Why NOLS Is Worth It

Credit: Betsy Winston
A glacial pond in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska.

Is NOLS Worth It?

 Absolutely. If you're seeking an adventure that doubles as a profound investment in your personal, academic, and professional growth. 

Standing at the forefront of experiential learning, NOLS weaves together lessons in leadership development, practical outdoor adventure skills, wilderness first aid training, risk management, and environmental stewardship in the most breathtaking locations.

Our courses challenge you with real-world scenarios, pushing you to sharpen your decision-making, teamwork, and leadership abilities in ways that far exceed what's possible with traditional classroom learning or professional development training. With the rich skills and personal development gained, NOLS students engage in a transformative process that extends well beyond the course, offering lasting value. 

So, perhaps the question is, are you prepared to invest in your journey toward remarkable growth and transformation?

The Value of Investing in Yourself

Stories of Transformation from Our Alumni

A student looks out over one of Utah's spectacular desert canyons with binoculars.

By the end, it felt like my semester helped show me who I want to be and what I want to choose to prioritize in my life. I pushed myself to try new things, to learn how to overcome hardships when things didn’t go as planned, and to be confident in my own leadership style. My incredible proctor, Amanda, and my other female instructors helped me to believe that I was capable of being a leader in an industry typically dominated by men. — Jun 15, 2022

Bella Drake NOLS Rockies

As a queer person of color, who has some amount of passing privilege in the cis white spaces of the outdoors, I am always on alert. What I did not anticipate from my NOLS Southwest Leaders of Color trip was that I would get to experience a type of easy breathing that I had yet to experience in outdoor spaces — the breath of a person who is seen, known, validated, and celebrated for who they are and what they experienced is deep and life-giving. It was healing to see people that held my own intersecting identities in guide roles, passing on the wisdom of NOLS while simultaneously honoring the wisdom that comes with being a person of color, or queer or feminine.  — Jun 1, 2022

Lauren Wong NOLS Southwest

NOLS helped me discover a new foundation that has changed my perspective on the world. Toward the end of my course, my instructors asked each one of us to go around in a circle and name one thing that the canyons had taught them that they could take back with them when NOLS had concluded — these were simple things about life that I didn’t even realize were imperative foundations to the way I see the world. This experience helped me realize that the life I see for myself is filled with joy, stability, and the feeling that I have the power to live the life that I want for myself, not the one that was chosen for me. — May 18, 2022

Max Meyers NOLS Rockies

Our Academic & Professional Edge

Our courses offer substantial academic benefits and are designed to complement college curricula and enhance gap year and gap semester experiences, providing an experiential and transferable educational journey that merges adventure with academia.

Students practice capsize drills at Beatriz in Bahia de Conception, Mexico.

The NOLS Diploma

Recognized by universities, employers, and professional circles alike, a National Outdoor Leadership School diploma is a symbol of your comprehensive achievements in leadership and outdoor education, demonstrating your commitment to personal growth and environmental stewardship and setting you apart in competitive environments.
Two girls stop for a break while backbacking in the Adirondacks

Transferable College Credit

NOLS is dedicated to integrating your wilderness education with academic achievements. Through partnerships with various universities, you have the opportunity to earn college credits while engaging in our immersive programs. These credits are often applicable to degrees in fields such as Environmental Science, Education, Leadership, and more. Aligning adventure with academia, NOLS helps you advance toward your degree in the most enriching settings.
Course participants white water rafting at the Gates of Lodore in Colorado.

Industry-Standard Certifications

Alongside the NOLS diploma, many of our courses provide the opportunity to earn additional certifications that are valued across various industries. Some of the certifications offered through our programs include Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Level 1 or 2 Instructor, Level 1 Avalanche Training, Rock Climbing Training, Rock Rescue Training, and Swiftwater Rescue Training.
Instructor course in the Wrangell Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, in Alaska.

Networking & Advancement

Joining a NOLS course not only immerses you in a community of passionate outdoor and leadership enthusiasts, fostering lasting friendships and professional connections but also equips you with impactful experiences. These experiences, from showcasing leadership and risk management to personal growth, are invaluable in enhancing resumes, application essays, and interviews, setting you apart as a dynamic and resilient academic or professional candidate.
Gap Year Students walking with local villagers from the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalaya.

A Commitment to Affordability

Financial Aid & Scholarships

At NOLS, we believe that anyone can be a leader and that everyone deserves the chance to explore and grow. Recognizing that the cost of our courses—which varies by duration, location, and skill focus—can be a barrier for some, we're committed to enhancing accessibility through a more flexible approach to affordability. 

