Want to Get an Affordable Education without Putting Yourself in Debt?

Getting an education can be expensive. No matter how much money you save in high school or as a young adult, it never seems to be enough to invest in your education. Many students, especially those looking to attend college right out of high school, end up spending thousands of dollars on other expenses such as dorm rooms, meal plans, and bookstore materials. Recent reports show that the average student pays over $13,000 per year just for room and board if they reside on campus. With most costs included college students in the United States spend an average of over $36,000 per year! That equates to a realistic down payment on a house or someone’s annual salary. In 2021, the average student loan debt per college student was reportedly over $37,000. 

Education is essential for many things including improving intellectually and having a rewarding career. So, what are the alternatives?

How can you get an education without depleting your bank account?

Online programs and certificates are becoming more and more popular for good reasons. Aside from the flexibility with busy routines and the convenience of taking a program from anywhere, students save thousands of dollars on their education. Online certificate programs can range in price but are usually a one-time cost and are significantly cheaper than a degree program. Costs typically don’t exceed $2,000 per entire program and are often much lower than that- generally only in the hundreds. Here are other ways that certificate programs help save money: 

-Not having to commute- save on gas and time spent traveling 

-Not having to purchase a parking permit or pass for school lots 

-No additional college fees such as health insurance fees (often an expense for campus learners)

-Certificate programs typically don’t require textbooks- so you don’t have to spend hundreds on new editions of textbooks for programs 

-One of the highest additional fees for college students is meal plans- taking an online certificate program will cut that expense 

-Little to no debt- Students will often pay the one-time cost of a certificate program out of pocket with no financial debt or hardship 

Are you interested in certificate programs but still unsure? What’s holding you back?

Are you still thinking about if a certificate program is the right move for you? Weigh the pros and cons and consider the many benefits of taking an online program. Making a list of all the ways you would benefit from a program (including resume improvement and career development), and what resources you would need to begin, is a great way to get started. 

For more details on boot camp options, you might be interested in, check out some online program offerings. 

                                                     

References 

Hanson, M. (2023, September 6). Average Cost of College & Tuition. Education Data Initiative. Retrieved September 11, 2023, from https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college#:~:text=Average%20Cost%20of%20Room%20%26%20Board&text=At%20private%2C%20nonprofit%20institutions%2C%20on,pay%20an%20average%20of%20%248%2C543.

Hanson, M. (2023, May 22). Average Student Loan Debt. Education Data Initiative. Retrieved September 11, 2023, from https://educationdata.org/average-student-loan-debt#:~:text=The%20average%20federal%20student%20loan,them%20have%20federal%20loan%20debt.