The Cost of Online College Courses - Closer To Traditional School Fees Than Many Expect
There's a good deal of misunderstanding out there about the cost of online college courses, and all e-learning for that matter.
Although there are lots of shortcuts available if you want a low-quality degree from a "diploma mill" or non-accredited online institution, the fact is that if you want to study at a respectable school, the cost of distance learning courses is usually about the same as traditional classes.
That, however, doesn't mean you'll spend anywhere near as much money to get an online degree as you would to attend a bricks and mortar college for four years.
Naturally, your biggest saving will come from the fact that you'll live at home while studying.
Students at traditional college can spend tens of thousands of dollars on room and board over four years, particularly if their school is in a major city.
You also tend to pay for online learning on a "per-course" basis.
That's important, because it gives you flexibility to stretch out your schedule if events in your life make it necessary.
In most cases, when a full-time student at a traditional school doesn't complete the required credits within four years, he or she has to pay for every additional semester needed to finish the degree.
If you study at a state school, you may also get a unique benefit from the "distance" in distance education.
Most state colleges and universities charge a huge premium (sometimes almost double the basic tuition) for on-campus students who are not residents of their particular state.
There's almost never a premium charged to out-of-state e-learners.
Cost differences: Traditional and Distance Learning: Most three credit-hour courses online run from $700 to $900 - a charge that's roughly comparable to the fees at most mid-range traditional schools.
That means that a full online degree, including textbooks and other supplies needed, will probably require an investment of more than $30,000 on your part.
Certificate degrees, even at a fairly high professional level, can cost less because they involve fewer courses.
For example, a certificate degree in supervisory skills at Cornell eLearning, a top school, currently costs about $3,800.
It requires 11 courses.
There are several options you can use to defray the cost of online college courses.
If you are currently employed, particularly by a mid to large-sized company, you may be able to get a the company to fund some or evel all of the cost of online college courses.
The federal government, which has traditionally given grants only to on-campus students, has shown more flexibility in recent years about giving financial aid to online students.
For comparison's sake, keep in mind that if you choose to go the traditional college route, there are many state and private schools where your total cost of a degree will be far, far more than $30,000.
Although there are lots of shortcuts available if you want a low-quality degree from a "diploma mill" or non-accredited online institution, the fact is that if you want to study at a respectable school, the cost of distance learning courses is usually about the same as traditional classes.
That, however, doesn't mean you'll spend anywhere near as much money to get an online degree as you would to attend a bricks and mortar college for four years.
Naturally, your biggest saving will come from the fact that you'll live at home while studying.
Students at traditional college can spend tens of thousands of dollars on room and board over four years, particularly if their school is in a major city.
You also tend to pay for online learning on a "per-course" basis.
That's important, because it gives you flexibility to stretch out your schedule if events in your life make it necessary.
In most cases, when a full-time student at a traditional school doesn't complete the required credits within four years, he or she has to pay for every additional semester needed to finish the degree.
If you study at a state school, you may also get a unique benefit from the "distance" in distance education.
Most state colleges and universities charge a huge premium (sometimes almost double the basic tuition) for on-campus students who are not residents of their particular state.
There's almost never a premium charged to out-of-state e-learners.
Cost differences: Traditional and Distance Learning: Most three credit-hour courses online run from $700 to $900 - a charge that's roughly comparable to the fees at most mid-range traditional schools.
That means that a full online degree, including textbooks and other supplies needed, will probably require an investment of more than $30,000 on your part.
Certificate degrees, even at a fairly high professional level, can cost less because they involve fewer courses.
For example, a certificate degree in supervisory skills at Cornell eLearning, a top school, currently costs about $3,800.
It requires 11 courses.
There are several options you can use to defray the cost of online college courses.
If you are currently employed, particularly by a mid to large-sized company, you may be able to get a the company to fund some or evel all of the cost of online college courses.
The federal government, which has traditionally given grants only to on-campus students, has shown more flexibility in recent years about giving financial aid to online students.
For comparison's sake, keep in mind that if you choose to go the traditional college route, there are many state and private schools where your total cost of a degree will be far, far more than $30,000.