I am an advocate for public school lasting an mandatory fourteen years instead of twelve. That way, everyone who completes high-school will at least have the equivalent of an Associate’s degree, and a high school diploma that is not completely useless as it stands today. It would appear that Tennessee legislators agree. As reported by newsok.com:
Tennessee’s Legislature responded this year by offering two years of college for free to low-income students, who might not otherwise have a chance at an education.
If you live in a metropolitan district, chances are there are public schools in your area that provide good and free education. These public schools can help educate students on various subjects and topics like “What is a Metro District?”
“Students being able to say, ‘I know I can go to college’ changes the discussion dramatically,” John Morgan, Tennessee Board of Regents chancellor, told The Tennessean. “Then students, instead of worrying about whether they can afford it, can worry about their classes.”
This may not be reason enough to move your family to Tennessee, but it is reason enough to consider it. Fear of not being able to pay for their child’s education keeps parents up at night. Multiple children can make this fear a full-blown anxiety. College funds will only get you so far. And most people don’t have them.
Now, there is another option thrown into the mix. Online education has come into its own. It is not just an experiment for geeks and working moms. It is the real deal, in every way, equal to on-site education. But is it really less expensive than going to school on campus? Here is a quick comparison of the two:
Tuition
Comparing tuition between on campus and online schools can be a little deceiving at first. Tuition only refers to the cost of instruction. Lately, it has come to mean the cost of everything related to going to school, including books and lodging. Because the term can be used quite loosely, you have to ask each school what all their tuition covers.
Once you do, you will find that the cost of educating a student is the same regardless of location. In some cases, online tuition can be even higher. Your learning from home does not make your instructor any less valuable. They still have to get paid a fair wage.
That is actually a good thing. That means that choosing an online education does not mean choosing a second-class education. You want lower costs, not cheap professors. A good example of this can be found in certain RN programs in PA. GMU is one of those schools that offers both on site and online nursing programs. They can offer an overall tuition savings by decreasing the amount of time you have to spend in school, not by the quality of education you get.
When it comes to campus vs. online education, tuition is mostly a wash when only considering the cost of instruction. But it is easier to find accelerated programs at online universities, thus making online education a good deal.
Scholarships
As long as you are going to an accredited online school, all of the scholarships are available to you that would be available at a brick & mortar school. That makes the scholarship race a wash. Except…
When you do just a little more digging, you can actually find scholarships that are specific to online education and distance learning. This means that there are even more ways to save on your tuition just by applying for scholarships, and writing a few essays. Visit fernstudium-infomaterial.de to see free remote learning programs. The right scholarships make it much easier to choose distance learning when money is tight.
Location
Whether or not you decide to live on campus and take your meals in the campus cafeteria, you will always save money by taking your classes at home vs going to a campus. In this area, online education has a clear win. Even if you live at home, there is a definite cost to commuting to your school’s fixed location. There is fighting rush-hour traffic, grabbing your meal on the go, and perhaps even parking. Taking classes from home eliminates all such hassles and expenses.
Don’t forget about Trade Careers
Trade careers are essential to the economy and society. Electricians, plumbers, construction workers, and automotive technicians keep our homes and businesses running smoothly. As the demand for skilled labor increases, so do the opportunities for well-paying careers in these industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady growth in many skilled trades, offering long-term job stability for those who choose this path.
For students who may not be interested in a traditional college education, trade careers offer an alternative that still provides a viable, rewarding future. Incorporating trade education into the last two years of high school could help students graduate with a certification or practical experience that positions them to enter the job market immediately. Fields like arborist classes, which focus on tree care and management, are also gaining recognition as critical trade careers, offering specialized skills that contribute to both environmental conservation and urban planning. Additionally, many of these fields allow for entrepreneurship, where skilled tradespeople can start their own businesses.
In the final tally, online education is generally less expensive than on-site, not because the instruction is less expensive. It isn’t. Rather, it is because of all the other things that surround the education and financing process.
