Understanding Online College Fee Structures: Types and Tips to Save Money

Earning your degree online is more affordable. If you attend a public online college, you’ll spend $31,165 less than in an on-campus college. This is because the college fee structures of online and on-campus colleges differ.

In general, online college fees are more affordable than on-campus college fees. This applies to both the tuition per credit and the mandatory fees, among others. Online students also spend less on meals, transportation costs, and other campus-related costs.

But it doesn’t mean that you can overlook online college fees, either. You must still be mindful of minimal fees. If you’re not careful, these will add up into hundreds of dollars.

Keep in mind, too, that tuition and fees comprise more than 50% of total cost of attendance. You must always be aware of the tuition and fees you’re paying. Otherwise, you’re missing out on cost-saving opportunities.

Here, we’ll discuss college fee structures as well as the types of fees that online colleges charge. We’ll also look into effective ways of reducing these fees. When you understand and manage them, your online degree becomes more affordable. You can focus more on your studies and graduate with less debt.

Related Articles:

• From Application to Graduation: Navigating The Stages of Online Student Fees
• High Value Colleges: How To Choose Affordable Online Colleges
• How to Find the Most Affordable Online Education: A Guide for Total Costs
• Uncovering Hidden Costs of Online Learning: Tips for Finding Affordable Colleges
• Understanding Fee Transparency in Online Education: Why It Matters

What Are Online College Fees?

Online college fees are the different charges that students pay upon enrollment. These are usually stated as part of tuition – tuition and fees – but are separate charges. 

Tuition is usually stated in per credit terms, such as $100 per credit. You will agree that it’s the most upfront charge you’ll encounter in your college bill. There are no hidden charges in tuition per credit – what’s stated is what’s charged. 

This cannot be said for fees – hidden charges are the bane of students and parents. Furthermore, fees usually aren’t covered by regulatory caps. Many states have caps on tuition that protect students from predatory practices. 

What are online college fees exactly? These are costs of education itemized into specific charges including:

• Application fees
• Enrollment fees
• Technology fees
• Course materials fees
• Activity fees 

These online college fees are necessary for the following purposes: 

Create and maintain the digital infrastructure. 

The learning management system (LMS) and other digital components must be robust. These must have the capacity to handle thousands of users and their demands. The digital infrastructure must also be secure against cyberattacks with its sensitive information. These cost money, and fees fund them.

Provide satisfactory student support services.

The best online colleges provide extensive student support services for their students. Academic advising, writing and math services, and technical support are among these services. Again, these cost money with the students charged for the delivery of these services. 

Fund online learning-related activities and services.

From admission to graduation, online students receive a wide range of services. These include virtual labs and internships, course development, and graduation services. When you and your fellow students pay the fees, you’re funding these aspects, too. 

Let’s go back to the bundling of tuition and fees. These come together because colleges usually have restrictions on tuition increases. The restrictions come from these sources: 

• States can limit tuition increases, particularly among public institutions. The restriction comes from mandates and political pressure for low tuition. Wisconsin, for example, ordered temporary tuition free for almost a decade (2013-2021).
• Colleges don’t increase tuition beyond what their target market can take. Higher education doesn’t exist in a bubble – it’s subject to demand and supply, too. 

Since colleges cannot increase tuition willy-nilly, their next resort is fees. Colleges use fees to fund activities and services that tuition cannot. Note, too, that colleges have been providing more services than ever, a trend that started in the 1980s. 

With this in mind, it pays to know about what you’re paying for before enrolling. You can make an informed decision about the best online college, cost-wise. Financial planning, including budgeting, becomes more effective with the information, too. You can explore financial aid options and incorporate these fees into your budget.

Types of Student Fees

College fee structures differ between online colleges. You must then always compare the fees between the online colleges you’re considering. With that said, here are the common types of student fees and their purposes.

Tuition fees

These are also known simply as “tuition” to differentiate them from “fees.” However, for purposes of discussion, tuition fees cover the primary costs of education. Foremost of these costs are the: 

• Compensation for professors and other teaching personnel.Tuition fees fund improvements in the quality of instruction and course materials, too. These include multimedia resources, digital textbooks, and specialized software, among others. 
• Salaries for administrative personnel and other administrative costs. Online colleges spend on utilities and office supplies, too.

