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+--- Thread: Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown (/Thread-Cost-analysis-of-big-3-breakdown)
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - cookderosa - 02-12-2009
I think it's been a while since anyone broke down the dollar-by-dollar costs for the big 3. Would anyone from EC and COSC be willing to do a cost breakdown for the least expensive bachelor's degree plan starting with zero credits? I'd do one for TESC if I can find 2 other willing helpers
This might be a good thread for newbies to start.Criteria- degree plan must meet all the graduation requirements with no prior transfer credit, but can include other schools (ie writing requirement at EC) if appropriate and cheaper. Include all fees, registration costs, graduation fees, tuition for courses required, etc. I'll post mine later tonight for TESC.
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - cookderosa - 02-12-2009
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
[SIZE="4"]
Thomas Edison State College
cheapest degree possible starting from 0 credits
(as of 2/12/09)
[/SIZE]cheapest degree possible starting from 0 credits
(as of 2/12/09)
[SIZE="4"]BA Liberal Studies $1785 active duty military#
BA Liberal Studies $3065 in state (New Jersey)
BA Liberal Studies $4160 out of state[/SIZE]
BA Liberal Studies $3065 in state (New Jersey)
BA Liberal Studies $4160 out of state[/SIZE]
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
Application Fee to TESC $75
Out of State Enrollment Fee to TESC $2445 (in state $1350)
Technology Fee to TESC $100
Graduation Fee to TESC $240
Credit Requirements paid to various agents $1300 (testing centers fees vary $0-$25 per exam) That's $11 per credit!
CREDIT SOURCES:
6cr. English Composition
CLEP English Comp Exam, 6 cr., $80
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
12cr. Humanities
CLEP Humanities Exam, 6 cr. $80
CLEP Literature Exam (American), 6 cr. $80
12 cr. Social Science
CLEP Social Science and History Exam, 6 cr. $80
CLEP Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. $80
CLEP Introduction to Sociology, 3 cr. $80
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
12 cr. Natural Science and Math
CLEP College Math Exam, 6 cr. $80
CLEP Natural Science Exam, 6 cr. $80
18 cr. General Education Electives
CLEP Foreign Language Exam level 1 score**, 6 cr. $80
CLEP Biology Exam, 6 cr. $80
CLEP Literature Exam (British), 6 cr. $80
27 cr. Free Electives
FEMA Independent Study Courses, 24 cr. $0
ALEKS Business Statistics, 3 cr. $0
33 cr. Liberal Studies Area in 2 or more concentrations
A. Humanities -12
CLEP Foreign Language Exam level 2 score**, 6 cr. $0
CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature Exam, 6 cr. $80
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
B. Social Science-9
CLEP Human Growth and Development Exam, 3 cr. $80
CLEP Educational Psychology Exam, 3 cr. $80
CLEP Organizational Behavior, 3 cr. $80
C. Natural Science and Math -12
ALEKS Introduction to Stats, 3 cr. $20*
ALEKS Stats for Behavioral Science, 3 cr. $0
CLEP Chemistry Exam, 6 cr. $80
NOTES:
**This schedule assumes you can pass some pretty difficult exams, including a foreign language. If you know a second language, you can delete the social sciences section and replace it with a second CLEP language exam for a savings of $160
*Completion of 3 ALEKS courses inside 1 month. Some coupon codes will give you a month trial for free, saving $20
There are a lot of social science exams that would count from the history area, but I selected this group based on the principle of "exam grouping."
#Active duty military may be eligible to take all CLEP exams for free, and will pay only in-state tuition, no matter where they are stationed.
