have no idea why they are talking about and constantly need to ask someone else who usually also has no idea. Wish I wouldn't have bothered going here for the summer. read more

The faculty and staff really seem to care about their students and are knowledgeable. People are friendly and welcoming. Great education and wonderful resources. read more