Distance Learning Fees: Overview of Common Tuition and Fee Structures

Tuition and fees for online classes are often charged on the same structure as tuition and fees for traditional classes. However, differences may exist between in-state and out-of-state tuition, price limits at full-time student status and student fees for online classes.

Basic Tuition and Fee Structures for On-Campus Students

Colleges typically charge a given amount of tuition per credit hour for on-campus classes that a student is enrolled in. Charges per credit continue to accrue until a student reaches what the college considers full-time status, usually 12 credit hours. At this point, additional credits do not accrue more charges until a student reaches an overtime status, at which point some colleges may add additional per-credit or tuition charges.
Public or state schools throw an additional variable into the equation with two different tuition rates depending on whether a student is a resident of the college's home state or not. Tuition for in-state students is usually much less than tuition for out-of-state students.
Atop these tuition charges, most colleges add student fees, which provide for computer technology and machinery costs, student athletic teams, activities, student life services and other similar costs.

Differences Between Online and Traditional Tuition and Fee Structures

There may be several differences in how colleges handle tuition and fees for distance learning classes. The two key questions are whether distance learning and on-site tuition are considered the same or different, and what the college's policy is regarding out-of-state tuition for online classes. There may also be other minor differences in the way that student fees are charged to students in distance learning classes.
Some colleges treat distance learning classes just as other classes, charging an in-state or out-of-state rate per credit with a price cap that kicks in once an individual takes enough credits to be considered a full-time student.
On the other hand, colleges may not recognize a full-time status for distance learning classes, which means the costs per credit are the same for a student taking one course or six. The upside to this situation for distance learners is that they can take less than a full-time course load without incurring all the extra costs that would come with additional years on-campus.
Some public schools charge all online students the in-state rate or the out-of-state rate regardless of their state of residence, so potential distance learners should research schools thoroughly. In many colleges, the main difference in cost between distance learning and traditional classes is the fees charged apart from tuition. Distance learners may pay a technology fee, but they will save a great deal on room and board, which averaged $8,595 at private schools and $7,404 at public schools in 2007-2008, according to College Board (www.collegeboard.com).