Unbound™ Is A Robust Alternative to Traditional Higher Education in the U.S.

Christian-led and student-oriented, Unbound™ is dedicated to training young adults to thrive in the real world. Through practical skills training, hands-on projects, and a series of live events, Unbound™ students are equipped for both personal and professional success whether they want to launch a career, pursue a trade, or go into ministry. 

It comes as no surprise that over the past few years, the perception of the importance of a university degree has significantly dropped among adults in the U.S.  

According to Gallup, only 41% of Americans between 18 and 29 view college education as “very important,” a number that dropped from 74% in six years.  

So why are we seeing these statistics? For many, it comes down to cost and access.  

In a recent report from New America, only 53% of Americans 18 years and older think high-quality post-secondary education is accessible. Yet, a game-changer for gaining a competitive edge when entering the workforce is having soft skills (professionalism, communication, critical thinking, etc.), a key part of obtaining a higher education. 

That begs the question, if Americans lack access to high-quality higher education, what’s the solution?  

The Christian organization Unbound™ has the answer: provide students with an alternative to traditional higher education with their remote-hybrid training program, which focuses on life skills, leadership development, and resume-worthy experiences. Why? Because these signal to employers the kind of real-world education gained. 

One of the many unique parts of Unbound™ is its offerings, which include degree and non-degree paths and high-level certificates. As stated by Harvard Business Review, “In today’s fast-changing world, a university degree isn’t the only road to success. In fact, data shows that only 25% of college graduates would choose to pursue the same educational path if they could do it again. On top of that, 41% say they would instead get a certificate that would instantly qualify them for an in-demand job.” 

Not all employers require a bachelor’s degree to be considered for a position. Yet, the soft skills gained through higher education remain paramount in the current competitive labor market and can boost your chance of getting hired amongst a pool of candidates. At Unbound™, that’s exactly what they offer. With practical skills training, hands-on projects, and live student events, Unbound™ is an elite, higher-ticket alternative to traditional post-secondary education. But more than that, they enable students to live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way.  

“The primary strength of your Unbound™ education is how it teaches you to learn on your own,” says Jonathan Brush, President & CEO of Unbound™. “When you earn your degree using Unbound™, your primary skill—the one that’s even more important than whatever you majored in—should be quickly and effectively mastering complicated information.” 

“It's amazing what an employer would do to get the quality of employee they're looking for,” says VP of Sales and Operations Ellie Smith. “We've had business owners come to us and say, ‘How much is your program?’ And mid-level, it's around $10,000 to $11,000. And they respond by saying, ‘We would pay that annually to get access to your students.’”  

“There’s a better way to do college,” the organization states. That’s where their nationally accessible Ascend program comes in, dedicated to developing exceptional leaders by providing the tools, community, and experiences to help young adults thrive and live a purpose-filled life.  

The Ascend program offers an installment plan pay structure for students—but don’t let the cost alone dictate its effectiveness. A core mission at Unbound™ is helping students prepare for the professional world through project-based education rather than solely focusing on attending classes, taking tests, and writing papers. When you enroll at Unbound™, you can expect not only to gain exceptional practical skills but also 1-3 years of resume-worthy skills and experience, a national network and community, high-level certificates in leadership and  professional development, and an employment guarantee for all students who successfully complete all three years, earning all associated certificates.  

Despite it being a remote program for accessibility reasons, Unbound™ believes the ideal way to learn soft skills is through in-person interaction, an aspect not available for a majority of remote programs. 

“If we're going to teach you these soft skills and we're going to help you build healthy relationships, we need to have you face to face with each other,” says Smith. “We bring students together quarterly for live events. Every twelve weeks, students in the program fly to various locations with the rest of their class. And those are five-day events.” 

During the period between these events, Unbound™ encourages students to invest in their local communities by building relationships and fostering a sense of purpose to ultimately lend itself to their future careers. But that’s not all that makes the education organization stand out from the rest. 

The difference? The team at Unbound™ truly cares about its students, and whether Christian or not, does not require students to share that same value. Since its inception, the company has been focused on providing students in the U.S. with practical skills training to embrace a different way to prepare for a successful future that doesn't rest on a degree; that goes for students 16 years and older of any faith background.  

And don’t take Unbound™’s word for it—the student testimonials speak for themselves: 

“Ascend has pushed me outside of my comfort zone within a supportive network of friends. My critical thinking skills have improved, and the relationships in my life have flourished because I have been given tools that have grown my character.” — Tim F., Ascend Alumnus. 

Preparing for the real world is no longer dependent on earning a higher education. At Unbound™, you can receive the training you really need to gain the practical skills, hands-on experience, and community to thrive. 

To learn more about Unbound™ and find out how you can become a student, visit their website and schedule an appointment today!  

At long last, an alternative to traditional higher education is within reach.