subject: How Much Does A Computer School Cost [print this page] If you have been wondering how much does a computer school cost, you are not alone. This is an important question for any prospective student to ask before getting any level of IT training, whether it is a certificate or a bachelors degree. There are even graduate level degrees that are strongly rooted in computer technology. So before you can ask how much a school costs, you must determine what level of training is appropriate for the career goals you have in mind and what specific educational institutions you are considering.
The cost of computer school will vary widely based on the type of degree you are working towards, i.e., how long youll be in school, but it will also vary depending on what type of school you go to and where you go to school. If you are working towards an associates degree at a community college it may only cost $50 a unit plus the cost of books and supplies, while a private vocational school may charge as much as $18,000 per year. Four-year public universities fall somewhere in the middle of that price range, although the costs will increase dramatically if you attend a public university in another state. Out-of-state tuition can be as much as three times more costly than in-state tuition, but after living in that state for one year, you can file the paperwork to declare residency and then get the lower tuition cost.
Some programs are very quick, such as certification programs that may just take a few months. An associates degree will typically take about two years to finish, while a bachelors degree should take about four years, although students who go to school part time so they can work and/or take care of children will take longer to finish their degrees. A masters degree typically takes another two to three years on top of the bachelors degree. Community colleges, while they are the cheapest route to a computer education, do not grant more than an associates degree, so they are somewhat limited.
All these factors play a role as you determine how much any particular computer school costs.
