Thanks to IC and All Discussion Board Posters

[snazzlefrag]

One of the very fun things that I want to sit down and do here soon is calculate how much I am saving by going this route!

When I first decided to try and get my degree, way back in November (ha ha), I was looking at a university that would have charged me $395 per credit:
$395 x 120 credits = $47,400 (plus books, enrollment/graduation fees etc.).

Obviously, that was out of the question. So I found a university, offering courses online, that only charged $200 per credit:
$200 x 120 credits = $24,000 (plus books, enrollment/graduation fees etc.).

Still too expensive. So I looked at my local Community College to see what that might cost. I found out that they would only charge me $80 per credit:
$80 x 120 credits = $9,600 (plus books, enrollment/graduation fees etc.).


I thought that was quite reasonable. But for each of the above options, I would have to take full-length 16-week courses. If I managed to take two courses per semester (two semesters per year) whilst working a full-time job, it would take me TEN YEARS to complete my degree.

Then I stumbled upon Excelsior, and from there came across CLEP/DANTES. This is where my little heart jumped for joy. Here's the breakdown of my costs (your costs will vary depending on which exam combinations you actually take):
Total Cost for 121 credits = $3,410 (plus books, enrollment/graduation fees etc.).


Compared to the first university I was interested in, my total savings are:
$47,400 - $3,410 = $43,990

Compared to the online university I was interested in, my total savings are:
$24,000 - $3,410 = $20,590

Compared to my heavily subsidized local Community College, my total savings are:
$9,600 - $3,410 = $6,190

Of course, time-wise, I am also saving a great deal. I anticipate earning my degree within one year from start to finish. That would be impossible to achieve with any of the above three alternative options. My total time saved is:
10yrs - 1yr = 9yrs


If I include EVERYTHING into the total cost (enrollment, exam fees, proctor fees, books, graduation fees, even parking fees), my total estimated cost is: $4,900.


I also plan on completing a second degree which will require some additional exams and extra enrollment/graduation fees etc.

Total All-inclusive Cost (for TWO degrees): $7,735


By George, I think I'm onto a good thing!
hilarious