Is $40 Grand too much for an Associate Degree...

[WCSU1987]

Hi for the last 3 yrs been trying to get myself into a nursing program with little success.

I am looking into a private school to achieve my degree. Cost is about $3500 a semester. Have 5 semesters of nursing classes and then have to take 4 classes at the college prior to acceptance.

My thoughy process is I can retake prerequisites at the local college for $600-$800 per class. There's no guarantee I could get in where the private school has no lottery. If you obtain the points your in. The private college encourages and supports students working full time, which is a plus. Classes are 1 day a week and 1 clinical a week.

The other bonus is you can save up to $20,000 grand on their BSN program if you choose to go further and it's all online the BSN.

Appreciate the feedback.

[Wyrm74]

I am in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area and I paid about $8,000 for my ADN with all books/expenses/fees, etc. and my RN-BSN was $9,500. I suppose the value of an ADN is relative. I would never pay $40K for an ADN, but then, I already have one. Who is to say what I would be willing to pay today if I had limited options? If it is worth it to you, go for it. I made sure my grades were impeccable while completing my pre-reqs to ensure the most options possible when applying to schools, as programs in my area are highly competitive. Good luck!

[WCSU1987]

I am in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area and I paid about $8,000 for my ADN with all books/expenses/fees, etc. and my RN-BSN was $9,500. I suppose the value of an ADN is relative. I would never pay $40K for an ADN, but then, I already have one. Who is to say what I would be willing to pay today if I had limited options? If it is worth it to you, go for it. I made sure my grades were impeccable while completing my pre-reqs to ensure the most options possible when applying to schools, as programs in my area are highly competitive. Good luck!

Not saying that it's not possible. I tried but I can only pull off B's and 1 A for pre reqs. Have about 5 to 6 public ADN programs that have about 200-300 apply to one of the schools and only 60 of those are accepted a year to that one school they applied to. It is competitive.

[Vicki17, BSN]

If the cost for that private school is 3500 a semester then it doesn't seem over the top. But I also don't see how that adds up to 40K as you mentioned in the title so I'm not sure if you are talking about the same school. My state school is about 5K a semester and prices keep going up. Maybe state schools where you are seem cheaper. If you can't get in anywhere else and this school as accredited and people there get the kind of jobs you like then I seems OK. But 40k is a lot so do your research.

[/username, BSN, RN]

You keep trying to justify it despite many people telling you its not worth it. Why even ask for advice of you already have your mind made up?

[WCSU1987]

You keep trying to justify it despite many people telling you its not worth it. Why even ask for advice of you already have your mind made up?

Ha because I an trying to wrap my head around it. Only opition left in the tank. Bit nervous about how I am going to pay for it. Find out Friday about FASFA.

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

OK, I'm going to put this bluntly: you have been posting about which schools to go to and which path to take for a couple of years now. You have been wait listed at the community colleges and from what you said, don't have the points required to get into the program at the private school yet. So honestly, at this point, it might be worth to get into whichever program accepts you. I could have easily gotten into any of the schools, I have a 4.0 and a 91.3 on my TEAS, but I chose the 40k school because it is the only one that allows me to work full-time and take evening classes with weekend clinicals and it's a great school. So yes, it IS worth it to some people as it is the only way some of us would be able to complete school at all. The rest is up to you, no stranger can tell you if it's worth it to YOU.

[CDub72]

I understand how you feel.. I unfortunately got lured in to a private school no line no wait- school never got accredited and low pass rates.. But my situation was a little different- just please make sure this institution is accredited, and legit before taking on that financial responsibility. Can you find a bridge program? I would take my pre-req at community college and transfer in

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Umm yes way to much!! also RN-BSN generally costs 10K-15K, should not cost even remotely close to any amount requiring 20K off!!

Annie

[broughden]

Ha because I an trying to wrap my head around it. Only opition left in the tank. Bit nervous about how I am going to pay for it. Find out Friday about FASFA.

Its not the ONLY option left to you.

There are numerous careers outside of the nursing field. If your only option to obtain an RN degree is a mountain of debt due to non-competitive grades, then one of these other careers might be a better fit for you.

[Knotanoonurse]

Some places desperate for nurses offer a sign on bonus. It could help you with debt once you are done. If you do it, study hard so you finish on time! Good luck. ������

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Break down cost of schools here

LPN - $30-$35 Thousand

Associate RN Program State School- $25 Thousand

Private Associate RN Program $40-$45 Thousand

State BSN Program - $40 Thousand to $60 Thousand

Private BSN Programs- $60 -$120 Thousand

So it's about $1200 for 1 class and $5550-$6000 except one semester is close to $10K.

So I have to take 4 to 5 fluffy classes that be about $5K. So about $38-$40K.

The $5K can be covered by work so I have to figure how to finance the $35K. If I take private loans out can utilize tuition reimbursement. So that's $10K knocked off. So it be about $25K to $30K I need in private loans. If possible can knock that to $20K if I somehow can achieve $10K in scholarships.

I only used $5K of federal aid for my previous degree but only aid probably eligible for is a. Pell Grant. I doubt can achieve $40K in Pell Grants.

Sounds like an awful lot, but I haven't researched this topic lately.

Look into private scholarships, also Federal Nurse Traineeship.

Best wishes.

[Daddie O, BSN, RN]

I'm just graduating a BSN program from a very competitive state school. I did all my pre-reqs at community colleges. My tuition at the state school wax about $16K for 2 years accelerated program. If the nursing programs in your area are impacted, and you don't have the grades to be accepted in a competitive field then you either have to move to a non-impacted area or bite the bullet pay the exorbitant private school tuition.