*******NOTICE: this is an old thread, many changes to TESC policy make this degree plan VOID**********
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - alissaroot - 02-13-2009
Okay, I have been working on this, but mine isn't as tidy as yours. I don't have the military cost comparison yet, either, but I am pretty sure this site has more detail on the military options:
Bachelor's Degree in 6 Months Roadmap - Introduction
Here's my sample plans, but these all assume non-military, out-of-state tuition and fees:
Theoretical Plan #1
Penn Foster Information Literacy--1 credit--$90
GRE Psychology--30 credits--$130--Social Science and History requirement and Depth #1 met
GRE Literature in English--30 credits--$130--Humanities Requirement & 2nd Depth met
GRE Computer Science--30 credits--$130
CLEP Social Sciences & History-6LL--$80
CLEP Biology--6 LL--$80--science requirement met
CLEP College Mathematics--6 LL--$80--Math requirement met
AP English Literature & Language--6 credits-$86--written English requirement met
CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature--$80--6LL
Application Fee: $75
Enrollment fee:$895 *
Graduation Fee: $495
Total: [SIZE="5"]$2361 [/size]Ha Ha, if only it were that easy!
* This plan assumes you have one year to complete your degree, since you can't schedule GRE exams whenever you like
* AP exams are offered at local high schools, usually in May, you will have to arrange a proctor:
Advanced Placement Program ?About AP Exams and Courses
*Excelsior's enrollment fee can be spread out over six monthly payments
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theoretical Plan #2 --More Realistic!
Penn Foster Information Literacy--1 credit--$90
AP English--6 credits--$86
CLEP Foreign Language--$80--6 or 12LL
CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature--$80--6LL
GRE Psychology, scoring above 60th percentile--$130--12LL & 6UL--Depth #1 still met, Social Science requirement met
GRE Literature, scoring above 60th percentile-$130--12LL & 6UL--Humanities requirement met
GRE Biology, scoring above 60th percentile--$130--12LL & 6UL--depth #2 met, natural science requirement met
CLEP College Math-$80--6LL credits--quantitative reasoning requirement met
CLEP Chemistry--$80--6LL credits
DSST Substance Abuse--3UL--$90
DSST Business Law II--3UL--$90
CLEP Intro to Business Law--$80--3LL
CLEP Principles of Management-$80--3LL
CLEP Principles of Marketing--$80--3LL
CLEP U.S. History I--$80--3LL
CLEP U.S. History II--$80--3LL
CLEP American Government--$80--3LL
CLEP SS & History-$80--6LL credits
DSST Civil War and Reconstruction--3UL--$90
DSST Rise & Fall of the Soviet Union--3UL--$90
$75 Application Fee
$895 Enrollment Fee
$495 Graduation Fee
Total:[size="5"]$3271[/size]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Theoretical Plan #3--BS Liberal Studies, depth in History, second depth in psychology--Without any GRE exams...
Penn Foster Info Lit--$90--1 credit Info Lit. requirement
AP English--$86--6 credits Written English Requirement
CLEP American Literature--$80--6LL
CLEP English Literature--$80--6LL
CLEP Humanities--$80--6LL Humanities requirement done
CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature--$80--6LL
CLEP Biology--$80--6LL
CLEP Chemistry--$80--6LL
CLEP Natural Sciences--$80--6LL Natural Science requirement
CLEP U.S.History I--$80-3LL
CLEP U.S. History II--$80-3LL
DSST Civil War & Reconstruction--$90--3UL
CLEP Western Civ I--$80--3LL
CLEP Western Civ. II--$80--3LL
DSST Rise & Fall of the Soviet Union--$90-3UL Depth #1
CLEP Social Sciences & History-$80--6LL SS & History Requirement
CLEP College Mathematics--$80--6LL quantitative reasoning requirement
Aleks--Statistics--$20--3LL
DSST Money & Banking--$90--3UL
DSST Principles of Finance--$90--3UL
CLEP Intro. to Comp. Apps & Info. Systems--$80--3LL
DSST Mgmt. Info. Systems--$90--3UL
**OPI/ACTFL Foreign Language Exam--$200--6LL & 6UL ACTFL Article
CLEP Introductory Psychology--$80--3LL
CLEP Human Growth & Development--$80-3LL
DSST Substance Abuse-$90--3UL
ECE Abnormal Psychology--$205--3UL
ECE Lifespan Developmental Psychology--$205--3UL Depth #2
Application Fee: $75
Enrollment Fee: $895
Graduation Fee: $495
[size="5"]Total: $4076 [/size]
**This plan assumes a high level of foreign language proficiency, here's the link to an older thread discussing this test: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-thomas-edison-charter-oak-specific/4015-excelsior-nyu-foreign-language-exam.html
Well, that's what I have for now. I may fine tune this a bit more later, to make it a bit easier to read, and also I might move the exams around into a more chronological order. Maybe someone will still find this helpful in the meantime, or point out something I missed!
