Why different tuition prices at the same school?

Why do schools have different tuition prices for different programs? I can understand a physical therapy program costing more than a MBA at a brick and mortar school. However, why do two online degrees from the same school have such different tuition rates. I stumbled upon Midway University and saw their online M.Ed. is $220 per credit. Then looked at their MBA was was very interested. However I looked at it is ~$560 per credit. Why the difference? Its not like there's any added expense in the MBA compared to the M.Ed. I've seen this at a lot of schools and could never figure out why.

 

Hmm. Maybe the MBA is more expensive than the MEd because business professionals tend to make more than teachers.

 

we can speculate, but you should email them and ask, I'd be curious what they tell you as an official answer. I'm guessing it's a supply/demand thing, or a matter of prestige as opposed to there being higher operating costs associated with that program, but again, just a guess.

 

There something you need to know in business that a big company has many divisions, and each has it own budget from the corporation. It is the same with universities, colleges or schools within the universities operate the same way. The dean of the school or college is leading and responsible for school budget. They also tend to go with profession and predict the income of each profession to charge for tuition. They know that engineering, business, law (legal), medical, education, and etc make different money ranges. In that category, education is making much less. For example, a business consultant makes about $80,000.00 range per year, while a high school teacher makes about $40,000.00 per year.

 

We all know this is bull, but it's not uncommon.

Good luck getting an honest answer from the school.

 

I'm reminded of the old joke, "Why does a male dog lick himself? Because he can".

 

Business professors also tend to get paid more.

 

A couple of years ago the UC system in California started pricing law, medicine, MBA, nursing, etc. with higher tuition. Part was supply and demand. Part was the ability to repay loans.

The funny thing is that veterinary tuition was raised too, and vets don't make much... it was definitely a supply and demand issue, not ability to repay.

 

They don't? According to this survey, California Veterinarians' average salaries range from high $70s to the $170s - several categories average $100K or more.

Veterinarian Salary in California | Indeed.com

If where I live is any example, their fees seem fairly high - and I don't begrudge them those.

J.

 

The specialist make a lot more, your regular vet is probably making $70K. In addition, they have to pay for all the same equipment and supplies as your family doctor. However, there's very little insurance to support their services. So, your benign lump removal from your doctor is going to pay the doctor about $5,000 for the lump and the supplies used. The vet is going to get about $500 from you personally - out of your disposable income.

I took a 3-year sabbatical from human healthcare and managed the largest veterinary practice in CA. The differences in payment is amazing, yet the costs are very similar.

It's all about insurance vs disposable income.

 

Thanks, Denise. Lesson learned. You know 'way more about this than I ever will...:smile:

J.

 

Here is the official answer I got from the school:

"The price difference between the MBA and M.Ed. is caused by a number of factors. However, the primary reason Midway University chose to reduce the price of the M.Ed. Program is because we are making every effort to make the program affordable for working teachers. The state of Kentucky requires public school teachers to obtain their master's degree within five years of employment; however, most school systems do not assist teachers with the costs of the degree.

Unfortunately, our university is unable to reduce the costs of all graduate programs at this time, but I assure you, we are committed to helping all students find a way to finance their education.
If you have any additional questions please let me know."