Cost is a significant barrier to a college education. In the United States, the average cost of a bachelor’s degree is $38,270 per year. For a master’s degree, it’s $59,684 for a two-year program. The average total student loan debt is $40,681 per student.
This is an even more significant barrier for working adults seeking a college education. Mortgages, bills, and food expenses compete with education expenses. Add in education expenses for their children, and working adults can drop out of college.
Indeed, affordable tuition fees are of crucial importance for working adults. Higher education, including professional development, becomes more accessible. The more affordable the tuition, the higher the chances for completion, too.
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This is, indeed, a shame. Think about the benefits of earning a college degree for working adults:
- Increased job marketability
- Improved access to career advancement opportunities
- Boost in knowledge and skills, particularly in competitive industries (e.g., IT)
- Increase in earning potential
- Higher job productivity and satisfaction
- Expanded connections and network
- Enhanced job security
- Better career transition or change with industry-specific knowledge and skills
- Opportunities for personal growth
Fortunately, many colleges and universities offer affordable tuition fees. Many of these post-secondary institutions cater to the working adults’ unique challenges, education-wise. We want to highlight, too, that cost-effective education also means quality education.
Why Affordable Education Matters
Working adults face unique challenges that traditional college students likely won’t understand. We’re not saying that college students don’t have their share of challenges. But, working adults juggle more personal and professional obligations. The result is that it’s more challenging to pursue and complete higher education.
While individual experiences differ, working adults in college face these challenges.
Limited income
Many working adults are in low- to moderate-income jobs. Earning a college degree or professional certification leads to higher-earning positions. But cost being a barrier, it can seem impossible.
High cost of living
Working adults juggle mortgage/rent, utilities, and food expenses for their families. With inflation and a fixed income, it’s a challenge to add another expense. Between the family’s basic necessities and college education, basic necessities come first.
Even when there’s extra for higher education, it may be insufficient. A college education, after all, isn’t only about tuition and fees. Students must also spend money on books and supplies, technology requirements, and incidental expenses.
Childcare issues
Adult learners with young children experience childcare issues, too. The rising cost of childcare services is of particular concern in a fixed-income household. There’s also the matter of scheduling conflicts between classes and children’s needs.
Conflicts with work responsibilities
Working adults pursuing a college education often can’t study full-time. Otherwise, the stress of meeting work and family obligations while studying full-time will be too much.
There will be days, too, when scheduling conflicts between work and studies happen. Adult learners can either cut back on work or drop courses. Either way, there’s a loss. Cutting back on work means less income. Dropping out means a lost opportunity and loss of the tuition paid.
These are only the financial challenges for working adults returning to school. The self-doubts about re-entering an academic environment are a challenge, too. Being around younger classmates and adjusting to a new environment can result in imposter syndrome.
These unique challenges make affordable education a must for working adults. Affordable education enables working adults to:
- Enjoy increased access to higher education opportunities
- Take advantage of flexible scheduling options, particularly those offered by online colleges
- Maintain a good work-life balance while pursuing their studies
- Avoid getting into overwhelming student loan debt
Of course, it isn’t just working adults that enjoy the benefits of affordable education. But they’re most likely the ones who will benefit the most from it.
Top 10 Colleges Offering Affordable Tuition Fees
We selected these institutions as the ten best colleges for working adults for accessible education for the following reasons:
- With current regional accreditation
- Offers affordable tuition and fees and an assortment of financial aid options
- Delivers excellent academic quality and industry recognition
- Provides a wide range of academic degree and certificate programs
- Ensures academic success through excellent student support services
Western Governors University
WGU makes college education more accessible to non-traditional students. Accessibility means affordable tuition and flexible schedules. WGU takes pride in its competency-based education, too.
The average annual tuition ranges from $8,010 to $8,444 for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. WGU offers federal aid, scholarships, and military benefits. Indeed, it’s among the best low-cost colleges that guarantee quality education.
University of Maryland Global Campus
Being a public university means UMGC guarantees affordable tuition and fees. Since 1947, it has offered accessible education to working professionals. UMGC is a military-friendly school, too, with GI Bill benefits and tuition discounts.
Students spend zero dollars on most of their courses. UMGC awards over $15 million in scholarships every year, too. There’s also an interest-free monthly payment plan.
Southern New Hampshire University
SNHU may be a private university, but it’s among the best budget-friendly colleges. Undergraduate students pay only $330 per credit. There are no application fees and hidden charges, too. Transfer credits are accepted. Federal financial aid, military discounts, and scholarships are available.