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - cookderosa - 02-13-2009
Thanks Alisa! 3 GRE exams at 80%? Piece of cake hilarious I am pretty sure you can only use 1 ALEKS stats at EC. Nice plans, thanks!!
Now- someone from COSC needs to chime in!
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - alissaroot - 02-13-2009
Yeah, I don't know much about the Aleks stuff. I signed up for it back when the thread first appeared and thought, "This is going to take me forever!", so I just squeaked out a pass on the DSST Statistics exam instead. I have to leave for work soon, but I will edit that out of my #3 plan later when I have more time to work on this.
I would love to hear from a COSC student, too! I almost went with COSC back when I was trying to decide among the Big Three, but I was unsure about their level of customer service. But I liked that fact that they seemed to have the highest standards of academic rigor out of the Big Three. I really hope a COSC student chimes in, I would love to know more about COSC from an enrolled student's perspective.
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - alissaroot - 02-15-2009
Excelsior looks pretty cheap for service members. Let's see if I get this right:
Military, active duty, National Guard, Reserve, DoD Veterans, and DoD family members, enrollment fee: $765**
Application Fee:$75
Graduation Fee:$495
All CLEPs, DSSTs, and ECEs are free for service members.
Total:$1335
*If you enroll with six months of submitting the application, you will receive $50 credit toward the enrollment fee
**Excelsior fees can be spread over six monthly payments
Okay, I am not as sure about this one as the others, since I am not in the military. I just looked all this up in the Excelsior Fee Schedule. So, if any Excelsior military students know more about any of Excelsior's fees that I may be overlooking, please help me out.
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - jonasling - 02-15-2009
alissaroot Wrote:But I liked that fact that they seemed to have the highest standards of academic rigor out of the Big Three.
Just curious, can you please expand on what you're basing this on?
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - Joel - 02-15-2009
alissaroot Wrote:Excelsior looks pretty cheap for service members. Let's see if I get this right:
Military, active duty, National Guard, Reserve, DoD Veterans, and DoD family members, enrollment fee: $765**
Application Fee:$75
Graduation Fee:$495
All CLEPs, DSSTs, and ECEs are free for service members.
Total:$1335
*If you enroll with six months of submitting the application, you will receive $50 credit toward the enrollment fee
**Excelsior fees can be spread over six monthly payments
Okay, I am not as sure about this one as the others, since I am not in the military. I just looked all this up in the Excelsior Fee Schedule. So, if any Excelsior military students know more about any of Excelsior's fees that I may be overlooking, please help me out.
Even more affordable if you go with military option 1. This requires your to complete 12 hours with EC, which of course TA will cover. The application fee is waived, and the annual fee is waived if you take 6 hours/year. Once you meet the 12 hour requirement, no more annual fees are assessed. TA covers the entire $250/hour tuition.
Enrollment Fee = $175
Graduation Fee $175
Total cost =$350
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - alissaroot - 02-15-2009
They require 36 hours for a concentration, they require three hours of math at algebra level or higher, and they have that oral and written communication requirement for every degree. Not to mention, they also require that you submit a written paper basically explaining why you should have a degree. There's probably more, but like I said, I'd like to know more about it from a COSC student.
