MAXIMIZE YOUR COLLEGE INVESTMENT
Get the most for your money from a college degree
From program rankings to degree offerings by state, you'll find everything you need to know at Great Value Colleges.
WHAT VALUE REALLY MEANS
Weigh Every Angle Before You Enroll
Compare the Real Cost
Tuition, fees, housing, and time to degree all shape the price of a program. The cheapest school is not always the best value.
Check Quality and Rankings
Accredited programs meet peer-reviewed standards, and credits earned at one are far more likely to transfer toward a graduate degree.
Plan How You'll Pay
Scholarships, grants, federal loans, and employer tuition assistance all change what a degree finally costs you.
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Featured Rankings and Guides
Every ranking weighs the cost of tuition against the quality of the program, so you can see which degrees pay you back.
Explore Degrees by Subject
Start with a field you care about, then compare the programs, costs, and careers that follow from it.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Financial aid changes what a degree really costs
Aid is the difference between a sticker price and what you actually pay. Research every option before you enroll in a program.
Where the money comes from:
- Scholarships and grants that never have to be repaid
- Federal Stafford loans at a reduced interest rate
- The FAFSA, which sets your eligibility for loans, scholarships, and grants
- Private education loans with competitive rates and deferred terms
- Employer tuition assistance for certifications and advanced degrees
- Loan forgiveness for an extended service commitment in fields like nursing
What a Degree Costs by Program Level
Public schools save state residents the most at every level. On-campus room and board adds roughly $10,000 a year on top of the tuition below.
| Program Level | Public, In-State | Out-of-State or Private | Typical Online Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate (community college) | About $3,000 per year | $7,000-$10,000 per year at a private two-year college | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Bachelor's (four-year) | About $6,000 per year | $18,000 per year non-resident; $30,000-$40,000 per year private | About $62,000 over five years |
| Master's | About $12,000 per year | $20,000 per year non-resident; $62,000 per year private | About $25,000 over two years |
| Doctorate or professional | About $40,000 per year | $80,000 per year non-resident; $108,000 per year private | About $68,000 over four years |
Featured Online Programs
Our partner schools offer programs built around working students. Visit their sites for degree options, start dates, transfer credit, and tuition.
Keep up with the latest
Campus trends, scholarship news, and career advice to help you get more out of the money you spend on school.