University of Wisconsin System eCampus
The public UW System offers affordable college options for working adults through its eCampus. Students choose from 150+ online degree and certificate programs. The eCampus uses Flexible Option, a competency-based learning model, too.
University of New Hampshire
UNH offers working adults further education through its College of Professional Studies. Students choose from an extensive array of degree and certificate programs. Credits for prior learning and work competencies are welcome for transfer. Tuition waivers and discounts are available.
Oregon State University Ecampus
OSU Ecampus offers excellent part-time education for adults through its 100+ degree and certificate programs. Students choose from diverse disciplines, from business to STEM. Admission-to-graduation services are available. Federal and state aid, childcare grants, and institutional scholarships are available.
University of Florida
Gators assert that, indeed, UF offers quality college education without breaking the bank. The public university offers among the nation’s most affordable tuition and fees. In-state students pay only $6,380 per year in tuition and fees. Financial aid opportunities further reduce the cost of attendance.
University of Massachusetts Global
UMass Global offers 90+ programs for working adults through its 25 campuses and a virtual campus. Scholarship opportunities, federal aid, and military discounts are available. UMass uses Instructional Design for Engaged Adult Learning and MyPath. These are competency-based learning models that allow self-paced learning.
Fort Hays State University
FHSU offers affordable academic programs through its physical and virtual campuses. Working adults choose from 200+ online programs in diverse disciplines. Navigating the academic environment becomes easier with student support services.
Students praise the ultra-affordable tuition – about $257 per credit hour. Further reductions are possible through scholarships for in-state and out-of-state students.
Eastern Kentucky University
EKU has among the lowest in-state tuition in the country at $418 per credit hour. Financial aid is available, too. Working adults appreciate the free application and free textbooks.
When choosing from these institutions, look beyond their affordable tuition and fees, too. You must consider other important factors, too. These include your interests, career goals, and other personal circumstances. After all, a college education should be a holistic experience.
Tips for Managing Tuition Payments
Even with affordable tuition and financial aid, it can still be challenging to keep up with tuition payments. Here, then, are useful tuition-paying tips for working adults in college.
Plan for success.
Don’t wait until the last minute to make plans for tuition payments. Start as early as possible, particularly in exploring financial aid options.
Consider a community college first.
Community colleges are public institutions offering affordable tuition and fees. Financial aid is also available for students. Working adults can pursue associate degrees with less student loan debt. Indeed, these institutions are the most cost-effective means of getting a college education.
Plus, credits earned from community colleges are acceptable for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs. Be sure, however, to enroll in a community college with articulation agreements with four-year universities. The more transfer credits approved, the more cost-effective your bachelor’s degree will be.
Choose a more affordable four-year university.
This is an obvious step but it’s often overlooked due to quality of education concerns. But, as we have shown, affordable yet quality education is possible.
Look into self-paced, accelerated or competency-based programs.
These programs save on tuition and time, too. You can determine how fast or slow you can progress through a self-paced program. In an accelerated program, you can save money on tuition by earning a degree in less time. With a competency-based program, prior learning counts.
Transfer as many credits as possible.
An associate degree isn’t the only source of transfer credits. Consider prior learning assessments, such as AP, DSST, and CLEP. Submit a work portfolio for credit assessment. Get credits for military training and service.
Communicate with the financial aid officer in your college.
Get reliable information about your financial aid options. You should receive guidance to navigate the financial aid process, too. In case you can’t pay your tuition on time, you can also request information. Deferred payments, installment plans, and income-sharing agreements may be available.
Create and follow a college budget.
Even before you set foot in your classroom, you should already have a college budget in place.
Maximize your scholarship and grant opportunities.
Don’t be afraid to apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible. Even online students have many scholarship opportunities available. Working adults also have scholarships only for them, such as:
- Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation Scholarship
- Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship
- Imagine America Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP)
Of course, always file your FAFSA on time. It’s the mother document for most financial aid programs.
Find additional funding sources.
Tax breaks, employer tuition assistance, and private loans are also good ideas.
Conclusion
Working adults have plenty of opportunities to pursue higher and continuing education, thanks to affordable colleges. These institutions offer the best college education value – affordable yet quality education. The key is in doing your research, choosing your best option, and following through with decisive actions.
Additional Resources
Check out these resources and financial aid offices for more information.
- Federal Student Aid – Adult Students
- US News Money How to Pay for College Without Loans
- Eastern Kentucky University (BigECentral@eku.edu or (859) 622-2361)
- Western Governors University (financialservices@wgu.edu or 1-877-435-7948)
- University of Maryland Global Campus (finaid@umgc.edu or 800-888-8682)