Cost Of Education

[huck]

So I am getting myself ready to get into college for Visual Communications. The cost is very overwhelming. I get help with grants and loans, but still always end up having to pay. I am doing the online classes because my work schedule doesnt allow me to do it any other way. For just classes (no books, no software, nothing) its just under $60,000. Those that went to school or are going to school, does this sound right or am I being taken to the cleaners??

[DesignVHL]

sounds about right to me....but it all depends on your school, tuition, and supplies...it's different for everyone....my school was 18K/semester...tack on living, school, and art expenses to that. :)

[CkretAjint]

Mine was about $80k when I was done. School, housing, books, loans here and there.... It all adds up quickly and then takes 20+ years to pay off. LOL :D

[Jackimalyn]

huck, im doing AIO, (art institute online) and its costing me about that. I think you get what you pay for, though. Im enjoying it Good luck~

[tZ]

lets see…

((($2500 x 3) * 3 )*4)

and thats just tuition…

[huck]

BTW, I am going to Westwood Online. Anyone care to comment on my choice?

[CkretAjint]

((($2500 x 3) * 3 )*4)

$90k ;) (yes I use a calculator. LOL)

[tZ]

more then that if you count how much tuition has raised over the course of 3 years,lol.

[MD]

BTW, I am going to Westwood Online. Anyone care to comment on my choice?

I wouldn't attend a college that advertises on late night television. There has to be a decent university or tech school close to you that a graphics program and would be more affordable. There is NO way I would 60K for online courses from a "alleged" diploma mill.

Read this article (http://www.wfaa.com/s/dws/wfaa/bharris/stories/wfaa050221_am_westwood.cf8856f9.html)

But the sales pitch doesn't mention the fine print on the back of the contract, which said "Westwood College of Technology makes no guarantee of credit transfer."

In fact, these students found that when they presented their Westwood transcripts to other schools, the reaction was anything but positive.

"You can just keep this ... because we don't recognize this institution as a school," Moers recalled one school's representative as saying.

[Jackimalyn]

if your stuck with onlint courses, make sure your school is accredited. try AIO (http://www.aionline.edu/) or The Academy of Art (http://online.academyart.edu/degrees.html)

[huck]

Wow thanks for the advise MD. Maybe i need to rethink going to Westwood. I think I am stuck into a contract though.

[cmont]

Im sitting with about 120k in debt when I finish. So your pretty lucky!

[MD]

Wow thanks for the advise MD. Maybe i need to rethink going to Westwood. I think I am stuck into a contract though.

Have you paid them anything yet? If not I would advise against it.

[huck]

Have you paid them anything yet? If not I would advise against it.

I havent paid anything yet except a 100 application fee to the school. I got finicial aid for the 1st 3 terms, and owe 2,000 plus books.

[MD]

Can you cancel and recover all of your money?

[huck]

i have to reread over my contract. it says 3 busniess days to cancel once you sign it. I havent started, thats not till next week. I am going to email my advisor and see.

Looks like I should have done my research before signing up. My friend goes to the school, she had nothing but good to say about it.

[hood]

i dont know if its true. but its sumthin to look into!

i goto school at EIU and the graphic design program here is VERY basic...
this school art program is more focused on traditional arts. when you look into a school, look at work done by students.

[Jackimalyn]

Im sitting with about 120k in debt when I finish. So your pretty lucky!

my boyfriends in the same boat. 120k plus interest :eek: hell be payin almost 200K. close to 250k if he consolidates. hes a software engineer now and although he makes like twice as much as me, after bills, we about even out

[cmont]

damn Jacki! Thanx for the great forward projection of my future... lol JK

now where did I put those scratch off tickets?