Cheapest? Easiest? RA degree(s) in USA?

[omicreativedev]

I've read almost a hundred threads here (love this forum.)

1) What do you think is the CHEAPEST (LEAST COSTING) regionally accredited degree? [Not counting Federal Aid or Alt Credit Fees like sophia/study] Are there any that can be done under $1000?

2) What school allows the MOST total credits to transfer in or test through? Meaning, taking the LEAST number of courses at the school to finish the degree? Most I've seen still require 10 courses at the school or online. Are there any RA degrees that require fewer?

3) What RA degree is the EASIEST, meaning- despite cost or length, is really easy as far as coursework/testing? I know this is subjective but for scale, easy would be defined by being open book, or almost anyone would at least pass, or wouldn't be too challenging for an average high schooler with good grades.

4) What RA degree is the absolute FASTEST to complete (granted all the credits from external sources allowed are met.)

Thank you for your time in advance.

[davewill]

The answer to number two is the Big 3, TESU, COSC, and Excelsior. They all allow you to transfer in all but 6 or so credits. That is why they are the Big 3. Does not mean they are the cheapest, because they are not.

Honorable mention to the Pierpont BOG AAS which can be 100% transferred in and is free.

[ss20ts]

Honorable mention to the Pierpont BOG AAS which can be 100% transferred in and is free.

Well, there isn't a fee from Pierpont, but you do have to pay for the courses somewhere so it's not 100% free.

[omicreativedev]

The answer to number two is the Big 3, TESU, COSC, and Excelsior. They all allow you to transfer in all but 6 or so credits. That is why they are the Big 3. Does not mean they are the cheapest, because they are not.

They charge lots of fees for assessing credits thought right?

[jsd]

TESU doe not charge anything for accepting your transfer credit, as far a I know COSC/Excelsior don't either.

[rachel83az]

1. Cheapest RA bachelors is from UMPI. Depending on degree, it can be had for as little as $1400 + Sophia fees.

2. TESU, COSC, or Excelsior, in theory. In practice, COSC is out because there simply aren't enough UL credits that they'll accept any more. That leaves just TESU or Excelsior for 99% of students.

3. Possibly a TESU or Excelsior BALS or BSLS degree. There are a number of open book or otherwise easy alt-credit classes. UMPI is also pretty easy for students who can write. Final grades at UMPI are assessed based on a single paper or project.

4. It's pretty even here. Probably UMPI or Excelsior, if you're counting time from enrollment to receiving diploma. TESU is pretty speedy, but they only graduate students a few times per year. If you're unlucky enough, I think it could be a bit longer than 6 months from starting your term at TESU to receiving your diploma. UMPI can be as soon as 5-6 weeks, Excelsior would be 3-4 months, I think.

Bear in mind, though, that if you're going for "easy", that's going to be pretty incompatible with "fast". Fast, easy, cheap: pick two. If you try to speed through UMPI, it'll be fast and cheap but it won't be easy. If you go for easy and cheap, it won't be fast.

[davewill]

Honorable mention to the Pierpont BOG AAS which can be 100% transferred in and is free.

Well, there isn't a fee from Pierpont, but you do have to pay for the courses somewhere so it's not 100% free.

Sure, but the OP specifically said to ignore alt credit fees.

[origamishuttle]

1. Cheapest RA bachelors is from UMPI. Depending on degree, it can be had for as little as $1400 + Sophia fees.

Maybe a better way to phrase this is "multiples of $1400." Plenty of people have finished in one term, but it's always important to keep in mind that a second term doubles the price. However, even $2800 or $4200 is less than almost all other RA degrees, so the value is there unless it takes more than three terms.

2) What school allows the MOST total credits to transfer in or test through? Meaning, taking the LEAST number of courses at the school to finish the degree? Most I've seen still require 10 courses at the school or online. Are there any RA degrees that require fewer?

The tradeoff here tends to be speed. The UL courses at Study.com are not all that different from UL courses in a CBE degree, so if you have the ability to progress quickly, it might make more sense to go for the CBE degree. If you need to take your time and build up transfer credits, then TESU or EU can save money over multiple terms in CBE.

3. Possibly a TESU or Excelsior BALS or BSLS degree. There are a number of open book or otherwise easy alt-credit classes. UMPI is also pretty easy for students who can write. Final grades at UMPI are assessed based on a single paper or project.

I'm not sure about EU, but I'm definitely intimidated by the three-month TESU capstone. UMPI does seem to be on the easier side.

4. It's pretty even here. Probably UMPI or Excelsior, if you're counting time from enrollment to receiving diploma. TESU is pretty speedy, but they only graduate students a few times per year. If you're unlucky enough, I think it could be a bit longer than 6 months from starting your term at TESU to receiving your diploma. UMPI can be as soon as 5-6 weeks, Excelsior would be 3-4 months, I think.

This is a great point about conferral. The absolute fastest for conferral is WGU, which happens approximately a week after completing degree requirements and applying for graduation. And it can take as little as three weeks to start the degree after all transfer courses are completed and sent for evaluation. Assuming the ability to complete WGU courses quickly (a large assumption) WGU is the fastest from start to conferral.

Bear in mind, though, that if you're going for "easy", that's going to be pretty incompatible with "fast". Fast, easy, cheap: pick two. If you try to speed through UMPI, it'll be fast and cheap but it won't be easy. If you go for easy and cheap, it won't be fast.

UMPI coursework, at least, is probably not more difficult than most options. So while speed will make things more difficult, UMPI comes the closest to being fast, easy, and cheap. One last thing to consider with UMPI is the lead time to start after applying, which I think is 2-3 months for most.

[davewill]

4. It's pretty even here. Probably UMPI or Excelsior, if you're counting time from enrollment to receiving diploma. TESU is pretty speedy, but they only graduate students a few times per year. If you're unlucky enough, I think it could be a bit longer than 6 months from starting your term at TESU to receiving your diploma. UMPI can be as soon as 5-6 weeks, Excelsior would be 3-4 months, I think.

Yeah, assuming you're ready to enroll for a single term to finish your TESU courses and graduate, it's four to six months to graduate. Four months is the absolute fastest you can do that with TESU. For example, for a June graduation, the last term you can start the capstone course is the Feb term. There are 4 graduation dates, March, June, Sep, and Dec

https://www.tesu.edu/current-students/gr...nformation

[allvia]

I've read almost a hundred threads here (love this forum.)

1) What do you think is the CHEAPEST (LEAST COSTING) regionally accredited degree? [Not counting Federal Aid or Alt Credit Fees like sophia/study] Are there any that can be done under $1000?

If you're eligible for a full Pell Grant you have many options under $1000.00. However for part two of this question the answer is 'No, there are no RA schools that can be completed for $1000 (or less) if you exclude Fed Aid and Alt Credits (at bachelor degree level)'.