would consider an online degree for their kid . . . if it saves money. https://thepienews.com/news/online-degree-hsbc-value-of-education-survey-2017/
I can see it now, on a well-known Twitter account. "Great Economic News. 33% of parents are rich... other 67% not far behind." J.
The parent and the child have to determine whether or not an online program would be a good fit first. I've read studies that found that traditional-age college students tend to do worse in online courses.
My kids are at the age where I'm starting to think about college, and I don't think I'd want them to do a totally online degree, whatever the cost. I'll certainly guide them towards CLEP, DANTES, and other time-savers, but I do want them to have the "college experience" of going away, living in a dorm, etc., if they want that, especially my daughter. Saving for college, well, that started a LONG time ago! :biggrin:
My eldest did that for a year and said it was okay, and he wasn't sorry he did that, but it wasn't worth doing that for four years. Now he's teaching people guitar and refurbishing guitars for money and finishing at Charter Oak.
You won't ever see come here and complain if either or both decide that one year of the college experience is enough! arty: I think my daughter will love it and want to stay, while I'm not sure my son even wants to try it. He'll likely follow in dad's footsteps and enlist in the military, but I'll be pushing the Air Force instead of the Army. Better facilities, better food, better housing, and their MOS's translate much better to civilian life.
My daughter turns 18 today (woot!) and she's more interested in studying horticulture at the local community college. That's fine with me. What, not the Space Corps?
How/where learning occurs is the wrong question. The right question is how to get your kid OUT of college. That should be their primary 100% focus. I frequently rant (oops, I mean "blog") about such things. https://homeschoolingforcollegecredit.com/2017/06/26/help-my-high-school-graduate-doesnt-want-to-go-to-college/ 100% of parents of kids who start college think their kid will graduate college. 50% of those parents will be wrong. And, as I look into my crystal ball, I'd wager 100% of those parents would flip and "support" their teen finishing their degree online if it made the difference between dropping out or finishing..... because those not-so-cost-conscious 33% might have a change of heart after they've already shelled out $100,000 and their teen still has no degree.
I know I'm speaking purely anecdotally here, but I think the "going away to college" aspect is an important part. We have programs that allow students to finish their Associates and then continue to take classes at the community college while also taking classes online at the four year school to finish their BA/BS. Often the student still lives at home. For me, when I went away to college, I had to learn to be on my own. If I got sick, I had to deal with it. I didn't have Mommy nagging me to do things, or worse yet, doing it for me. If a student does an online program while still living at home, yes they're saving money, but they're also losing out on a valuable learning opportunity. They'll also be exposed to people of different cultures and beliefs, which is important, too. Again, that's just my opinion. -Matt
Jennifer isn't crass enough to do this, so I'll do it for her: buy her excellent book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9NZVOQ/
That's exactly the "college experience" I meant, not just the beer pong games and keg parties. I'm biased, but I think the military provides an even better education in that regard, with the added bonus of free overseas travel/living. I've told my kids that after high school, they have 3 choices; college, the military, or full-time employment (which doesn't mean minimum wage, fast-food jobs) and they pay rent. I'll put the rent into a distinct account, and they'll get it back at some point if they don't turn into total screw-ups. :biggrin: