Pricing and Costs of Military Colleges and Universities
Discover pricing and costs of military colleges and universities for a cost-effective education
When checking pricing and costs of military colleges and universities, keep in mind the two types of military school programs: one that prepares you for a military career and teaches only military-related subjects; and one that prepares you for any career with a standard college education, but in a more disciplined and structured environment. Both help students develop strong leadership skills and both have different pricing structures for attendance.Another factor that affects costs of military colleges and universities is the type of institution. The U.S. military usually funds Navy or Army colleges, so up-front costs may be small or even non-existent. Many military schools require attendees to pay for tuition. To lower initial costs, consider student loans or possibly an online military college or a military junior college. Continue your military education when you have enough money for the larger military institutes. When calculating costs of military colleges and universities, you should look into:
1. Military online schools that might be more cost-effective
2. Military junior college for an associate’s degree before pursuing your bachelor’s
3. Military universities that accept student loans
Find accelerated programs for military education at many online outlets
Using an online military degree program offers added convenience to service members because they can take their classes anywhere they have a computer with Internet access. Thus, anytime you're transferred to another base, you take your classes with you -- something traditional schools can't offer. Plus, you can often use your G.I. Bill to pay for these programs.
Try: The University of Phoenix offers an online military education with a variety of degree programs. Tuition runs between $250 and $576 for active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel and their spouses and between $325 and $692 per credit hour for veterans. Columbia College Hunter Army Airfield offers online classes for military personnel with credit hours running about $210 for undergraduate courses. There are also extra fees; check with the school before enrolling for the exact costs.
Check out costs of a military junior college to save money while earning an associate's
A two-year military junior college may be more cost-effective in obtaining your associate's degree; then you can move on to a four-year military university. Although there are a limited number of military junior colleges, one of these might fit your military education needs.
Try: Georgia Military College is a co-ed liberal arts junior college that has a cost calculator to get an estimated cost per quarter for commuter students. Marion Military Institute offers military training programs with yearly tuition and fees running a little over $6,700 for Alabama residents and a little over $12,700 for non-residents. Cadets also need to purchase uniforms their first year and other fees may be applicable.
Find military universities that accept student loans or other forms of tuition payment
Certain military schools, such as West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, don't cost students anything because they're fully covered by the U.S. military; however, these schools are very competitive. If you don't qualify for one of them, be sure the military college you attend accepts student loans or other forms of payments. They should all accept the G.I. Bill, but if you need further financial assistance, you should know your options.
Try: The Citadel allows students to use the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) to pay for schooling and the school also offers numerous alternative options for student loans. Its tuition and fees run around $8,500 for South Carolina residents and $21,000 for non-residents annually. Valley Forge Military Academy & College costs almost $34,000 per year with other fees possibly required, depending on your coursework. They accept federal, private and alternative loans.
- Tuition and fees for most military colleges and universities generally don't cover books or certain other fees, such as lab fees and the price of any uniforms required.
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