A degree that fits
your future.
And your budget.

The cheapest sticker price is not always the most affordable degree. What you pay depends on how many credits you still need, which rate applies to you, what fees the school adds, and whether the degree gets you the job you are aiming for. Start with the degree subjects above, then use the steps below to narrow your list.

Rankings versus return on investment

A ranking tells you how a school compares on someone else’s measures. It does not tell you what the degree will cost you or what it will lead to. A better question is what you pay compared with what the program prepares you to do.

Compare programs on the same terms:

• Whole-degree credits. Count the credits the full degree requires, not just the credits of one course or certificate.
• The rate that applies to you. Schools publish different rates for in-state, in-district and out-of-state students, and some for online students. Confirm which one you qualify for.
• Required fees. Technology, course and graduation fees can add to the published rate. Ask for the full list.
• Transfer credit. Credits a school accepts reduce what you still need. Only the school can say which of yours count.
• Outcomes for your goal. Check whether the job you want asks for a particular degree, an accredited program or a license, and whether the program meets it.

Our methodology explains how we put these pieces together. If you are choosing a degree by the work it leads to, the guide to degrees for high-paying jobs is a place to start.

Practical planning and next steps

Set a budget before you visit any website or campus. Decide how much you can pay from savings and income each term, and how much debt you are willing to take on. A number in hand makes every offer easier to judge.

Then work through these steps:

1. File the FAFSA. The FAFSA guide walks through it. According to Federal Student Aid, there is no fee to fill out a FAFSA form. Be careful with any site that asks you to pay for help. Federal Student Aid says you never have to pay for help with your federal student aid.
2. Look for scholarships. The scholarship guide explains where to search. Scholarships are gifts, and they do not need to be repaid. Loans do.
3. Compare the aid offers you receive. Put each school’s offer side by side and compare the amount of debt each would leave you with, not just the grants.
4. Ask for a written transfer evaluation. If you have earlier college credits, get the school’s answer in writing before you enroll.
5. Ask for an itemized list of fees. Find out which ones are charged per credit, per term or once.
6. Check your state. Residency rules and state aid differ widely. The state guides show what to look for where you live.

No guide can promise admission, aid or a particular price. Prices and rules change, so check the academic year next to each price and confirm the details with the school before you apply.