$30,000 for a 2 year associates degree. Too much or average? (bachelor's, Ivy League, costs)

[DaniMae1]

Okay so this is my second thead but the subject is a little different. I have one group of people telling me that this is outrageous and another telling me that it is about what they paid.....

Any takers?

Can anyone tell me what they paid for two year schools?

[Braunwyn]

30k for an AA is way too much, imo. You shouldn't be spending more than 2-3k a year in CC, right?

[Mt-7]

Are you getting grants or are you taking out loans?

[Lily2204]

Wow! Anyone who paid that much got scammed by one of those for-profits! Have you checked out your local community college? Paying that much for an Associate's is highway robbery, especially since there isn't much you can do with one in this economy. Don't go to a school that charges that much, it's basically like buying a degree - they let anyone in regardless of qualifications. It reflects very poorly on the saps who get taken advantage of by those places and then still can't get a job.

[DaniMae1]

Wow. I appreciate the input. Thanks. I will def check into the community colleges.

[Huckleberry3911948]

degrees do not generate predictable income. this is something college people are learning right about now. trade schools generate predictable income. (and are a whole lot cheaper) trade schools, plumber, electrician, nurse
not massage therapy.

[kodaka]

Honestly, whether the tuition is $15k or 10k or even 5k, I would question the value of an associate's degree at all. There are so few fields where an associates has any market value, that you may be better off with just HS Diploma. If you need education for an occupation, you usually need to go all the way to a Bachelor's degree, or you may as well not bother. Sorry to be harsh, I'm just trying to be honest.

Don't rely on academic advisors or recruiters to tell you what your career and earning prospects are. This is true for a community college, this school you're considering, or a four-year ivy league. Do your own research. Look at the BLS' occupational outlook handbook. Talk to professionals in the field. Research what licensures or certifications are required to advance in the field and be sure that the school you are considering has the necessary accreditations and curriculum to meet the requirements.

I don't agree with the above comment that degrees don't predict earnings. That may be true for liberal arts degrees, but for professional degrees (law, accounting, engineering, education, etc), the degree is a very good predictor of earning potential.

[DaniMae1]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

degrees do not generate predictable income. this is something college people are learning right about now. trade schools generate predictable income. (and are a whole lot cheaper) trade schools, plumber, electrician, nurse
not massage therapy.

I agree is some ways. My husband was a plumber for 15 years with a Master's license in VA. BUT with the construction industry so poor right now he can find nothing. This has been going on for 2 years. We were looking more into specialized areas dealing with the medical side of things.

[golfgal]

$15,000/year is on the high side of average for a state university-TOTAL costs, room/board/tuition/books, etc. To spend that much on a 2 year degree is ridicules.

[kaygirl05]

Originally Posted by golfgal

$15,000/year is on the high side of average for a state university-TOTAL costs, room/board/tuition/books, etc. To spend that much on a 2 year degree is ridicules.

I wish I was seeing the "high" average you are talking about. Most of the universities in the U.S. I've looked at are $25,000 a year. Of course that's if you are out-of-state though. Sucks In-state can usually be a-lot cheaper than $15,000 a year though, but I don't like the colleges in my state.