RA DL Tuition: In/Out of State

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kit, Sep 9, 2004.

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  1. Kit

    Kit New Member

    A different take on Gina's thread on DL tuition:

    Why do so many RA colleges charge the out-of-state rate for non-resident students taking courses entirely by DL? Once a DL program is set up, there's very little overhead involved in administering distance courses. DL-only students need no classroom, dorm, parking or library space. They don't use student center facilities and they supply all their own equipment.

    There is some use of the time of professors, and to a lesser extent the time of administrative staff. But even that time used would be less than the time used by most butt-in-seat students so it hardly seems a reason to justify the high cost.

    Is this one of those "because we can" things?

    Kit
     
  2. marilynd

    marilynd New Member

    "In-state" and "out-of-state" tuition differences exist generally in state-funded colleges and universities and perhaps some private schools which get state funding. The general reasoning behind the difference, I think, is that state governments are subsidizing higher education costs for residents within their states. Consequently, out-of-state residents must pay the full cost, since they are not being subsidized. This reasoning would apply to on-campus or DL students. Questions about whether RA schools should charge the same tuition to DL students who don't put as much strain on the facilities is, in my view, a separate question from "in-state" vs. "out-of-state."

    Regards, :cool:

    marilynd
     
  3. DL Guy

    DL Guy New Member

    You hit the nail on the head. In-state tuition is cheaper due to taxes paid by residents, which fund higher education.
     
  4. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    The original question was:

    For example Colorado State (a state funded school) has a single tuition rate for DL courses which is higher than the in-state on campus rate for similar courses but lower than out-of state:

    Example

    ME 512 - Reliability Engineering

    DL
    Section 810
    Tuition: $1,188
    Course Fees: $1,120
    Total: $2,308

    On Campus
    Section 001
    In-state (3 credit)
    Tuition: $616.06
    Course Fees: $1,120
    Total: $1,736.06

    Out-of-state (3 credit)
    Tuition: $2,403.13
    Course Fees: $1,120
    Total: $3,523.30

    So if you are an in-state student it is cheaper to register as an on-campus student (you actually take the same class, the same way, at the same time) but if you are out-of state student register DL.

    Why? Who knows, but I do know several students doing it that way (if they live nearby signing up for the "on-campus" course, but (even if they are living on campus) if the do not have Colorado residency signing up for the DL course.
     
  5. Kit

    Kit New Member

    Thanks to the first two respondents, I really didn't consider the almighty tax dollar angle. Still though, at least some of those tax dollars are going toward facility maintenance so it still seems odd (to me at least) to charge non-resident DL students the full non-resident price.

    Mike, you brought up an interesting example. It certainly makes sense for the non-resident students to take the DL course, even if they are living on campus at Colorado State. I recall when I went to an in-state school there were several non-resident students who set themselves up in off-campus apartments with room mates and lived there long enough to establish residency before applying. Their high school grades were good enough that they knew they'd be accepted, and doing it the way they did meant they usually started later than most students their age. But it did save them (or in some cases their parents) a ton of money.

    Thanks all,
    Kit
     
  6. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

    Another intersting angle is the alumni approach. Some schools ()Michigan Tech for one) will give the children of almuni instate tuition (even if the alum paid out-of state tuition) regradless of where they reside. I beleive this also applies to other relatives.
     
  7. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    At state universities in California one must be a regulary admitted student enrolled in a degree program and taking a specified course load to be eligible for state resident tuition rates. There is a two or three year state residency requirement for the student (or his parents in some cases) .

    Long time California residents like me who take the occasional course must pay the open university or extension university rate which is the same as that for out-of-state students.
     
  8. JassenB

    JassenB Member

    Colo State

    For me as a working adult, this is an *extremely* annoying fact of life with Colorado State University. I live 5 miles from campus and fully qualify for in-state rates, but it is difficult for me to attend classes on-campus, yet I do when I can because it is cost prohibitive for me to take the DL versions of the classes. For the classes I try to take, the DL version is typically 3x what I pay for the same class on campus.

    Because of this situation, I am giving considerable thought to doing my Master's degree at Columbia Southern University, a DETC accredited school, due to the low cost of attendance and the fact that they offer the academic courses that I want to take in a convenient format. Yes, I know the debate about DETC rages on, but I have absolutely no interest in research nor do I ever intend to teach in academia, so the DETC label is not as big of a concern to me (I'm only slightly concerned about employability prospects with it).

    -Jassen
     
  9. capper

    capper New Member

    Eastern Michigan Unvirsity, where I am attending, charges "in state" tuition to out of state DL students.
     
  10. JassenB

    JassenB Member

    Thanks for the info. I notice in your signature that you have the BS AST in nuke power as well. Just out of curiosity, have you found it to be of any professional benefit? Most employers I speak to tell me "it's way to specialized" and I am out of the nuclear business since the nearest plant is 500 miles away.

    Thanks!
    -Jassen
     
  11. Mike Albrecht

    Mike Albrecht New Member

  12. capper

    capper New Member

    This is hard for me to answer at this point. I graduated last year and have not been searching for a new job. However, I do feel that the degree will benefit me in the long run.
    1. The degree meets the NRC requirements for STA positions at nuclear power plants. At my plant we have many STA/SROs who only have the TESC degree.
    2. I have two friends who, after graduating from TESC, got jobs with the NRC. One is a risk assessment engineer.
    3. I also know a few shipyard project engineers & supervisors who graduated from TESC.
    4. It was good enough to get me into grad school which was one of my top goals.

    You said that you do not seek employment in the nuclear field because there is not a plant close to you. There are other nuclear jobs available. Such as hospitals, industrial radiography etc... Many navy nukes get jobs as maintenance supervisors or other technical supervisors. When applying for non-nuclear jobs I would sell the general engineering skills that you have acquired. Our education gives us much non-nuclear engineering skills. Also, bring out how you successfully met the challenge of balancing work, school & family.

    I believe a lot depends on how you sell yourself. Good luck!! I guess my best answer to your question is I believe it will but I really don’t know yet.
     

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