Technology fees

These are for the maintenance and upgrades of the digital infrastructure and resources. Online colleges charge technology fees for robust operations of their:

• Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard. Online students use their LMS to access course materials and attend classes.
• Digital tools and resources, including multimedia content and virtual laboratories
• Technical support services ensure access to the digital infrastructure and resources among students
• Software licenses for use by teachers and students, such as programming languages
• Security software and measures are a must, considering the personal and academic information

Resource fees

These cover the costs associated with student access to learning resources and materials. Online students access a wide range of resources, including: 

• Digital textbooks and other online learning materials. Unlike traditional textbooks, these have special features that enhance the learning experience
• Library access, usually both on-campus and online libraries. Online students have access to an extensive array of digital books. Databases and academic journals are also available.
• Course-specific software, such as design tools for graphic design students
• Supplementary learning materials, such as study guides and practice exercises
• Laboratory kit and equipment for hands-on and virtual learning experiences

Student services fees

These fees are essential for the student’s academic and career success. Student support services cover the following: 

• Academic advising services enable students to make informed decisions about their academic journeys. 
• Tutoring and other learning support services contribute to academic success. 
• Counseling services include mental health services. These contribute to a student’s mental well-being. Stress management, crisis intervention, and wellness services are common. 
• Career development services prepare students for career success. Resume writing services, job search strategies, and mock interviews are common. Students can also attend career fairs and workshops. 
• Student organizations and social activities are available for online students, too. 

But these aren’t the only online college fees out there. Be aware of these fees, too, and budget for them, when needed. 

Course fees

These are added charges for specific classes, such as voice lessons. Note that not every course has a corresponding course fee. Boston College charges course fees for courses in STEM and arts programs.

The fees range from $55 to $765, a significant chunk, indeed.

First-year and transfer student fees

These fees pay for transition services for freshmen and transfer students. Freshman and transfer seminars, workshops, or classes are common. The fee may or may not include an orientation fee. 

There’s a wide difference in these fees, too. William & Mary charges $522 as a one-time fee for all new students. The University of Arizona has a more affordable $10 fee for first-year students.

International student fees

These fees are specifically for international students and cover orientation and other expenses. New York University charges $90 every semester. Pratt Institute charges between $75 and $100 depending on enrollment type.

Graduation fees

Online colleges aren’t exempt from the admission-to-graduation college fee structures. Graduation fees cover the costs of commencement, including the ceremony itself. These also cover the costs of the caps, gowns, and diplomas. Students who apply for graduation at the College of Charleston in South Carolina pay $25. 

Let’s not forget the late registration and late application for graduation fees, too. Suffice it to say, being tardy doesn’t pay even in an online college. 

With so many online college fees, you must do your homework. If possible, you should ask for an itemized list of these fees. The more you’re aware, the less these fees become hidden. There’s less likelihood of unpleasant surprises on your student account.

How to Minimize Online College Costs

Indeed, college fees are a significant part of online education expenses. Unfortunately, college fee structures will aways exist to some extent. But there’s good news – you can minimize college costs through these effective steps. 

Choose cost-effective programs.

Start by choosing an affordable online college. Make a side-by-side comparison of their tuition and fees. But consider your interests and goals, too. Getting a college education isn’t only about the cost. 

Consider the online colleges’ transfer credit policies. Transfer credits decrease the cost of college education. Common examples include CLEP, DANTES, and AP tests. Take your work experience and military training for credit, too. 

Look for accelerated programs. Consider local programs where you can take advantage of in-state tuition. Look into online colleges that offer in-state tuition to all online students, too. The University of Florida Online and Western Governors University are great examples.

Create a budget.

Budgeting for college should start as early as possible, preferably in high school. But you can also start now. When creating a college budget, remember these tips: 

• Use either a traditional pen-and-paper budget or digital tools or both. Use tools that allow for tracking your income and expenses. 
• List all your sources of income and expected expenses. Even seemingly small expenses add up in the long run. 
• Make a daily list of your expenses. You will be surprised at the possible ways of cutting down your costs. Making homemade meals is a great idea. 
• Take advantage of student discounts on everything. Use coupons, too. Be careful about buying things on sale.  
• Consider part-time work. Tutoring younger students is an excellent way of earning while gaining soft skills.

Apply for financial aid.

File your completed, accurate, and updated FAFSA regardless of your current finances. The FAFSA is the main document for access to federal and state student aid.

Look for other types of financial aid, too. Grants, scholarships, and work-study programs are excellent sources. Student loans should be a last resort.

Look for scholarships.

Online colleges offer scholarships, too. Search scholarship databases and search engines. Check with professional organizations and community foundations.

Use free or low-cost resources.

This is an excellent way of reducing online college costs for obvious reasons. Consider the following: 

• Open Educational Resources
• College and public libraries 
• Public online resources like Google Scholar 
• Textbook exchanges 

Be creative in saving on college fees and other costs. Don’t worry if you don’t get the hang of it the first time. You will soon enough with practice.

Conclusion on College Fee Structures

In conclusion, always check college fee structures every time you register for classes. Making an informed decision depends on it. Be sure to do your research about cost-cutting measures in college, too. We have plenty of these resources to offer. But, of course, their effectiveness is in your hands.