What are typical Long Distance courses cost?

What will a typical long-distance course cost? I have noticed that some are as high as a traditional university, and others are quite reasonable.

Thanks in advance.
Fred

 

Hey Fred,

I don't know if there is a "typical" long distance course cost. If you notice, there is a huge range of costs in traditional colleges as well. The LD cost can depend on whether the school is public or private and whether they charge extra for out-of-state students. COSC and Excelsior are quite reasonable as far as registration, but where you get the actual classes is ultimately up to your own research. CLEP/Dantes/Ohio University/Excelsior/TESC exams would be your cheapest route. I have found one school that is extremely low-cost. Do a google search on CSU-Pueblo. They allow independent-study courses at only $297 per class. I don't know if that can be beat. Good luck in your search!!!

 

It has already been beaten! Louisiana State University has some of the cheapest DL courses around and they have a HUGE selection to choose from. Here's some info I cut and pasted from their site...

Is the cost per credit hour the same for in-state and out-of-state students?
Yes, it is.

How much do LSU Independent Study courses cost? The current fees for LSU Independent Study courses are $73 per semester hour plus a $10 processing fee for each course. Thus, a two-hour course would be $156, a three-hour course would be $229, etc. Payment may be made in the form of a check, money order, or credit card payment (VISA or MasterCard). All checks payable to LSU must be in U.S. funds and drawn on U.S. banks. NOTE: There is a $20 charge on returned checks. Fees for non-credit courses are stated as part of specific course descriptions. Also, please note that these fees do not include textbooks.

What is LSU's accreditation?
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. LSU is a member of the University Continuing Education Association.

 

Oh yeah,

Here's a link to LSU's independent study program...

LSU independent study

 

This all depends on what you are taking from where. They range from $25 (some community colleges - in-state) to $1500+ per credit. The "average" is around $350 plus books and exspenses (software, phone bills, postage, shipping, etc.).

 

The LSU link is a good one if you want totally at your own pace. I think you get 9 months to complete each course. Some are via the postal system, some are online.

Another choice is to take DL classes at community colleges (for the lower level classes). I think New Mexico has some of the cheapest around.

Check out the DL offerings from
Clovis Community College
or
San Juan College

Good Luck,
clint

 

Indeed LSU is cheaper than CSU-Pueblo and they do have a wide range of courses. However, CSU offers upper-level courses such as Operations Management and Business Policy to study at your own pace as well. Your best bet would be to take some classes at certain schools and others...well...at other schools. Just make sure they meet the requirements of the MAIN school you wish to receive your degree from.

 

I'm paying around $30 per course at two different California community colleges for 100% DL courses through the wonders of an AB540 waiver.

(I tend to believe that I'm not who the Assembly had in mind when they passed AB540, which waives non-resident fees for folks who are not legal residents of California, but who attended and graduated from California high schools. It was intended to primarily benefit illegal aliens with long-standing presence in California. Seems it also applies to us U.S. citizens who graduated from high schools in California and moved away years ago. Thanks, guys!)

 

DARN!!!. I grew up in Los Angeles but only finished one year of high school there. I live in Austin, Texas now but hope to move back...if I could find a rich woman so I can afford the real estate...lol. Seriously, there a lot of relocated Californians and this information could help them immensely. Thanks.

 

Delta State University

Delta State University, Cleveland, MS, has a nice list of independent study courses and the price is not that bad. Each course is $411.

While not so good as LSU, it's still fairly reasonable, I think. I vouch DSU is an excellent school with solid academics!

 

Just found this school...

www.wtamu.edu/administrative/vpa/ce/correspondence.htm

They offer few independent study courses, but they are EXTREMELY cheap at $190 per course. RA.!!!!

 

I have a question for anyone who has taken a DL course from LSU but does not live in Louisiana...how did you arrange for a proctor to take the in-person exams? I am registering at Excelsior in January and LSU looks like a great school to take courses I can't test out of.

Nadine

 

I contacted them via email to ask that very question about proctors, since we live in Estonia.

I said we had two choices that were readily available to us:
1. American missionary with whom we are not affiliated professionally.

2. Music teacher at the Estonian Music Academy.

Their short answer was: yes.

I assume they meant that either one would be acceptable, though I will clarify that more when my wife signs up for the class in a couple of weeks.

All of that to say, I don't think they are too picky.

clint

 

Dennis Madarang: Sent you a PM

Hi Dennis

I sent you a PM regarding the AB540 waiver.

Brandon

 

$100 per undergrad s/h
$140 per grad s/h (very, very few available)
plus $25 per course

Not LSU or West Texas A&M, but still not bad.

Tony

 

I am a fan of BYU. The classes run around $350 and I like that there are no time constraints. I have taken classes from LSU and they only allow you to submit three assignments a week. I finished a BYU in only two weeks!