Answer a few questions to help me decide between WGU, Big 3, other online programs?

[sanantone]

I think that getting a degree in liberal studies when you ultimately want a degree in IT/IS/CS is a complete waste of time and money. It will take you a little longer to get an IT degree over a liberal arts degree, but I think it's worth the wait and cost savings.

I'm not exactly sure at which point this happens, but once your WGU degree plan is solidified, you cannot transfer in anymore credits. They aren't like other colleges where you can bring transfer credits in at anytime. The Big 3 will accept the UoP credits since the school is regionally accredited. However, there is still no guarantee that a particular course will be accepted. The Big 3 can still determine that the course is developmental or is not worthy of college credits. UoP does use very non-traditional course titles. Yes, only ALEKS' math courses are ACE-approved. Northern Arizona's competency-based program limits the number of CBEs (credit by exam) they'll accept.

I think the limit is 64, but there aren't many CBEs for IT/CS anyway. College for America only offers an associate's degree in general studies. University of Wisconsin has the most or one of the most expensive competency-based programs. I don't know if they're as open as the Big 3 in accepting ACE and NCCRS-approved courses.

There aren't any hidden costs to have your transcripts evaluated. TESC gives two evaluations before you pay the enrollment fee; the other two schools give one eval. Excelsior's initial evaluation is very vague.