Online Classes Fuse Comfort with Price
Convenience is defined as anything that adds to one’s ease or comfort, and Americans are willing to pay a premium for that service. We tip a valet attendant to park our vehicle. We pay the outrageous markup for a bottle of soda at a convenient store. And we are more than willing to pay the pizza delivery man to deliver that pie right to our doorstep on Friday night. So given our clear propensity to shell out the greenback for life’s simple pleasures it only stands to reason that enrolling in an online college degree program would cost more than a traditional college, right? Think again.
According to collegeboard.com the average cost of tuition at a private four year college is $25,143 per year. When you add room and board, books, supplies, and transportation that average cost soars to $35,374. In today’s world it’s hard to imagine anyone can afford that, which is why the majority of students enroll in more affordable state schools.
Penn State will run you $5,957 per semester or $11,914 per year for in-state residents (that cost nearly doubles for those out of state). Incoming freshman at Michigan State can expect to pay $5,107 per semester or $10,214 per year.
Now consider an online degree program where most three credit courses run between $800 – $1,000. That will cost you between $4,000 and $5,000 per semester for five classes, or $8,000 to $10,000 per year.
One of the most well respected names in the online education world is the University of Phoenix. And while their costs exceed the $800-$1,000 marker they do offer an extensive list of degree programs and hold a desirable regional accreditation. To pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Management you can expect to pay $515 per credit hour, or $1,545 for a three credit course.
At Kaplan University undergraduate programs cost $353 per credit hour (though each class is typically 5 credits). Keep in mind those figures also include books and course materials. It can get a little confusing when comparing numbers so I’ve listed five key questions you should ask when exploring online programs.
Key questions
- How many credits is a typical class
- Does the cost include books and course materials
- Can I enroll anytime (typically yes)
- Can I finish my degree program early (typically yes)
- What type of accreditation do you hold (regional is best)
Search over 200 accredited online colleges and more than 2,000 online degree programs to find the online education program that’s right for you.
ScholarshipPoints code: FUSECANDP
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Online classes are good for people like me. I am a wife, mother of four beautiful girls and I have a full time job. This makes it easier to better my self with out having a set time for class.
I took an online class once it was hard, but who knows maybe i’ll give it another try.this article was very helpful and interesting
i think this is very true for some people
I always liked online classes, but I never thought they could less expesive, but it really wouldn’t matter to me, Online is better.
I am a visual leaner.I want to be in class.
Wow!
It’s a good idea for older people or those who don’t really want the campus experience. I personally would rather have the college living experience regardless of the cost of tuition
UPDATE—Well like I mentioned to you peeps earlier. You can always take your online classes from a local college as well (like EVIE mentioned she’s going back to). I take the classes that I KNOW I wouldnt like to sit in online and the ones that would require my attention more on campus. Trust me, after sitting there listening to a teach BLAH BLAH all the time. I’d fall asleep and not know anything that happened hahah! And some classes are just str8 boring or could be harder, so taking them online can sometimes be easier. They can give you extra assignments to help you out. Some of my teachers even give BONUS POINTS
aannd they allow you to finish the whole course ahead of time if you like. The only thing you’d have to come back online to do are forum discussions (if the teacher does them, one of mines doesnt) because if you’re doing them ahead of everyone. You’ll have to come back online at different assignment date to reply to the late students replies. So all in all, mines are going alright this semester. My tuition was only $1500 this semester, including the fees.
I did online it was convinient but not worth the price. I did Pheonix University and they are good but to be honest my student loan is not and I did not even get to finish I am going back to my local community college.
this was a very informative article, especially since I plan on taking online college courses after I graduate this year.
This was a very well written article and it informed me.
Very interesting article.
All this hype about online classes! I believe a college experience is meant for someone to be at the campus.
It was very informative !
wow,didnt kno online classes were that cheap,but anyway think i’ll stick to the on campus experience!!!!
WOW! That is a big difference.
