Graduation Fees... Why so much higher for Distance Learning?

I will be completing my final semester of work at Southern Christian University this Summer and recently submitted my Application for Degree Completion. This included a charge of $225 and raised my question...

I have a younger sister graduating from brick & mortar, UNC-Charlotte this May and her graduation fee was no where near that high... so why does it seem that "Degree Completion" (Graduation) fees are so much higher at online institutions?

Just curious to see if anyone can shed some light on this topic.

Thanx!
-Sherri

 

That's pretty crazy, what does the fee cover?

At UOP, the graduation fee is only $55, and I thought that was bad...

 

I emailed the Registrar about it...


-----Original Message-----
From: Danny & Sherri Barth [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 5:16 PM
To: Registrar
Subject: Graduation Fee

I was just wondering what the graduation fee of $225 covers?

Thanks-
Sherri

This was the reply...

Hello Sherri,

A Degree Completion Fee (Graduation Fee) of $225 is required when a student petitions for graduation.
The fee covers the evaluation of the student's entire course work while attending SCU, a Diploma, and cost of participation in the graduation ceremony.
The fee is charged to all students even if they choose not to attend the graduation ceremony.

Best,
Elaine Tarence
Registrar
Southern Christian University 1200 Taylor Road Montgomery, AL 36117-3553 800-351-4040 Ext. 228 Fax 334-387-3878

 

Wow... the $55 fee at UOP covers the diploma, transcripts and graduate audit fee..

I am probably going to spend about:

$30 on the cap and gown
$55 on Announcements
$60 on diploma frame

$195 total

 

Excelsior College charges a $495.00 graduation fee for the bachelor programs. A little less for the assocites degree.

 

Excelsior College charges a $495.00 graduation fee for their bachelor programs. A little less for the assocites degree.

 

Hi Sherri,

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Southern Christian in 2003. I can honestly say from looking at a lot of programs at a lot of schools, it isn't just SCU's graduation fee that is a bit high -- ALL of their fees are (not to mention their tuition)!

Needless to say, when it came time to pursue a distance learning Master's, SCU didn't receive a moment of my consideration.

Why are they so high? I guess because they CAN be...

Mark L.

 

UoP's grad fee should be only 55 bucks....hell, they reem you with no grease for the tuition...The 55 dollar fee is simply the "cigarette" afterwards

 

I suppose that's the long & short of it... I was kind of hoping there was more to it.

Since you've graduated from SCU, did you attend the actual ceremony & how was it? Other than being expensive... how do YOU rate your overall experience with SCU and how do you feel about the degree you've obtained?

Just figured I'd ask since you're out there!

 

Yes, I attended the graduation ceremony. I only live a couple of hours from Montgomery, AL, so it wasn't that demanding. I suppose it was about like any other graduation ceremony -- nothing really special. I'll say this for them, though -- they were very organized and everything went smoothly.

I suppose overall I was satisfied with my SCU experience and am proud of my degree. I would have preferred a little more interaction with my classmates via discussion boards, etc., on blackboard. But in my case, it was the best alternative out there, since it required *zero* hours on campus. Actually, I never even stepped foot on campus at all for any reason -- even the graduation ceremony was held elsewhere! It's sort of difficult to feel a lot of sentimental attachment to a school under those circumstances, but hey, I'm too old to worry about that stuff!

I wish you the best in the rest of your studies, Sherri!

Mark L.

 

Hi Lcgreen,

How true that is! Although, I can't speak as regarding to tuition as I don't pay any more becuase I work here now. I think I payed around $350 for my graduation stuff from Longwood, and I didn't go to NVCC's,

 

Limestone College $35.00
Walmart frame $ 8.00
Gas, too Graduation & Walmart $3.25
Total $ 46.25
PS, I would include the 15 dollars for cap and gown but that was a break even situation.....graduation party, I ate like a Wart Hog!
Best,
Gavin

 

I know I'm not supposed to laugh at stuff like this...

• But I did!!!