STEUBENVILLE — Graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College now have an opportunity to obtain bachelor’s degrees for less cost and without leaving this area, thanks to an agreement signed Friday by EGCC President John Crooks and David Decker, president of Franklin University.

On Friday, the two announced the 121-year-old Columbus-based university will offer EGCC graduates online courses needed to earn a four-year degree at a discount of $100 per credit hour.

Decker noted a partnership between the schools was forged in 2003, with about 1,800 EGCC alumni going on to further their education at Franklin, with another 200 enrolling this year through its Pathway Portal, a new online tool allowing prospective transfer students to explore four-year degrees they may earn.

Decker said one of the great strengths of the United States is the many diverse opportunities for citizens to further their educations. But he said a flaw of that same educational system has been, until recent years, a lack of connection between many of its institutions of higher learning.

As a result, graduates of community colleges who want to go on to pursue four-year degrees often have been forced to repeat classes they didn’t need to repeat, resulting in a loss of time and money.

Decker said through the Pathway Portal, prospective students can see, at a glance, what it will take for them to earn a bachelor’s degree through Franklin.

Samantha Shear, executive director of Franklin’s Community College Alliance, said the portal eases the application process for new students in various ways, including the submission of current college transcripts.

Melanie DiCarlo, EGCC’s director of articulation and transfer, noted the portal’s users also have access to an enrollment adviser at Franklin who is available to assist them step by step.

“There’s always someone there who can help them,” she said.

Decker and Crooks said the arrangement can help to meet a growing demand for certain professionals.

Decker said, “In Ohio, there’s a drastic shortage of nurses, and we’re approaching a shortage of teachers.”

He said Franklin University is helping to meet that need, with about 400 students pursuing degrees in nursing and more than 750 students in its education program, which includes master’s and doctorate degrees and licenses required of principals.

Decker added Franklin has sent student teachers into more than 300 school districts.

Crooks said the schools are alike in many ways, including their desire to meet the needs of all students, including those with work, family and other commitments that make obtaining a college education more challenging.

“We’re meeting students where they’re at,” he said, noting online courses enable working parents and others to fit a college education into their schedules.

Before signing the agreement, Crooks introduced Deanna DiNardo, an EGCC graduate who has benefited from online instruction.

DiNardo said after earning an associate degree in nursing from the college, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field through Franklin while working full-time, mostly nights, at Weirton Medical Center.

After enrolling at Franklin this year, she expects to complete the program by next summer.

“I would definitely recommend this to my friends, co-workers, everyone,” she said.