How much money is to much and how stupid are you?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by eilla05, Sep 28, 2010.

Loading...
  1. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    I just spoke with a longtime friend who has decided to go to college (yay!). I am super excited that she had decided to get a degree however she has chosen to go to Daymar (sp) college.... After having a lengthy discussion with her about this school she still seems dead set on going there.

    I ask the question how much is to much because she is going to end up paying almost 30k for an associates degree in Criminal justice! I gave her 4 other options that are in her area that she could get the same degree for less than 8k. She still seems to want to go to Daymar (no clue why).

    Honestly I find it idiotic that anyone would pay 30k for an associates degree. After speaking with her I find she really shouldn't be starting any program until she understands the basis of what college is the various degree levels and student loans. She was not even aware until we talked that she was going to get student loans (she thought she was getting pell grants). I asked her to pull out all of her papers and let me help her understand and she has already signed a MPN.

    DO you think these colleges just see these people coming and go heck yeah we got another one!

    And honestly how much is to much for an associates? A Bachelors? A Masters?
     
  2. GeeBee

    GeeBee Member

    $30k for an Associates? That seems insane!

    My local community college offers an Associates in Criminal Justice for around $4k.

    Two years at UNC would be less than $30k for tuition and fees.
     
  3. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    "How much is too much" ... it depends on what perceived value the degree will have and what other viable options are available.

    In your friend's example, it seems like this degree would cost way too much, given the cheaper options available and the (I assume) negligible difference between them in prestige ... granted that, IMHO, prestige matters very little at the associates level, more at the bachelor's level, and much more in graduate work; and prestige matters for some occupations more than others. For example, for people seeking academic careers and high-level business positions, paying more (even a lot more) for a "big name" degree could be worth it.
     
  4. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    $30k for an Associates degree in criminal justice is too expensive. if you've informed her of other cheap options and she still refuses to consider them, then some of us have to learn the hard way. She will come back to you and share her regrets when she is done, and then is stuck with paying back the loans.
     
  5. djacks24

    djacks24 New Member

    Friends don't let friends spend 30k for an associates degree in criminal justice.

    She can get an associates degree in criminal justice at just about any community college for around the 5k range. Furthermore the degree will be accepted by just about any employer and the credits will transfer to any 4 year college or university. She will thank you later once she comes to her senses.
     
  6. Quote of the day. :D
     
  7. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member


    I totally agree! Does anyone have any suggestions for how to convince her otherwise? I have told her about 4 community colleges within 40minutes from her, explained about student loans, told her exactly how much debt I have/will have once I get done with my Bachelors etc and nothing seems to deter her from going to Daymar. I do not even think they are regionally accredited not from what I can find it looks like they are nationally. So I explained to her that she could very well not be able to transfer her degree to many schools...

    She is still wanting to go there! How do I help her not make this huge mistake?
     
  8. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    If you've tried your best all to no avail, then some of us are stupid, and we have to learn the hard way. I think one way to help her is to introduce her to this forum. If she "lurks" around Degree Info for a while, she will learn a lot in a short time period. Otherwise, let her make that mistake, so that she can learn the hard way. It is sad that some folks have to make mistakes before they can learn stuff. She fits clearly into that category.

    Let her make that mistake (stupidly), and then maybe she would learn, then maybe, take out another $40k to complete her bachelor plus another $60k for as master degree. After all this nonsense and irresponsibility, it will be the fault of the school or others, for letting her get into that much debt. Like they say: "A word is enough (should be enough) for the wise."
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 28, 2010
  9. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Daymar is ACICS accredited (i.e. nationally accredited)
    What is her career goal?
    I would suggest she earns an AA in CJ from an RA school at the lowest cost available. She could then elect to spend the big bucks at a well known RA college or university. She will find it hard to land a job with an NA degree when competing with those with an RA degree.
     
  10. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    That is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much.

    After tax breaks, I paid a grand total of about $600.00 on my Associate's.

    You could go so far as to get an AAS in Criminal Justice from Clovis Community College, a BAS in Criminal Justice from Western New Mexico University, then move on to an MA in Criminal Justice from UMass, all for less than $30,000.00

    An MA from UMass certainly sounds a lot more valuable than an AA from... uhh, where again?
     
  11. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member


    Ian,

    The problem is she doesnt understand what I mean when I tell her its only Nationally accredited even when I broke it down and told her. She said oh I will just get my Bachelors from them as well.

    I am at a loss as to what to do. I am going to speak with her again this evening and send her an email with a link to this forum ;) maybe then she will see that im not just trying to deter her or something because I am not sure why she is so dead set on them.
     
  12. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Tell her what I said above! She could get an MA from UMass for the same price!

    Even if all she wants is an AA, then she could save a whopping $28,000 if she got the AAS from Clovis!
     
  13. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    Yep! Problem is when I tell her that she should be shooting for under 100.00 per credit hour she doesnt care. Daymar charges 290.00 per credit hour(she needs 96 qrtr credits) for 100-200 level and 330 for 300-400 level . Way to much for AA/AS level classes. I think the most I have paid per credit hour for any lower division credits has been 82.00 and that has been about 4 classes. The rest have been about 58.00 or less!!

    It might be she just have to do it and learn....
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 29, 2010
  14. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I understand that friends try to help each other avoid mistakes but I also understand that friends don't try to control each other's lives.

    "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink." You can provide information but if your friend is determined, for whatever reason, then isn't it best to treat them like an adult and allow them to make decisions based on their own values, not your values? People make decisions all the time that seem foolish to others. You might just need to let this one go.

    BTW, I think it's a bad idea too. But so what?
     
  15. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Yeah, $30,000 does sound like a bit much for an associate's. :eek:
     
  16. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    If I ever pay $30,000 on anything, ever, in my life it better come with a $29,000 rebate.
     
  17. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    LMAO!

    I think what really makes it worse for me is that she qualifies for a $5,550 per year pell grant! Meaning she could go to school and get her degree for absolutely nothing instead she is going to be about 30k in the hole in 2 years....
     
  18. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    You are right. Its just hard to stand by and watch someone whom I have known for about 18 years make such a huge mistake while not really even realizing what she is getting into. She really doesnt understand the process of college, loans etc. But I think your right. I have told her its bad and maybe I will just say to her that if she has any more questions or needs some help just let me know. She has already heard me tell her its a bad idea... so....
     
  19. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Wait, how can she get a Pell grant (especially that much!!!) if she can afford a 30k degree? I can't afford 1/3 of that price, yet I qualify for $0 of Pell Grant :mad:
     
  20. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    Thats the problem she cant afford a 30k degree! She is a single mom with 2 kids and makes about 15-20k per year from a crap job. Pell grants are based on your income and when you basically have no income or low income you get grants to attend college. Basically to attend Daymar she is using her whole 5,550 in pell grants plus the extra 9,500 from student loans in a year! So I take my lie back she is only going to have about 20k in student loans but still...... You dont have to afford student loans in order for them to give them to you... Which is the problem. She will be lucky to make about 20k per year even after she gets her Associates...
     

Share This Page