Being a student with today's economy

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I was scheduled to start my BSN schooling last month and the school I had selected was Univ. of Phoenix online. The total cost for my BSN and MSN came to around $60k. My mom about blew a gasket when I was telling her this. However, I have a pre-teenager and a one year old and was looking for something I could do online at my own pace. My mom says now is a terrible time to have a loan out for anything...she goes through the roof whenever I mention it...granted, she has financially helped me out of some uncomfortable jams, but I'm paying her back.

So I told the school I wanted to change my start date to Jan. of '09. Of course they wanted to know why and I told them it was for personal reasons. Actually, I wanted to "work" on my mom because I will really need her support.

I guess my question is: is everyone else's schooling this pricey and if so, how do you plan to pay back the money? UOP says I don't have to pay it back until 6 mos. after graduating with my MSN...that is several years down the road of course...and hopefully by then, my one year old will be starting full time school enabling me to start full time work again.

I guess I want to see if anyone here is putting off their education because of the way things are financially in the country right now? Or does it really matter so much?

Thanks for your time and blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Stepdown, ICU.

It's only going to get worse...

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hi:

have you thought about somewhere closer to home that offers online classes as well? does the uop classes also include your pre-reqs? if so, maybe you could do some pre-reqs at a local community college or area college that may be cheaper for you since it will be "in state" instead of online. once your pre-reqs are out of the way, maybe it will cut down some of the expenses for your uop classes. just a suggestion.

jadu1106

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I was scheduled to start my BSN schooling last month and the school I had selected was Univ. of Phoenix online. The total cost for my BSN and MSN came to around $60k. My mom about blew a gasket when I was telling her this. However, I have a pre-teenager and a one year old and was looking for something I could do online at my own pace. My mom says now is a terrible time to have a loan out for anything...she goes through the roof whenever I mention it...granted, she has financially helped me out of some uncomfortable jams, but I'm paying her back.

So I told the school I wanted to change my start date to Jan. of '09. Of course they wanted to know why and I told them it was for personal reasons. Actually, I wanted to "work" on my mom because I will really need her support.

I guess my question is: is everyone else's schooling this pricey and if so, how do you plan to pay back the money? UOP says I don't have to pay it back until 6 mos. after graduating with my MSN...that is several years down the road of course...and hopefully by then, my one year old will be starting full time school enabling me to start full time work again.

I guess I want to see if anyone here is putting off their education because of the way things are financially in the country right now? Or does it really matter so much?

Thanks for your time and blessings, Michelle

That is a huge amount of change. You need to really think of spending that kind of money when it will take years for you to pay off. It is too much for a degree when you can research the community colleges for the same. You can find some of the CC classes offer on line classes. Plus if you have the support of your mother she can sit for you child while you attend classes. What happens the CC are geared towards the untraditional student. The have schedules that will work for you. My Graduate degree cost 12K total. My two undergraduate degrees may have come to 6K total. So no expense for me. So think about the future with this type of loan. Students loans are NOT FORGIVEN. They will follow you forever, especially this amount of money.:typing

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UoP is expensive. Period. I wonder why though?

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I went to Hawaii Pacific University. Tution for nursing was $8,000 when I started. When I graduated I was paying over $9,000 a semester. I have check with some other students Tution is now over $10,000 a semester.

So I guess what I am saying is although the econemy is not great. Tution is going to rise not fall. Also Nurses are always in demand. Depending on where you live (what part of the country) you salary will be different, but you should not have a difficult time getting a job.

By the way I owe over $80,000. Most of it in private loans through sallie mae. I pay about $780 a month for my loans.... However I make 1,500-2,000 every two weeks.

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Many state schools are offering a RN to MSN nowadays, and it is still cheaper than 60K. They also have classes that you can attend around your schedule and also offer on line classes. :typing

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Specializes in LTC.

I would never put off my education to "just work".Pushing my way through nursing school is the only way I'm going to get out of my economic crisis. Things are only going to get worst, which is why I'm so determined to finish school. Ofcourse, I didn't choose nursing just for the money, but its definetly going to help

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I'm currently working on my ADN , however a friend of mine who recently graduated w/ her ADN is working at a local hospital & her employer is footing the bill for her to get her BSN. She will have to work at the hospital for a 2-3yr period in trade for the tuition reimbursemet. Sounds like a deal to me! :idea:

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You're not getting a Masters in Art History. Nursing is in demand, and even if your local market is overwhelmed with new grad nurses, you'll be able to find a job somewhere and should be making enough to pay down $60K.

That being said- are you sure there aren't cheaper options close by? Or even closer options online from schools that are known for on-campus programs? I'm not sure I'd pay $60K for a degree from the University of Phoenix- I don't know how it works in nursing, but I don't think it's really well regarded.

Here are a few links I found in case you are interested in looking at other options:

http://mudirect.missouri.edu/degprog/nursing/rn-bsn.shtm

http://www.chamberlain.edu/googleflexible/?gclid=CKu8m5nSiZYCFQgRFQodcSCYEw

http://www.semo.edu/study/nursing/majors.htm

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Specializes in Taking one day at a time....

I took the prereqs at my community college, and then got accepted into the program.. So i'm still at the same community college. It only costs about 2000 a semester. After I graduate, I'll have my ADN and then I'll transfer to a nearby state college that will actually pay my tuition for me to get my BSN, granted that I work in their affiliated hospital for X number of years. Its a fair trade. I'm thankful that my education won't cost me an arm and a leg, whereas everyone else I know is up to their necks in student loans. :no:

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U of P is expensive. The people I know who are enrolled there are getting tuition reimbursement from their employers which covers most of their expense. If you don't have tuition reimbursement you should probably stick with community college or state u's and that should keep your tuition bill affordable. If you can find a private school that offers you a scholarship or grant that is good too. I am taking prereqs at community college and paying out of pocket. This is a worthwhile investment. My point - I absolutely would not put off nursing school because of finances but I would look for a cheaper option.

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