After completing my degree with Excelsior

[LOC4ME]

I will be applying for masters of library science.

What is the most you would pay for grad school?

In an earlier post I was asking about application deadlines and graduation/degree conferral. There is a program that I can probably start in the Fall of 2011, but the total cost about $45k.

I know there are cheaper programs, but 1) there are no library schools in my state and 2) I don't have any academic letters of recommendation, which cuts out some of the other programs.

The other school I'm looking at doesn't require LOR, but I would prorbably miss the app deadline for Fall and not get in until Spring 2012. Though the cost would be around $22k.

I'm just so ready to get started in a regular career and I have to have my masters for that.

[bawhitsett]

Unless you have hellacious employer tuition assistance, will be paying in cash, or are guaranteed a job upon graduating there's no way I'd consider the $45k program. That's just too much to pay in my eyes for something that may be of no benefit in today's job market. Waiting a semester and paying half the cost, especially if the universities are similar in stature, makes all the sense in the world.

I personally couldn't see paying more than $15-20k for a grad program. My UIS program is running about $15k. Afterward I'm considering Jacksonville State for an MBA or pursuing it through a local school after a move to Houston and establishing residency.

[TMW2010]

Unless you have hellacious employer tuition assistance, will be paying in cash, or are guaranteed a job upon graduating there's no way I'd consider the $45k program. That's just too much to pay in my eyes for something that may be of no benefit in today's job market. Waiting a semester and paying half the cost, especially if the universities are similar in stature, makes all the sense in the world.

I'd normally agree, but Library Sciences is a specific field, and its not a huge one.

I am in agreement with the OP, the academic letters of reference required by many programs are painful to distance learners. One thing you could consider if the program you are interested in takes transfer credits is to find a less expensive school, taking a few classes that will transfer and try impressing your teachers to the point where they'd be willing to write a reference. Its especially helpful if you have the same teacher for multiple classes. Of course, if you can't dazzle them with your work, you may just have to pucker up and kiss some rear end. Unfortunate but true.

Out of curiosity, is the program that you are considering the one offered by Drexel? If so, they accept professional letters of reference, but they ain't cheap.

Online Program - School of Library and Information Science - Wayne State University is another option... And online students pay instate tuition. *BUT* You have to attend an onsite new student orientation.

Any program you go into for Library Sciences though should be ALA accredited, otherwise you're severely hampering yourself, job-wise. (But I'm sure you know this already.)

Good Luck!

[LOC4ME]

Yes, it is drexel. They do accept professional LOR that is one of the main reasons I was considering them. They are ranked as a top 10 program, but the $45k was a bit hard to swallow!!

[BrandeX]

USDA Grad School has some DL library creds which are ACE reviewed and a few hundred dollars per course. Perhaps you could transfer them in to a program somewhere and save some money over course rates at another institution?