Welcome back to our blog series on ways to save money in college! As an affordable online college in Pasadena, we at Pathways College believe that you should not have to go broke in order to get a degree. Sadly, however, this is usually the case for new students.
Wherever you can save money in college, you should. It might not seem like a big deal at the time, but everything adds up. Take a look at some ways to save from Pathways College, and enroll in our business administration or liberal studies program to enhance your academics and career path!
If It Makes Sense, Wait
Seniors in high school are chatting excitedly and frantically about college — where they’re applying, where they’re going, and what they’re studying. This is all well and fine if you’re a senior who knows exactly what you want to go to school for and are ready to start (though most people do end up changing majors at least once). But if you’re not sure, it’s OK to wait on attending college. It’s far too easy to get swept up in the pressure of following the trends and getting into school, but taking a gap year or two to figure out what you really want can end up being in your best interests.
Waiting on attending college might help you further decide what you want to study, which can save you from paying excessive tuition if you end up switching majors (which, as we mentioned, most college students do). It can also give you some time to work and save up, and you might end up appreciating your college years even more.
If you’re gung-ho on attending college, absolutely go for it. But if you’re not yet sure and are trying to figure things out, you could end up saving a lot of money, solely by holding off when you start college.
Look Into Affordable Online Colleges
Online colleges are usually significantly less expensive than colleges that require you to attend in person. In addition to cheaper tuition, here are a few other bonuses that come from enrolling in an online program:
- No book fees: Buying books for your classes are often a huge expense and can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. Most online courses have their resources online, saving you from added expenses.
- No transportation costs: If you’re living off-campus, you won’t need to spend money on gas and parking to get to class. You can just relish in the comfort of your own home, a coffee shop, the library, or wherever else you’re studying.
- No out-of-state expenses: Online colleges (like ours here in Pasadena), are based out of different locations, but you don’t have to move there to attend. You can avoid out-of-state tuition fees (which are normally double or even sometimes triple the cost of in-state tuition) while still attending an out-of-state school.
If you’ve thought your only way to save money in college is to stock up on Ramen and eat rice and beans, we’ve got good news: there are more effective ways to save big bucks while getting your degree. Pathways College is a great place to start. Look into our admissions page to find the information you need to get started, and to begin your application process!