When pursuing higher education, it is important to consider price as a factor. It is no secret that higher education can be costly and, thus, prevent some people from pursuing it. With the implementation of new technology, costs have significantly decreased with the introduction of online higher education degrees. But why is online education lowering the cost of higher education?

Reduced Overhead Costs

One of the main contributing reasons why online higher education costs are more affordable than traditional higher education costs is due to the dramatic increase in overhead.

Students who participate in school online are not required to attend classes in person.  This means there is no need to create a building that houses classrooms with electricity, heating, and other key elements for said class. This provides cost savings to higher education institutions, which allows them to provide online courses at a lesser cost.

Need For Textbooks Decreases

Another factor to consider when considering online higher education is the cost savings you will receive by not buying textbooks. Most online courses come with the course materials included, which means you do not need to purchase books in most cases.

This is great news because the average student will spend anywhere between $628 and $1,471 per semester on books at traditional University higher education programs.

Additionally, the resources provided in most online courses are permanently available to the enrolled student. This means they can still be referenced later on in their studies, adding more overall value to the course.

Dorming Not Required

When thinking about University, many people also think about dorming or living on campus. Campus housing is an extremely expensive cost and can add between $8,000-$15,000 to a student’s education bill. 

Students who participate in online education can either rent an apartment or continue living at home with their parents. This will cut the housing bill in half or completely, increasing cost savings significantly.

No Commute Required

For students who live at home but previously commuted to school, online education is a great way to save on fuel and maintenance costs for a vehicle. Since this type of education is completely remote, a vehicle is not required. Cutting out the cost of gas, car payment, and car insurance can cause you to save a significant amount of money each month.

Lowers Cost Gap For Foreign Students

Pursuing an online master’s degree is also beneficial to reduce the cost gap for foreign students. Students who want to partake in a higher education program in a different country will find themselves facing more advantageous costs if they choose an online program.

This is largely due to the fact that housing is not required, and the student can participate from the comfort of their own home, as long as they have an internet connection and pay close attention to the time zone the class is being held in. This opens the door for students worldwide to access quality education at an affordable price.

Affordable Education For Everyone

Online higher education is opening the doors to students all over the world. It allows them to take part in high-quality classes at affordable rates. Not only does this assist students in reaching their career goals, but it also assists them by reducing the amount of debt they will take on and have to pay back in the future.