Update 2/15/2009: Here's my attempt at a sample plan for COSC:
Charter Oak--Degree Requirements & Fees-Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in Literature
120 credits, with a minimum of 60 Liberal Arts, and a Concentration consisting of a minimum of 36 credits
General Education Requirements
Literature and Fine Arts (a)
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the arts and literature, and gain an appreciation of their impact on our heritage and culture. Examples: Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, Art History, Music History, Theatre, Dance, Creative Writing, Drawing, Literature.
3CR Required--CLEP Humanities--$80--6LL
DSST Art of the Western World--$90-3LL
____________________________________________________________________________
Social/Behavioral Sciences (b)
Students will gain an understanding of self and the world, of social and cultural institutions, and the interdependent influences of the individual, family, and society in shaping behavior. - Examples: Anthropology, criminal justice, communications, economics, education (not Subject Methods or Student Teaching), gerontology, psychology, sociology, political science, communications (not Basic Speech).
3CR Required GRE Psychology- above 40th %ile--$130--18CR--15LL 3UL
CLEP SS & History--$80--6LL
____________________________________________________________________________
Ethical Decision-Making (d)
Student will be able to use critical thinking skills to make ethical decisions. May be met by taking a course that has a significant ethics component, by taking a series of courses that have an ethical component, or by taking courses such as Principles of Ethics, Business Ethics, Health Care Ethics, or Computer Ethics.
3CR Required DSST Ethics--$90--3LL--Essay is required
___________________________________________________________________________
Information Literacy (y)
Students will be able to locate, evaluate, synthesize and use information from a variety of sources and understand the ethical issues involved in accessing and using information. May be met by taking a course that requires the use of current technology for developing research or term papers, by taking a course in information literacy such as Charter Oak's ITE 100, by taking on-line courses that require accessing information on line or by taking Charter Oak's Information Literacy Test.
1-3CR Required Penn Foster Information Literacy--$90--1LL
___________________________________________________________________________
Communication
Students will communicate effectively using Standard English, read and listen critically, and write and speak thoughtfully, clearly, coherently and persuasively.
Written (e) - Examples: English Composition I and II, English Composition, plus Technical Writing course or two writing-intensive courses, CLEP exam with essay, AP English/Language and Composition.
Oral (o) - Example: Principles of Speech, Principles of Public Speaking
6 (written) CR Required CLEP English Comp.--$80--6LL
3 (oral) CR Required DSST Principles of Public Speaking--$90--3LL
___________________________________________________________________________
U.S. History/Government (u)
Students will have an understanding of the ideas and processes that shaped the history of the U. S. Examples: American Government, American History, History of the U. S., The Civil War.
3 CR Required CLEP American Government--$80--3LL
CLEP U.S. History I & II--$160--6LL
___________________________________________________________________________
Non-U.S. History or Culture (n)
Students will have an understanding of major developments in the history and culture of other countries. Examples: any art, literature, history, foreign language or religion course, Western Civ. I or II.
3 CR Required CLEP Western Civilization I & II--$160--6LL
___________________________________________________________________________
Global Understanding (g)
Students will have an understanding of the impact of nations, regions and cultures upon other nations, regions and cultures and the impact of these interactions upon individuals. Examples: Religions of the World, Comparative Economic Systems, Comparative Political Systems, Intercultural Communications (focus must be on communication among specific cultures), International Business, International Economics, International Marketing, Introduction to Modern Middle East.
3 CR Required DSST Intro. to the Modern Middle East--$90--3LL
DSST Intro. to World Religions--$90--3LL
___________________________________________________________________________
Mathematics (q)
Students will have an understanding of mathematics beyond the entry-level requirements for college. Examples: College-level algebra or higher.
3 CR Required CLEP College Math--$80--6LL
Aleks Statistics--$20--3LL?
