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January 30, 2025

La Roche University and Butler County Community College Introduce Cost-Saving Path to Bachelor’s Degrees

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30, 2025 – La Roche University and Butler County Community College (BC3) have partnered to offer BC3 graduates a streamlined and cost-efficient way to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Effective immediately, the agreement offers BC3 students several benefits when transferring to La Roche University with an associate degree earned since May 2013:
  • 40 percent tuition discount: BC3 graduates will pay a discounted per-credit tuition rate, lowering the cost of their education at La Roche.
  • Waived academic core: BC3 graduates will be exempt from La Roche’s full academic core requirements, allowing them to focus on major coursework. Students will only need to complete a nine-credit abbreviated core, including English and math courses.
  • Junior status: Students transferring at least 60 credit hours of eligible coursework will be granted junior status in La Roche’s bachelor’s programs, helping them to graduate sooner.
“We are excited to offer BC3 graduates a seamless transfer process, and we believe this agreement will give students a smoother and more efficient pathway toward earning their bachelor’s degrees,” said Dr. Howard Ishiyama, La Roche University provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to working with BC3 on further initiatives that create broader opportunities for students.”

The agreement applies to a broad range of undergraduate programs at La Roche, including Psychology, Medical Imaging, and Cybersecurity & Forensics. La Roche will accept credits earned through standardized exams, military experience or other institutions. Students can transfer these credits with an official transcript from the original institution, and La Roche will evaluate them on a per-course basis.
Under the agreement, BC3 graduates with at least 60 transferable credit hours and a GPA of 2.0 or higher can transfer directly into La Roche’s bachelor’s programs. To earn a La Roche degree, students must complete their final 30 semester credits at La Roche, regardless of their transfer class status.
“This collaboration presents yet another pathway for students to move forward seamlessly in their educational pursuits and simplifies the transition from the community college to the four-year institution,” said BC3 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Belinda Richardson. “This unique partnership positions students for academic and professional success while easing the financial burden of attaining a higher education.”
For more details on transfer options and benefits, students should contact the BC3 Transfer Office or visit laroche.edu/advantage.
About La Roche University: An independent liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 68 undergraduate programs of study, seven master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior architecture & design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for women and men enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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