MOOCs
Did you know? Many online courses can be completely free of charge. Called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), these online courses are designed to be open and available to the general public. Held by some of the best schools in the country like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, MOOCs are accessible to a wide range of groups and circumstances-including international students. Success in these courses often provide a verified certificate upon completion, which can be a useful asset added to a resume or portfolio.
The downside to MOOCs, however, is that they generally award no college credit.
Lower Costs
I’ve been mentioning the lower cost potential of online college everywhere in this article, but let’s devote some time to fleshing out the full benefits. The fact that online programs are cheaper when compared to the ones held in a traditional campus setting is enough to convince you to consider them.
The average tuition for online courses depends on multiple factors, so it varies from one program to another. Because of this, it may be important to do a budget analysis associated with earning the degree. I won’t go into the specific numbers here, but a lot of the costs associated with a traditional undergraduate program aren’t faced when pursuing an online degree.
Here are the most common expenses for an online class:
- Tuition: The cost for the credits the classes are valued at. Online schools may offer variable payment options such as delayed due date, tiered tuition rates, and interest-free monthly payments.
- Technology: You’ll have to cover upkeep for tech support, computer fees, and the costs of online learning management systems. You will also have to buy digital versions of the books and software the class requires.
- Other Fees: Online colleges may charge additional fees, such as for lab work, clinical courses, exam proctoring, and more. Check with administration so you know all the potential charges.
Here are the most common expenses for brick-and-mortar colleges:
- Tuition & Registration
- Room and board: The cost of housing and meal plans for students living on campus.
- Textbooks and supplies: According to the College Board, the average four-year student at a public university spends about $1,100 a semester on books and other course materials, which comes to about $8,800 for a bachelor’s degree program.
- Transportation: For students living off campus or for extracurricular activities, students need to devise a means to get to where they need to go.
- Personal Expenses: Students should consider nonacademic costs such as laundry, cell phone bills and takeout food as personal expenses.