___________________________________________________________________________
Natural Science (s)
Students will understand the basic scientific process and theories and be able to apply scientific inquiry. One 4-credit course that includes a lab, or two 3-credit courses. Examples: astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, oceanography, physical geography, physics.
4-6 CR Required CLEP Natural Sciences--$80--6LL
CLEP Biology--$80--6LL
CLEP Chemistry--$80--6LL
___________________________________________________________________________
Concentration Requirements: I am using Literature In English as my sample Concentration for this plan. All general studies degree of more than 60 credits at COSC require a concentration.
Concentration - Literature
The Literature concentration is designed to provide the students with a broad background in English and American literature, some exposure to non-Western literature, and training in the critical skills of reading, interpretation and analysis.
A concentration designated as Literature may be established in one of two ways:
1. Completion of 36 credits, at appropriate levels, in the major historical periods of English and American Literature. Some studies in World Literature other than Great Britain and the United States are recommended.
2. The GRE Subject Test in Literature, evaluated at 18 credits (15 lower, 3 upper), plus 18 credits, approved by the faculty, beyond the lower level, and at least 12 of which must be upper level. Introductory English and American Literature courses or CLEP tests will be duplicative.
A concentration with more than 6 credits in imaginative, editorial, critical or technical writing should be proposed as Applied Arts.
Students intending to go on to graduate school should include some work in genre studies (poetry, drama, the novel), history of the English language, and the history or theory of literary criticism.
GRE Literature in English Subject Exam--$130--scoring above 40th percentile--15LL, 3 UL
Ohio University Credit by Exams: Ohio University Course Credit by Examination
HUM 108 Great Books $276--2.67LL
ENG 201 Critical Approaches to Fiction--$276--2.67LL
ENG 203 Critical Approaches to Drama--$276--2.67LL
ENG 301 Shakespeare: The Histories-----$276--2.67UL
ENG 302 Shakespeare:The Comedies-----$276--2,67UL
ENG 303 Shakespeare: The Tragedies-$276-2.67UL
HUM 307 Great Books: Modern--$276--2.67UL
Academic Autobiography Requirement:
The Academic Autobiography is an essay in which you write reflectively about your degree as a whole, with emphasis on your concentration, the credits that fulfilled your General Education requirements, and how they are interrelated.
* Your essay should be word-processed or typed, double-spaced, and between 750-1000 words.
* In order to graduate you must receive a satisfactory grade. Please see the Student Handbook for more information.
* You must submit the Academic Autobiography no later than four months before your anticipated graduation date to allow time for faculty review.
The Academic Autobiography Process
1. Student will submit the Academic Autobiography along with the proposal form to Charter Oak State College.
2. Charter Oak State College will send the Academic Autobiography, the cover sheet, the student’s status report; the student’s approved concentration form, the grading rubric, the grading explanation sheet, and the faculty approval sheet to the faculty reviewer.
3. The faculty reviewer will return all materials to Charter Oak State College with the approval sheet completed.
4. The results will then be sent to the student.
Academic Autobiography: Is this free?
Application Fee: $75
Connecticut Resident Enrollment Fee: $1015
Non-Resident: $1335
Graduation Fee: $205
*COSC offers a payment plan for all fees over $200
Total: $5253
This is my first attempt at a COSC Road map, I just put it together for comparison purposes and I am sure to be overlooking several things. I will be happy to make any corrections as they are pointed out to me. If anyone knows what cheaper alternatives COSC will accept, please bring that to my attention as well. Thanks!
Cost analysis of big 3 - breakdown - alissaroot - 02-15-2009
Joel Wrote:Even more affordable if you go with military option 1. This requires your to complete 12 hours with EC, which of course TA will cover. The application fee is waived, and the annual fee is waived if you take 6 hours/year. Once you meet the 12 hour requirement, no more annual fees are assessed. TA covers the entire $250/hour tuition.
Enrollment Fee = $175
Graduation Fee $175
Total cost =$350
WOW! That's amazingly affordable. Thank you so much !