Huge cost differences in online MSN programs?

[FreudianSlip]

I'm trying to wrap my head around this..any explanations? As I look at MSN-Ed programs that are CCNE accredited...there appears to be similar programs that have huge price differences. Programs like U of Phoenix, Grand Canyon U and many others are like 20K easily. The there are other programs like Western Governors U, Aspen U that are substantially lower...half or less than. The Aspen U program with prepay option is less than 5k??? Can that be right? Am I missing something here...I am a bit slow :) ?

[ddunnrn]

One answer that appears right away is that some of these "Universities" are for-profit, and are notorious for being after the big bucks and not so much for educating the public. There have been many news programs on TV exposing the practices of these companies. and most are not beneficial to the students. Be careful and investigate any institution you are applying to, and get third party information, because some of them are unscrupulous, and not above lying to you to get your money.

[33762FL]

There are three kinds of universities in the US:

Public Non Profit - this is your state university system, city universities, and community colleges. This is always the least expensive option to get an education.

Private non-profit - This is Harvard, Yale, Cornell, NYU, Emory, Tulane, Vassar, Farleigh Dickinson, etc. Substantially more expensive than a public university but for the same degrees. All revenue gets somehow funneled back into the university for research, teacher salary, improvements to campus, etc.

Private FOR-profit - University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon, WGU and Aspen are all for-profit corporations. so are Kaplan, Devry/Chamberlain, and Walden. Some are owned by hedge funds. They are very expensive because they money they make goes into the pockets of the owners and shareholders, just like GE, Ford Motor, Nike, Walmart, Sears, etc. Just like any other corporation, they exist solely to make money for the owners and shareholders rather than to educate students at the most efficient cost. Unless you enjoy being ripped off for some strange reason, I would stay far, FAR away from any of these schools.

[MsPC]

Then you also should consider their accreditation. IME the ones that are regionally accredited seem to have the least issues with pursuing further education than those nationally accredited or not accredited. You have some great explanations on the for profit and the not-for-profit.

[NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN]

My spouse got his MEd from Grand Canyon, and although it was very expensive, they allow you to take your classes --more or less-- at your own pace. "Half time" is usually considered 2 classes per semester, and they are done in 8-week increments, so you take really 1 class at a time. But if you want to work faster, as he did, he piled on more classes and got out in a year practicum/student-teaching included whereas the state u wanted their students to piddle along sitting in class 3 nights a week away from their families for 3 years. The 2 years saved, the convenience, and the pay increase he got was more than worth it.

If I'm not mistaken the GCU program for MSN Ed focus is 9 classes? That is...3 or 4 semesters? It might be worth it to graduate a year ahead of state u. They also tend to offer classes year round starting all the time, opposed to one-time entry per year for many institutions. GCU has affiliations with certain hospitals where they will cut 500$ off your tuition every semester. Ask if your hospital "counts" if you go GCU.

Just be careful what you are looking for. There are many programs that do not lead to higher certifications, as they are not accredited, and there have been lots of students very angry and very broke after graduation. And I don't know how these MSN will count towards going for a PhD or DNP later?