Finding a Low-Cost High Quality Education
If you are considering going back to school, you are likely weighing the time and money required against job and salary outlooks for graduates. Given the short-term instability of this economy and reports of tuition increases in the news, you may be concerned about finding a quality education option that fits your budget.
True: The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education found published college tuition and fees increased 439% from 1982 to 2007 while median family income rose 147%.
False: There are no affordable quality higher education options left. Schools, like other businesses, are facing pressure to raise tuition in response to the increasing costs of doing business. But there are affordable options. One of the best deals can be found at American Public University (APU), an online school with 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students. APU was founded with a mission to provide access to affordable, 21st century education. APU believes that cost should not be a barrier to  continuing your education. APU has not raised its undergraduate tuition for eight years. To compare, APU undergraduate tuition is about 57% less expensive than state schools for out-of-state students at $750 per three credit course. APU even offers books at no charge to degree-seeking students through a University book grant.  How can a school charge less than so many others yet provide a high quality education? APU doesn’t incur building or maintenance costs that drive up tuition; faculty are paid based on teaching and not tenure; and more than half of our students are referred by a friend or colleague, which keeps marketing costs low. With modest operational costs, available funds can be spent on providing high quality academic programs and enhancing services for students.
Why go back to school now? It may sound counter-intuitive, but current economic conditions actually indicate that this is an ideal time to go back to school. The economic downturn will require employers to curb costs and tighten spending on their workforce. Investing in your knowledge base is a smart decision, because it prepares you to increase your contribution at your current job, and your new education credentials will make you a stronger candidate whenever you find yourself in the job market. You will also open up new opportunities by connecting to a new network of classmates and professors who hold professional positions in your current or desired industry.  Consider a transition to a high-growth sector. Despite the downturn, some industries are thriving. Take a look at areas where better-than-average job growth is expected over the next 10 years:
View the 2006-2016 Career Outlook
The full cost of college: 5 key considerations
Tuition is just one component of the overall cost of a degree. In fact, the other costs associated with your education can vary widely from school to school. Consider: 1. Transfer credit: Your total investment can vary widely based on whether or not you can transfer previously earned credits or experience into a school – meaning you need fewer classes to earn your degree. Be sure to ask if the school you’re considering has a policy that limits the amount or types of credit you can transfer. Also, consider talking to other students about their experiences with transferring credit. 2. Financial Aid: Consider how much of your tuition bill can be covered by your financial aid, grants or available scholarships. 3. Time: Don't forget to think about cost in terms of your time. Ask questions about how many hours, on average, students spend preparing for class and in the classroom. With online courses, you gain time you would otherwise spend commuting to focus on your family and other schedule demands. 4. Employer reimbursement: When it comes to cost, also be sure to look into the tuition dollars and reimbursement programs available through your employer. Programs will vary, and you will want an understanding of what is covered by your employer, the payout timeline and any payback responsibilities you may have upon termination of the employment relationship. 5. Fees: Look at school policies around technology, semester and other fees as well as average book costs or grants that cover your book expenses. (American Public University offers such a grant for undergraduates, covering all book costs.) Students spend, on average, more than $4,000 in books over the course of their degree program, so these fees can add up! Measuring the payoff Ultimately, you want to make a smart – not a cheap – decision. It won’t make sense for you to pay less for your degree if the quality of the education is not good. At the end of the day, you are investing time and money to gain knowledge that will help advance your career. When it comes to assessing quality, you have help. Regional accrediting bodies assess and monitor the quality of education provided at higher education institutions, so make sure your chosen school meets their criterion and is accredited. You will also want to ask students and alumni about the reputation of the institution among employers. If you don’t know any personally, visit online forums on school groups within social networking communities and/or ask the school’s admissions counselors to speak with someone directly. APU: Answering the need for affordable, quality education The bottom line is that, in this economy, you need to keep your skills and knowledge current to advance – much less maintain – your career opportunities. With a new year upon us, make a commitment to pursue your education and career goals. With today’s affordable and convenient online education options, you can make it work! | 
