Prospective Student Frequently Asked Questions KWU

Why Choose KWU for Your Online Education?

The decision to continue your education is an important one.

At Key West University, we strive to assist all prospective students make the right educational choices in support of their career goals.

The following page is designed to provide individuals who are considering applying to KWU, with answers to the most frequently asked questions received by our Admissions team.

• Will earning a KWU Bachelor’s Degree make a difference in my career?

  • Research and data available on this topic indicate that obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree has a positive impact on an individual’s ability to get a job and earn a higher income. According to a recent survey of over 2,000 25–32 year-olds conducted by the Pew Research Center¹, college graduates in this age group who were working full time earned approximately $17,500 more annually, than young adults holding only a high school diploma. Those with a college degree were also significantly less likely to be unemployed than those with just a high school diploma (3.8% vs. 12.2%).
  • Similar findings were reported by the College Board, who reported that the typical Bachelor’s degree holder can expect to earn about 66% more during a 40-year working life than the typical high school graduate earns over the same period².

  ¹Pew Research Center (Feb. 11, 2014). The Rising Cost of Not Going to College. Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/02/11/the-rising-cost-of-not-going-to-college

  ²The College Board (2009). Lifetime Earnings by Education Level. Retrieved from https://trends.collegeboard.org/education-pays/figures-tables/lifetime-earnings-education-level

• I feel stuck in my current job. How will earning an online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at KWU help to accelerate my career?

  According to the results of a 2017 survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report³, graduates of online MBA programs reported an average salary increase of 22%, three months after graduation. Salary increases reported could be attributed to assuming more challenging responsibilities in one’s current role, job promotions, accepting new job offers at a different company, and changing one’s career direction.

  ³Friedman, J. (May 23,2017). U.S. News Data: The Average Online MBA Student. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/higher-education/online-education/articles/2017-05-23/us-news-data-the-average-online-mba-student

• Is it possible to combine studying in a KWU degree program with work and my personal life?

  • KWU’s degree programs are delivered 100% online. The flexible learning formats of our programs enable working adults to combine their studies with other professional and personal commitments. There are no requirements to attend online lectures at fixed times. At KWU, we like to call this Work/ Life/ Study balance!
  • On average, students taking a maximum course load in a trimester should plan to dedicate 15 hours a week to their studies. This time will be spent learning and reviewing course materials, communicating with other students and professors in an online environment, and completing projects and assignments related to your degree program.

• I’ve never studied online before. How does online education differ from traditional, classroom-based instruction?

  • Online learning is one of the most convenient ways for adults with busy lives to obtain a quality education. Unlike classroom-based learning, online learners are not required to attend classes at a specific time and location. Instead, students are expected to spend on average 10–15 hours per week studying course materials and completing related assignments.
  • Course materials are available to students on a 24/7  a basis, apart from planned system maintenance. Students have the flexibility to choose what days and times are most convenient for them to study. However, they need to organize and manage their time effectively to meet deadlines for submitting assignments.
  • Another important aspect of online education is the student’s ability to communicate online, in written format. Students and professors get to know each other and work together through interactive chat forums and emails.
  • Some courses also include opportunities to participate in web conferences. These are recorded and available for students to play back at their convenience. All projects and assignments are submitted by students, through KWU’s online learning platform. Instructors use the same platform to provide written feedback to students and assign grades.
  • Students should feel comfortable initiating communication with instructors and Personal Learning Advisors (PLAs) when they have questions related to their coursework or how to use functionality in the KWU online learning platform. The KWU staff is focused on assisting students to successfully complete each course in their program of study.

• How quickly can I complete my degree?

  The answer to this question largely depends on if you have earned academic credits at another institution of higher learning that can be counted towards your degree at KWU. For further information regarding transferring credits to Key West University, please refer to the Admissions section of our website, or contact a KWU Admissions Representative.

  Students pursuing degrees at KWU, who do not have credits to transfer, can complete their degrees within the following minimum timeframes:

  • Bachelor’s degree: 4 years
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree: 18 months
  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree: 3 years

• What are the computer requirements related to online study at KWU?

  KWU students are expected to have access to:

  • A computer or laptop
  • Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint- version 2007 or higher)
  • Web browser
  •  A stable internet connection, with a minimum connection speed of 256 Kbps

  Some courses may require Adobe Flash Player or Adobe Reader.

• Do I need to purchase books or additional materials for my courses?

  KWU tuition prices are inclusive of all learning materials required to complete your coursework. There are no additional hidden fees or costs. Students can access course materials through the university’s online learning platform (Moodle) and E-libraries (EBSCO and LIRN).

• Will my KWU diploma indicate that my degree program was completed online?

  Diplomas awarded by Key West University do not indicate that a degree program was completed online.
  Employers are increasingly aware of the high quality of instruction and value offered by online universities. They also recognize the high level of motivation and advanced organizational skills required by students, to successfully complete their online programs of study. These same skills can help graduates build successful careers in their chosen professions.

• Does Key West University admit international students?

  Key West University welcomes applications from international students. Our faculty and staff are committed to supporting international students who are admitted to our programs to successfully complete their studies. All prospective students must meet program admission requirements, prior to enrolling in KWU programs. For additional information, please consult the Admissions section of this website, or contact a KWU Admissions Representative.

• How much does tuition cost?

  KWU degree programs are competitively priced to meet the financial needs of a broad range of students.

  Tuition rates for the 2023/2024 academic year:

  • Bachelor’s Degree Programs: $167.00 per credit hour
  • Master’s Degree Programs: $264.00 per credit hour
  • Doctorate Degree Programs: $325.00 per credit hour

  All E-books and learning materials are included in the cost of tuition.

  • Application Fee
    A $50.00 nonrefundable application fee is charged at the time of application for all KWU programs.
  • Registration Fee
    A $50.00 one-time nonrefundable registration fee is charged at the time of enrollment.

  For further information, please consult the Tuition and Financial Information section of our website or contact a KWU Admissions Representative.

• Is financial aid available?

  • All KWU students who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible to enroll in affordable tuition payment plans, which are administered by TFC Tuition Financing.
  • International students are currently not eligible to enroll in tuition payment plans.
  • For nearly 50 years, TFC Tuition has been a respected leader in student financing, helping students to achieve the professional career of their dreams. TFC makes education affordable for KWU students who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, by offering a wide range of payment options, and an online portal to manage your own account. Financing is available even if you don’t have great credit or a strong financial history.

  Note: Currently, Key West University does not participate in national, state or local financial aid programs for students, including Title IV loans.

  For further information, please consult the Tuition and Financial Information section of our website or contact a KWU Admissions Representative.

• When can I begin my studies?

  Key West University operates on a trimester system. Each trimester consists of 10 weeks of instruction. Program dates and student breaks for 2025/2026 are included in the chart below.

  • Fall Trimester
  • Registration Deadline
    Oct 6
  • Start Date
    Oct 14
  • End Date
    Dec 21
  • Winter Break
    Dec 22, 2025 — Jan 25, 2026

  • Spring Trimester
  • Registration Deadline
    Jan 26
  • Start Date
    Feb 2
  • End Date
    Apr 12
  • Spring Break
    Apr 13, 2026 — May 10, 2026

  • Summer Trimester
  • Registration Deadline
    May 4
  • Start Date
    May 11
  • End Date
    Jul 19
  • Summer Break
    Jul 20, 2026 — Oct 11, 2026

• Where can I find more information about student testimonials?

  Check Out Student Testimonials.