The accelerated global shift towards online and hybrid learning models has changed the way many students approach higher education, and how to budget for it. There are many different ways to calculate college costs, but the financial aggregate varies based on a number of factors. Every institution that offers a higher education degree online has a cost structure, depending on the type of degree and the manner by which it is obtained. The cost of acquiring a college degree online is calculated differently than the cost of acquiring an education offline. Likewise, there are differences in American and European educational costs. Understanding the differences across options can help prospective students make informed decisions about attaining quality education at a reasonable price in a virtual setting.
Calculating Costs for Online College in the US vs. in Europe
The price of higher education in the United States is typically based on the cost of educational materials, such as textbooks, the costs of maintaining the learning environment or space, and the educators’ fees or faculty salaries. In the US, students frequently have the option of taking an online course and acquiring the same credits they would from attending in-person classes. As such, they may have more access to virtual materials instead of physical textbooks, and can study at their own pace without leaving the comfort of their homes. The main benefit of studying online is that there are no transportation expenses such as gas or parking, no cost of renting physical space such as classrooms and learning facilities, and fewer overhead costs in general.
In Europe, college costs are largely based on various cost-of-living expenses, such as commuting to and from school and paying rent. The cost of living tends to run high in Europe. Students might save money on transportation if they attend classes virtually, but they still have to pay for everyday expenses in addition to educational materials, even if they’re participating in classes online only. This means that the cost of education does not fluctuate as much from in-person to online. Attending college online affordably is certainly possible in Europe, but costs are calculated differently.
Private vs. Public Institutions and Tuition Costs
In the US, an increasing number of private and public universities have started offering more online courses. Some can be taken for credit to achieve graduate degrees, while others are designed for bachelor’s degrees only. Domestic institutions of higher education typically offer courses at a “b” average in the context of online studies.
Students who want to get their master’s degree have an option of attending hybrid online programs at affordable colleges. Hybrid programs combine traditional classroom lectures with virtual learning platforms and resources. Hybrid courses can sometimes cost more in tuition than the traditional online classes. However, students can take advantage of career counseling services offered along with their online courses, which is an added bonus.
The American higher education system offers two types of colleges: public and private. Public colleges are non-profit institutions that are funded by taxpayers and federal grants. While private colleges tend to be more expensive and more prestigious by reputation, local community colleges and state universities also offer online college courses that are more affordable. The cost of education varies greatly, which is why it is important to understand how online college costs differ in the United States.
In Europe, the cost of education does not vary as much between schools, whether students choose distance learning programs or in-person. The cost of educating students online is less expensive, but tuitions are often offered for free, and students allocate their budgets towards other academic resources and costs of living. In general, the cost of attending a university in a European country is much less expensive than it is in the US. In some countries and for some EU nationals, it’s free altogether. These European countries include:
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Denmark
- Austria
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
Additional Services and Costs
Many colleges in the US offer a variety of extracurricular services and support to remote and virtually-based students. These online services may include chat rooms, discussion boards, virtual classrooms, and faculty support such as advising and tutoring services. Online resources aren’t always included by general tuition, and can cost extra.
In some cases, online college courses have a higher success rate of completion than the equivalent courses in a traditional classroom setting. However, this doesn’t mean that online courses are easier to complete than other courses. Students who struggle with time management and exam preparation might need additional academic and extracurricular support from faculty members. It really depends on the student’s individual learning style.
Challenges with Distance Learning
Distance learning is becoming increasingly popular in areas that are remotely secluded, and distant from metropolitan areas where there are more academic resources and physical proximity to universities. However, the challenge with distance learning in rural areas where there’s less infrastructure and urban development is having reliable internet to access online academia.
Students need to have the proper technology to participate in classes remotely, including computers and other hardware, software, and internet access. If they don’t have this at home and can’t afford to acquire it, online college-level courses aren’t an option.
University Scholarships
Higher education systems and business models in the US and European countries may differ and vary, but European colleges and universities are frequently more generous with scholarships. The European scholarship culture has outpaced the US by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. In an effort to encourage young adults to pursue their academic ambitions, many schools offer online courses to students at discounted prices, or on full scholarship. These opportunities are typically intended for nationals, but foreigners can still sometimes benefit from taking online courses in another country at a comparable cost to domestic courses.
