Rivet School
General Core Program
A college experience built for real life. One-on-one support to help you earn your bachelor’s degree online, in as little as 2-3 years, and for an average of $3,500 out of pocket per year. All without leaving your job.
1503 Macdonald Ave, Suite A, Richmond, CA 94801
Program at a glance
2392
Total cost2-3 years
Program length-
Completion rate~$95K
Median grad salaryRivet School accepts fellows on a rolling basis, with new onboarding cohorts starting every two months throughout the year.
No experience required
Program Philosophy
Millions of adults have started college but never finished, not because they lack ability, but because life gets in the way. Rivet School was built on the belief that with the right support, adult learners can succeed. We partner with Southern New Hampshire University to give fellows access to an affordable, accredited online degree, and pair them with a dedicated coach who meets them where they are. We treat fellows as whole people with complex lives, prioritizing consistent effort and working to remove the barriers that make finishing a degree harder for working adults.
Started in 2018
Visit program website
Best For
Working adults who want to pursue an online bachelor's degree, especially students who have tried college in the past
Time Commitment
Work at your own pace, on your own schedule. Move as fast as you want to finish your associate degree or bachelor degree. Optional in-person coaching meetings, co-working spaces, and group study sessions available.
What You'll Gain
One-on-one coaching to help adult learners earn an affordable bachelor's degree
Cost & Outcomes
program cost
Tuition is $2,392 per 16-week term (about $7,175/year before financial aid), with no extra fees or textbook costs. After federal grants and loans, students pay $3,500 per year out of pocket on average to earn their degree — and a 6-week onboarding trial is free before any financial commitment.
how altAid funding can help
Food, childcare, or utility bills while enrolled, laptop repairs or internet access, gas or car repairs to maintain work, professional clothing for career-related activities, and other emergency expenses that threaten your progress.*
Completion rate (most recent cohort)*
Employment rate within 1 year~$95K
The median salary for Elementary School Teacher*
Total graduates since foundingWho This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
Competency-based learning: earn credits by demonstrating mastery, not seat time
Partnership with Southern New Hampshire University for a regionally-accredited, affordable online degree
Six-week free onboarding trial before any financial commitment
No textbooks or additional fees beyond tuition
Transfer-friendly: bring in existing credits or an associate degree to fast-track completion
Dedicated one-on-one coaching tailored to your life and schedule
A community built specifically for adult learners balancing work, school, and family
Career support and resources to help fellows grow professionally alongside their degree
Day in the Life
Daily Structure
- Self-paced online coursework completed on your own schedule from home, work, or a Rivet School co-working space
- Competency-based assignments through Southern New Hampshire University. Show what you know with projects, no traditional tests or required attendance.
- Regular coach check-ins via text, email, and one-on-one virtual meetings
- Continual access to your coach whenever questions or challenges come up
- Optional group study sessions with peers
- Access to tutoring when needed
- Career coaching and planning sessions as applicable
📄 Instructor Credentials
Rivet School coaches are trained professionals with backgrounds in advising, education, and social services, dedicated to supporting adult learners through every stage of their degree journey.
Skills Gained
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
Highs & Lows
hardest part
Balancing school with the demands of work, family, and everyday life is the most common challenge fellows face. Adult learners are often juggling jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and financial pressures on top of their coursework. That's exactly why the coaching relationship is so central to what Rivet does - fellows aren't expected to figure it out alone.
most rewarding part
For many fellows, earning their degree is something they've been working toward for years, sometimes decades. Crossing that finish line and graduating, with a coach who has been in their corner the whole way, is a moment that represents far more than an academic credential. It's proof that with the right support, adults can accomplish goals that once felt out of reach.
Possible Career Outcomes
All academic programs at Rivet School enable you to earn a self-paced, affordable, and career-focused bachelor’s degree. Fellows pursuing education may move from paraprofessional or classroom aide roles into licensed teaching positions, instructional coaching, or school administration over time. Those in non-clinical healthcare careers may advance from entry-level coordinators or medical office roles into department management, operations leadership, or healthcare policy. Fellows in other fields can expect their bachelor's degree to serve as a foundation for promotions, leadership roles, and opportunities that were previously out of reach without a credential.
Employment Support
Degree Completion Support: Helping fellows earn an accredited bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University, a credential that opens doors to career advancement.
Career Coaching: One-on-one support from a dedicated coach to help fellows navigate professional goals alongside their academics.
Industry Focus: Specialized support for fellows pursuing careers in K-12 education and non-clinical healthcare.
Professional Skill Building: Development of communication, self-advocacy, and workplace skills that translate directly into career readiness.
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Hear From the Program
A
Alyssia
BA Graduate
Raised in Richmond, CA, Alyssia is a loving granddaughter, a first-generation college graduate, and a full-time educator. Alyssia's journey to a college degree is a story of perseverance. With a passion for working in education, she realized she could make the pivot from teacher’s aide to leading her own classroom. After completing her bachelor’s degree through SNHU and earning her teacher credential, Alyssia has now realized her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher in Richmond, giving back to the community that raised her.
How It Works
Submit the interest form, which opens the full application
Submit application (general information about yourself, complete a simplified sample project, financial aid readiness check)
3-5 days for application review, then you'll receive follow-up steps from an Admissions Coach
Once Admissions confirms you've met admission requirements, and if you have no credits to transfer, you'll confirm your intent to enroll and you're ready to start Onboarding! If you have credits to transfer, SNHU will complete a credit evaluation to confirm how many credits you can transfer. Once this is complete, you'll review your evaluation results with the Admissions team. Once Admissions confirms you've met the requirements, you'll confirm your intent to enroll and you're ready to start Onboarding!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.No. Rivet School partners with regionally accredited, non-profit universities (primarily SNHU) to enable students to earn bachelor's degrees. Students graduate with an accredited degree from SNHU and a certificate of completion from Rivet School.
No problem! No prior college experience or credits are required.
No. There are no GPA or SAT requirements for admission.
Traditionally, completing a bachelor degree with no transfer credits can take 4 years, but many of our fellows finish much faster because we use competency-based education. You earn credits by demonstrating mastery of material through projects and assessments, not by sitting through a set number of weeks. About 25% of students are on track to earn a BA in two years or less.
Most students spend 7-15 hours per week on schoolwork. There are no specific in-person requirements.
$2,392 per 16-week trimester (~$7,175/year). No extra fees or textbook costs. A 6-week free onboarding trial is included before any financial commitment.
Most students are eligible for federal aid including the Pell Grant.