I’m going to consider online classes instead.
Thanxs
Quiet frankly, I’d much rather prefer actually taking classes in person, rather than online. I always feel like I miss out on the world if I’m just always home. Besides, taking classes in person provides a much more detailed view of the courses. On top of that, collaboration with classmates in person is something that’s crucial in our lives, because it helps prepare us for communication out in the real world.
Still Wouldnt Do It I Love The Environment
who ever knew that knowledge would be so costly?
I always wonderd about online classes ….. great info
these aticles are very helpful..
I need to be on campus in class I donot think a online class is for me I need hand on, person to person to talk to
just recently enrolled to online college and ..it definately is confusing …but i have no other way to complete school unless online for now so its a good thing actually!
im very interested!!!!!
I don’t plan on getting an online degree.
On-line classes are ok, but for me I need hands on. I like to discuss situation.
This information is exactly what I need to expand my options. It’s good research
Wow. Thanks for the research! I guess I always thought that online tuition was higher or equal to that of a private college. This is good news to me!
good idea. cheaper, but it might be difficult without a teacher there.
Great article! You definitely need to research prices before deciding where to attend. The good news is there are A LOT of colleges out there that are affordable. I found it helpful to work with a counselor throughout my college search. Admissions Counselors should be available at any school to answer your questions, like Iowa Central College and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. They are the best!
I believe it is important to experience education in a person to person setting, in a classroom.
still not convinced
although Internet study might be optional, some people don’t even have internet and have to go to the public library, and is not as efficient as to hands on training.
very interesting…
excuse me. I made an error. I meant, went to a COMMUNITY* college and $70 a credit hour. Still the tuition was and still is cheap, since I’m still going haha
Well actually taking online classes from a College University can be even cheaper than taking the ones they mention or that you see on television. You can even take them at a community college and it would be even CHEAPER, then transfer you basics to another college. A lot of community colleges now are working with the big universities to expand education and allow it to be cheaper
Oh and this is from the experience from some one who’s went to a University and went to a college that waz only $70 a semester. My tuition wasn’t more than 1000 a semester (including books) 
Dang, nice! I like it!
coool thT LOOKS AWSOME
I always knew that online schooling was cheaper, but I know I will slack off.
I am about to start an online program!! Good reading.
I am pursuing my bachelor degree at Devry University right now and it is costing $550 per credit hour and most classes are 3-4credits.
Wow this was very informative.
I so understand the point… Why spend more, when you can save less
i feel like online classes will take over one day!
This is very interesting.. I never realized how cheap online classes are.. This is definetly something I will look into.
I learned a few things I did not know!
I guess online classes really are a good option! It’s better than not going to school at all right?!
That is nice to know!
I am currently completeing my degree on-line. I really enjoy the flexability of on-line classes as I work full time and have a family.
Easy to get informations needed to learn
Seriously, on line classes is the only way I can pursue my Master’s Degree.
very good informative article
Online classes rock! Saves a lot on gas money and I can go to school whenever I feel like it and even in my pajamas if I want.
Online classess I loved them because the way my schedule was with my fulltime job and daughter, that was what worked best for me. You have to be disciplined though.
Good article -helpful
At the college im going to. Online courses seem like a better option for students
I am experiencing online classes for the first time this summer and I love it. They do have their pros and cons, but I guess it works for those who are looking for a more slow course and want to have time for their family. One of the problems, however, is that sometimes online classes (like at my college) include extra fees just because they are through the internet…weird. Overall, I think they are VERY GOOD!!!
I’m starting to like these articles. Not biased, exactly as it should be.
Wow. I guess my preconceived notion of Online Programs was that they were sub-par, but costs are such a burden when you’re trying to pay for higher education. It’s a good thing online programs of good quality exist for those who want what’s golden, and at a reasonable and less scary cost.
I thought it was very informative.
Good article with just the facts.
I am enjoying my on-campus courses and am not interested in on-line classes at this time.
very interesting!
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