Ways Online College is Cost-Saving
- Save Commuting Costs
- School Supply Savings
- Save on Tuition Costs
- Save Money on Housing and Meals
- Save Time and Maximize Convenience
Regardless of your age, online college may be the best educational value for your needs. Online college and graduate programs are advantageous because they can save you money.
Save Commuting Costs
Attending college requires getting to and from campus. Gas is expensive, and driving can cause wear and tear on your car. Additionally, as your vehicle racks up mileage, it loses value. Of course, the more you drive your car, the more upkeep it needs. Hazardous weather can make driving difficult, but you may need to attend class to excel. Accidents can limit your ability to work and require expensive lawyers. Online classes allow you to attend classes from home. If you do not drive, you will save the cost of public transportation and cab rides.
School Supply Savings
Online classes usually offer online lectures that are accessible around your schedule and information discussing the course content. There is little need to purchase pens or notebooks. Environmentally-conscious students can read the notes online or listen to lectures multiple times without using expensive school supplies. There is no reason to waste ink printing copies.
Many online classes include downloadable material instead of textbooks. Books can add several hundred dollars to the cost of classes. Best of all, you may not need to worry about finding your class book when you need it because the material is on your computer.
Save on Tuition Costs
Online colleges often charge lower tuition than brick and mortar universities. They do not have to pay for building maintenance, grounds upkeep, food service, classroom accessories and other necessities that affect the cost of credits. Online universities do not have dormitories, so there is no wear and tear on housing.
Furthermore, the affordable tuition may allow you to apply for smaller student loans than if you attended a brick and mortar college. You may be able to pay back student loans at a faster rate, or avoid taking loans for your education. Thus, you may save money on interest payments.
Save Money on Housing and Meals
Online colleges allow students to take classes without spending on money on housing, even if the university is geographically inconvenient. Thus, students avoid housing and meal plan expenses that can drive up the cost of their education. Some schools require students to take meal plans that expire each semester. Thus, you could be paying for food that you do not eat.
Many online students enjoy home-cooked meals from their families, and some students live with their parents without paying rent. These living arrangements create significant savings.
Save Time and Maximize Convenience
Online classes eliminate commuting time and are usually available 24 hours. Avoiding time-consuming commutes will make it easy to work while you are attending classes. You will have more time to balance your academic and professional responsibilities. The additional time may also allow you to take enough classes so that you finish your degree faster than if you enrolled in a traditional college. Thus, you may obtain a job that pays a higher salary at a faster rate. Additionally, the availability of your course work allows you to attend class when you are most alert, so you are likely to retain the information.
Attending online classes is a cost-efficient alternative to enrolling in a traditional college. According to a November 11, 2011 U.S. News article , by Ryan Lytle, the number of online college students is growing. Join many online students, and eliminate some of the costs of traditional college without sacrificing your education.
Related Resources: