Tuition and Fees

Comparing Schools: Tuition and Services

Which school is right for you?

Starting school is a big deal.

The school you choose now will help shape your future and have a big influence on your career opportunities and income potential. With your entire future at stake, there are a lot of things to consider. Answers to questions like those below are very important in helping you make this life-changing decision:

• How successful are the school's graduates in finding a job in this field after graduation?
• What is the class schedule like, and how many classes are taken at a time?
• What sort of credentials and industry experience do the instructors have?
• How long does it take the average student to graduate from my program of choice?

Tuition: Comparing on an Apples-to-Apples basis

The cost per credit is only the beginning...

For most of us, one of the greatest concerns in choosing a school is how much it will cost. Unfortunately, a simple comparison of tuition prices won't give you enough information to compare the true cost of attending different schools.

For example, some schools include books in the tuition, some have extra fees that add up quickly, and some schools go on a quarter-based system, so while the 'tuition cost per credit' may sound cheaper compared to a semester-credit system, you will need a higher number of credits to graduate (which may make a big difference!).

When all is said and done, it’s all about value. Determining the best value is based on what you get for your tuition investment. Is student placement rate important to you? Are textbooks included in the tuition? How about the type of accreditation? Don’t forget about additional fees!

As you compare and evaluate colleges and universities, this chart may be very useful. We've filled in part of it for you to help you get started:

Value Comparison Worksheet