How to afford college is the number one factor for most would-be applicants in deciding whether to even attend college. Earlier this year a survey was released that found students were more likely to apply to a particular college if they knew they could get enough financial aid to cover the cost. In other words, if they felt they could afford it, they would go.

Forty years ago, students could help pay their way through college with part-time jobs and graduate without a great deal of debt. Through the years, a college degree became more essential to getting a job, more students attended college, and college tuition sky-rocketed. Working part-time to pay for education was out of the question. Borrowing became the norm, and with it the burden of high debt after graduation that would have to be paid off – if you could find a job in the competitive marketplace.

The high cost of a traditional college education has continued to rise. If you start in 2016 at a public four-year college and graduate on time, the average total cost for your education is projected to be an astronomical $133,238. Today, however, a growing number of students are turning to alternative methods that make a college education more affordable – and flexible. Let’s look at how students can afford to work their way through school again.

The Definition of the Typical Student is Changing

In 2011, almost one-third of undergraduates were 25 years old or older. Fewer students are going straight out of high school right into college. Many are waiting to go to school until after marriage, having children, working, or serving in the armed forces. They are juggling families, work, and the desire to go to college. Traditional methods of education don’t fit the needs of these non-traditional students. They are turning to the flexibility of online programs or using credit-by-exam to fit education into their busy schedules.

Online Education

More than one-third of students in college are taking at least one online course – and the numbers are increasing. Online enrollment is growing ten times faster than the rate in traditional higher education. Online methods can allow you take classes when you want, rather than on the semester timeline of traditional methods. Online doesn’t necessary mean that it will take you less time to get your degree. However, the flexibility online classes provide does make it possible for students to work during the day and take classes at night, or attend to family matters and work the classes in when there is spare time.

Online courses may not save money over traditional methods – unless you are taking an entire online degree program. But the ability to fit classes into your schedule and still be able to work makes it easier to pay for your education without going deeply into debt.

Credit-by-Exam

One way students can have flexibility and save money is to test out of courses in which they have experience or knowledge. A Georgetown University report estimated that some college education will be required for 65% of all U.S. jobs by 2020. Yet the U.S. will be 5 million workers short of filling that need. Credit-by-exam will allow students to obtain degrees quicker than traditional methods, making it more likely that the demand can be met.

Achieve Test Prep prepares you to succeed with a credit-by-exam approach. Instead of a semester of work, you take a few weeks of our prep classes and pass one exam to receive the same credit the traditional semester awards. You have the flexibility to take the prep classes onsite at one of our campuses across the country, or take live online virtual classes taught by the same live qualified instructors, but with the convenience of being at home. You can work classes around your schedule, and, if you have difficulties with passing an exam, we provide personalized remedial solutions – something that makes Achieve unique.

For more information, download our guide, Testing Out of College. To talk to someone about how to get your degree faster and with less cost than traditional methods provide, contact Achieve today.

For more information on the program Contact Achieve Test Prep today!