Work out your tuition budget by comparing costs of different programs.
Online degrees are becoming an option more and more enticing for professionals returning to school and even for first-time undergraduate students. Lois Romano of "The Washington Post" said, "Online enrollment, including multiple courses taken by a single student, jumped from 1.98 million in 2003 to 2.35 million the following year, accounting for seven percent of post-secondary education, according to Eduventures, a Boston firm that studies trends in education."
As the economy recovers from the recession, some students find it necessary to work while they go to school. According to VotechDirect.com, "For undergraduates, tuition generally ranges from $200 to $350 per unit. For graduate and doctoral courses, tuition will range from $300 to $600, or much more at elite schools or for specialized graduate degrees such as an MBA." Finding the best program for your money at an accredited college or university requires some research but is worth the time and effort.
Instructions
1. The program you choose may not be from an accredited university.
Identify exactly which program you are interested in. This makes it easier to narrow down the colleges you have to choose from when you are researching tuition information. Some programs are from accredited schools, and some are not. Make sure you are looking at a nationally or regionally accredited program.
2. Online school directories are a good starting point to learn more about online degrees.
Visit an online directory of online education programs like www.elearners.com. These sites give you basic information about different schools and programs. You can learn background on the schools and the types of degrees offered.
3. Send away for information from each program you are considering.
Request information from each university or college you are considering. The online degree directories provide links to tuition and program information. You can also contact schools directly to find out more about tuition and financial aid.
4. Compare your choices.
Compare your options. To make sure you are getting the best program for your money, look closely at how long the courses you are considering will last. You don't want your degree to take a year longer than you've got to spend. You might consider an alternative certification course instead.
Consider whether it will be difficult for you to submit your work by deadlines if you live in a time zone far from your school. If you need to visit the campus for any reason, you want to make sure that you can get there. If you live far from the school, ensure that there are measures in place that allow easy communication between you and the staff and faculty.
In addition to the prices per credit hour or other unit, look at the extra fees that each school tacks on. You don't want to pay for a student recreation center in Delaware when you live in Oregon. Consider the price of books as well. See if the school's bookstore has an online section and if they offer a wide selection of used books in your subject area.
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