Similar to the creation of the 401(k), designed to assist families saving for retirement, Congress has responded to the need of families saving for college expenses by instituting a tax-favored savings vehicle. Created in 1996 and named the “529 Plan,” these state-backed plans allow for the saving of funds for secondary education on a tax deferred basis, with eventual withdrawals for educational e…
Comparison Chart for online degree costs? Is there a place where I can compare the different school’s fees?
I’d like to look into online degrees…masters or Phd, but it takes so long to get to the place where they disclose the fees. Does anyone know a site that has that up front? Since all the major universities have them now, I can understand the benefit of saying I have one from say, Penn State, but at the same price as an in-class one? I don’t see it as the same at all – no matter how hard they try to sell that concept.
I do not know of a comparison website for the cost of online programs (I have spent time myself looking for any types of comparisons relating to online programs). I am continuing to look.
About the pricing, I think you will generally find online programs to cost the same as or more than on campus programs. It has nothing to do with how good an online degree might be versus on campus, or with the fact that you are likely to take less of the instructors’ time if you are online than if you are on campus.
It has to do with the cost of delivering online programs.
1. Someone has to videotape the lectures, and that requires someone to be there, running the equipment, the whole time.
2. More preparation has to be done by the instructors, because online is actually an extra class section that they have to keep track of and grade (in some cases, instructors are compensated extra for their online work).
3. The lectures have to be made so that they can be streamed to you, on demand. The technology for doing that is readily available, but it is not yet cheap.
4. Separate websites have to be maintained where you can get class materials, check on homework assignments, get special announcements, etc.
5. The online programs that are run by online only universities are typically part of for-profit enterprises, so they must cover all of these costs and make a profit margin!
You sometimes see online programs with corporate sponsorships, and this helps to defray the cost. But without that, things can get tough for the school.
I know of one program at a major (nonprofit) university that operates at a loss, even with good enrollment.
Bottom line is that you, the student, pays heavily for the convenience of not having to physically attend class.
Handmade Expressions: Fighting Poverty Through Fair Trade
