Same degree.
Half the cost.

An online Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Administration from Purdue University costs $66,780 tuition for 180 quarter credits. The same degree from Purdue University can cost $33,001.

 

EXAMPLE

Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University

NORMAL PLAN

$66,780

Purdue University Bachelor’s of Science

  • B.S. Health Administration online from Purdue University: $66,780 tuition for 180 quarter credits.

PROVENDOS PLAN

$33,001

Purdue University Bachelor’s of Science

  • A.S. degree in Health online from Minnesota West Comm. & Tech. College: $6,096 tuition for 60 semester credits (equaling 90 quarter credits).

    Remaining credits needed from Purdue: $33,390 tuition for 90 quarter credits.

    Half of the remaining credits could be earned online from a cheaper 4-year school, Fort Hayes State University: $10,210 tuition for 30 semester credits (equaling 45 quarter credits).

    The remaining 45 quarter credits from Purdue would cost $16,695.

    Total cost of the Purdue online degree with transfer credits: $33,001.

    You can earn the Purdue University diploma for half the cost.

 

Cost-Cutting Tactic

Earn credits at Community College to transfer towards your degree.

  • All of the schools listed in our database accept transfer credits, and some will allow up to 75% of total credits to be transferred.

    Tuition at Community colleges is generally much less than university tuition.

    The College Promise catalog lists over 350 free college programs across the US available to qualifying students. Programs and requirements vary—check out your state’s page to see if you are eligible for free courses near you.

    In addition to reducing total cost and potential debt, this strategy can make expensive "name schools" like Purdue University more affordable.

 

Get ahead and save.

By taking advantage of free online resources like CLEP and high school advanced placement courses, you can get ahead and save on college tuition.

 

EXAMPLE

Fitchburg State Online Degree in Business Administration

NORMAL PLAN

$38,520

Fitchburg State Online Degree in Business Administration

  • Online degree in Business Administration & Management from Fitchburg State University is $38,520 for 120 semester credits.

PROVENDOS PLAN

$28,890

Fitchburg State Online Degree in Business Administration

  • 30 Semester credits transferred via CLEP exam, free using Modern States “Freshman Year for Free,” allows you to deduct $9,630.

    Business Administration & Management from Fitchburg State is now $28,890.

    Besides the monetary incentive, taking a free college course will expand your knowledge base of the given subject and it will hone your skills as an online learner at the college level.

Cost-Cutting Tactic

Reduce costs by taking AP and CLEP exams to get college credits and apply them towards your degree.

  • AP (Advanced Placement) and CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams cost $95 and $89 respectively. If you score a 4 or 5 on an AP, or over 50 on a CLEP exam, that score can translate into college credit. Each college determines what score it will accept for credit, some will take a 3 on the AP exam for certain subjects. Other schools do not accept the AP or CLEP for credit, however they may exempt a student from a required course if they scored high enough on the equivalent AP exam.

    One can take advanced courses in high school to prepare for the exam or take free courses online through EdX or Modern States. As part of their “Freshman Year for Free” program, Modern States will reimburse students’ CLEP fees if they used the Modern States courses to prepare for the exam. Some schools limit the number of AP/CLEP credits which may be applied towards their degree, with the most common limit being 30 credits.

 

Military Service

If you have served at least three years of active duty in the US armed forces you can earn veteran’s benefits that will cover in-state tuition at almost any public college. Many soldiers can also earn academic credit for their military training. The Air Force, for example, has its own accredited community college and awards college credit for much of its training.

 

Military Academies

If you are considering a career as a military officer, attending one of the five armed forces academies can get you a free high-quality undergraduate education. Free tuition is available to qualifying cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. But getting admitted to one of these academies isn’t easy, requiring students to pass rigorous academic, physical, and personal character entrance standards, and, except for the Coast Guard Academy, secure a letter of recommendation from your US congressional representative as well. As with many other free tuition programs, only the tuition is free, leaving you to cover certain other expenses, such as room and board and costs related to your uniforms.