Need help deciding between the big three.

[MNomadic]

The big 3 are nearly identical as far as credits you can test out of or bring in from alternative sources. As mentioned, tesu requires less UL credits(18) and COSC requires 30. Also, COSC does require at least 1 lab, but this isn't as hard to find cheap/quick/online as it used to be.

Excelsior is the most expensive option and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone unless they are in one of the military degree programs.(although with a lot of recent changes, tesu might be getting more expensive and less flexible).

If you feel like you can commit to powering through WGU in 1 or 2 terms(6-12 months) at the most, then they would be the best value for money and time. As mentioned, flexibility for when life happens is better if you go with TESU or COSC. Both TESU and COSC require that you take a cornerstone and capstone through them but those are the only courses you should take through them.