Some online programs may require students to live and work in the country for a duration of time, even if they attend virtual classes, partly for the sake of cultural immersion. Foreign students might find this challenging for various reasons. In general, one of the greatest advantages of distance learning models is that students can attend classes online from any location, provided they have the necessary equipment and internet access.
When applying for a scholarship in the US, it’s important to remember that many do not cover all of the costs of studying. In addition to tuition, there’s also the cost of housing and other living essentials. Many students prefer and seek scholarships that can offer stipends to cover these costs.
Types of Degrees
The types of degrees offered online vary, depending on what students aspire towards. For example, business courses and law school usually correlate with each other in most European countries. The primary difference occurs with doctorate programs. You can get these at any number of universities in Europe, but they typically involve longer academic tenure and level of commitment.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can often study in more than one country. Europe has open doors for students who want to earn a master’s degree, but the standards are often higher. However, there are many universities in the US and Australia that also offer these types of advanced degrees. They may be slightly fewer in numbers, but they’re available and worth looking into if your goal is to obtain an advanced education the most reasonable way possible.
University Grants
What’s the difference between a scholarship and a grant? Scholarships require you to invest a specific amount of effort as well as demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Most scholarships involve a lengthy application process, and getting awarded any amount of money isn’t guaranteed. Grants, on the other hand, don’t require any special credit or effort on your part. There are some grant programs that give cash directly to low-income families, but there are no scholarships available for this type of subsidized funding.
The US Department of Education now offers both scholarship programs and grant funding for those who want to take courses online in the US. They may partially or fully subsidize eligible students based on financial need and academic performance. For students who qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, they can apply for up to eight scholarship programs each year. These programs cover tuition, educational materials, and equipment, and may even subsidize living expenses during online attendance.
Catalogues for Online Courses
If you are considering taking an online class, you should explore course catalogues offered by the institution of preference. Some colleges use their catalogues to provide a breakdown of costs for each course, allowing you to compare costs side-by-side before you decide on which college to choose. Be aware that some student loans or financial aid programs will require that you pay at least part of your course fees whether or not you attend online classes, so be sure to read the fine print on any agreement you sign before you borrow and matriculate.
If you are looking for a reputable and legitimate online college anywhere in the world, one of the best things to consider is academic accreditation. While there’s no government-imposed mandate that online colleges be fully accredited, some schools are not very transparent about their status. In fact, some institutions have been forced to shut down online programs due to failure to fully inform students. Online educational programs often don’t adhere to the same rules as traditional collegiate programs.
School Accreditation
For those thinking of attending college courses online, it’s important to understand the difference between traditional and online college accreditation. For a degree from a traditional school to be considered fully accredited, it must pass what is called a “secondary accreditation” exam. These exams measure the level of knowledge, skills, and abilities that the institution has provided and pass four different tests.
This is the type of accreditation most students think they should look for when finding a good online college. However, not all online colleges are officially accredited or legitimized by the US Department of Education or relevant governing entity. In order to get an official degree from an unrecognized college, students should conduct extensive and conclusive research on the accreditation procedures in place to ensure they receive the level of education they intend to.
Conclusion
When navigating online degree options, it’s also important to research the accrediting body for the specific online program you are enrolling in to reach your academic goals. Some colleges work with one or two accreditation agencies, while others are accredited by several different accreditation agencies. The main reason for this is to prevent students from being misled into enrolling in a program that does not offer a certain level of academic quality or one that may end up wasting time and money. For example, online colleges that are accredited by one or two accrediting agencies will usually cost less money than online colleges that are accredited by multiple agencies.
In addition, some online programs will offer substantial financial aid to prospective students in order to help them afford the tuition. It’s important and to your advantage to check out how these financial aid opportunities are described on each school’s website, and if you meet the requirements for eligibility.
Upon finding an online college program that meets your criteria of expectations and needs, it’s important to follow up with further research and investigate all your options for taking online courses. Take the time to check out the school’s online curriculum and learn as much as you can about their background, reputation, overarching mission, and what kind of educational experience and opportunities they can offer you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear. Online college programs are not the right choice for every aspiring student, but they can be a great option for many people, especially during an ongoing global pandemic.
If you take the time to find a quality online college accreditation, you can improve your chances of attaining a high-quality advanced education and navigating the career of your choice, wherever you live and originate from.