To support this commitment, we offer a sliding scale of affordability for students in need. This means we're working towards adjusting the costs of our programs based on the financial situation of each applicant, reflecting our increased flexibility in payment options compared to previous years.

Through need-based financial aid, scholarships, and grants, we aim to alleviate the financial burden for those who qualify, ensuring that our transformative programs are within reach for a broader audience.

Students enjoy a chai stop along the trail while backpacking in India's Kumaon Himalaya.

Investing in Growth

The Lifelong Returns of a NOLS Journey

For many of our students, the ability to obtain college credit and continuing education units, cultivate versatile skills in leadership and risk management and achieve certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Avalanche training, or Swiftwater Rescue Training makes the financial investment worthwhile. Beyond these measurable gains, the profound experiences, enduring friendships, and personal growth that students encounter during their course are priceless rewards in themselves.

Not to mention, the cost-to-benefit ratio of a NOLS course often surpasses that of participating in a university's semester abroad program or joining a guided ecotour in Patagonia. You get more for what you pay for!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is NOLS worth the money?

NOLS courses have the power to change how people view the world around them. Every year, we have thousands of students say that NOLS is a worthy investment — not just for the course itself but for the enriching experience and continuous learning it offers. NOLS goes beyond traditional education and wilderness adventures, providing a deep and impactful journey that fosters personal, academic, and professional growth. Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to enhance leadership abilities, practical outdoor skills, and environmental stewardship. This comprehensive approach means that the skills and personal development acquired during each NOLS course deliver enduring value, transforming the financial commitment into a significant pathway toward continuous growth.

Does NOLS look good on a resume?

Absolutely. A NOLS diploma not only garners recognition and respect from universities, employers, and professional circles but also serves as a gateway to a close-knit and loyal community of NOLS alumni. This emblem of achievement in leadership and outdoor education marks you as a distinctive candidate in any competitive setting and the skills and experiences cultivated through NOLS courses—like leadership, risk management, and environmental stewardship—make your resume shine. 

Additionally, the connections formed with other NOLS alumni offer unique networking opportunities. As expressed by a prominent NOLS alum, "Every time I see NOLS on a resume, I make a personal effort to reach out to them. While not every interaction leads to employment, it identifies the individual as someone capable of contributing significantly to a strong team."

Does NOLS look good on a college application?

Yes, NOLS courses significantly enhance college applications by demonstrating a commitment to personal growth, leadership development, and environmental stewardship. The hands-on learning experience, the ability to earn college credits, and the development of critical life skills through NOLS are viewed positively by admissions committees, offering a unique edge to applicants.

What are the benefits of participating in a NOLS course?

NOLS courses offer a range of benefits, including leadership development, practical outdoor adventure skills, wilderness first aid training, risk management, and environmental stewardship. Participants gain transferable academic benefits, industry-standard certifications, and valuable life skills. The experience fosters personal growth, academic advancement, and professional development in unique and enriching settings.

What life skills and lessons are typically learned during a NOLS expedition?

Participants learn a variety of life skills, including decision-making, teamwork, leadership, resilience, and adaptability. NOLS expeditions also teach practical outdoor skills, environmental ethics, and risk management, alongside fostering a deep appreciation for nature and sustainability. Alumni stories highlight personal transformation,the discovery of self, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships.
In terms of personal and leadership development, what can one expect from a NOLS course?
NOLS courses offer unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Participants can expect to develop a strong sense of self, enhance their leadership style, and build confidence in their abilities to lead and work within teams. Courses are designed to push individuals out of their comfort zones, fostering growth, resilience, and a deep understanding of effective leadership in various situations.

How does the value provided by NOLS compare to the financial investment required?

The value of a NOLS course is well worth the financial investment when considering the breadth of skills, personal growth, and professional opportunities gained. In just one week of a NOLS course, participants learn to guide their own adventures, acquiring the confidence and skills to plan and execute outdoor expeditions independently. This hands-on experience is invaluable and unmatched by most other programs. Beyond the adventure, participants have the opportunity to earn college credits, valuable certifications, and a lifetime of benefits, including leadership skills, environmental stewardship, and personal development. These benefits often outweigh those of traditional semester abroad programs or guided tours. 

From a strictly financial perspective, a month-long NOLS course with a particular skills focus in a particular region is often more inexpensive than similar courses from other providers.

For example, a 30-day Rocky Mountain Backpacking Course for Ages 18+ offered through NOLS is notably $500-$1,000 less expensive than those offered by Outward Bound, providing similar or enhanced experiences at a more accessible price point. To further offset the monetary cost, NOLS also offers a sliding scale of affordability for students in need to make courses more accessible.
 


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