Cappex College Insider » paying college tuition http://www.cappex.com/blog News about Scholarships and College Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:14:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 10 Least Expensive Public Colleges for In-State Students http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-resources/10-least-expensive-public-colleges-for-in-state-students/ http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-resources/10-least-expensive-public-colleges-for-in-state-students/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:35:16 +0000 editor http://cappex.com/blog/?p=2708 scholarshipsIllustrationIconWe’ve given you the list of the most expensive and least expensive private colleges and universities.  But, a lot of you are planning on going to your state schools.

So, since you’ve been requesting it, and US News has the stats, here it is: the ten least expensive public colleges for in-state students.

1. New Mexico Highlands University
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $2,952
Cool fact: The university’s first president was famous archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett, known largely for bringing about the Antiquities Act, a piece of legislation important for the conservation movement.

2. Macon State College (GA)
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $3,082
Cool fact: The school recently approved name and design for a new mascot, The Blue Storm, in January 2011.

3. Fayetteville State University (NC)
Tuition and fees 2010-2011: $3,637
Cool fact: Alumni Darrell Armstrong is the assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks, winners the 2011 NBA Championship!

4. California State University – Northridge
Tuition and fees: $3,702
Cool fact: Northridge is home to the National Center on Deafness and hosts the annual International Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities.

5. Elizabeth City State University (NC)
Tuition and fees: $3,707
Cool fact:Founded in 1891 as a two-year school, it became a 4-year teachers college in 1937.

6. University of Wyoming
Tuition and fees: $3,726
Cool fact: A ring of university buildings surround Prexy’s Pasture, a large grassy area whose name is attributed to the unique rule that the university president, or “prexy”, is given exclusive use of the area for livestock grazing. So don’t mess with the President’s cows.

7. University of North Carolina – Pembroke
Tuition and fees: $3,890
Cool fact: The university was originally established in 1887 as an historically American Indian liberal arts school.

8. North Carolina A&T State University
 Tuition and fees: $3,899
Cool fact: NASA is one of A&T’s School of Engineering major partners. How much more legit can you get?

9. Eastern New Mexico University
Tuition and fees: $3,900
Cool fact: The university’s original construction was hindered for five years by the 1929 stock market crash and proceeding Great Depression.

10. Fort Hays State University (KS)
Tuition and fees: $3,942
Cool fact:Fort Hays annually celebrates Oktoberfest to acknowledge the Volga German heritage of Ellis County, Kansas.

Do these tuition and fees surprise you? Leave a comment!

]]> http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-resources/10-least-expensive-public-colleges-for-in-state-students/feed/ 0 3 Ways to Get your Degree and Avoid Crazy College Debt http://www.cappex.com/blog/before-leaving-for-college/3-ways-to-get-your-degree-and-avoid-crazy-college-debt/ http://www.cappex.com/blog/before-leaving-for-college/3-ways-to-get-your-degree-and-avoid-crazy-college-debt/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:47:47 +0000 editor http://cappex.com/blog/?p=2037 diplomabiggerA recent article from WalletPop says that college debt is worse than ever right now. As college tuition drastically increases and graduates overestimate their annual incomes post-college, recent grads are left with heaps of student loan debt that they can’t just discharge in bankruptcy.

So, what are ways to avoid getting caught in this messy web of debt? For one, you can try to avoid it in the first place with these measures:

1. Scholarships Scholarships Scholarships

One of the easiest and best ways to avoid student loan debt is to find scholarships. Apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for because you have nothing to lose.  Scholarship money is good money because you don’t have to pay it back–no interest, no nothing!  If you make a Cappex profile, you will be matched to all the scholarships in the database you are eligible for–start there!

2. Choose a Practical Major

If you are losing sleep at night about paying off your student loans, then maybe it’s time for a major change.  Yes, that was a pun. We are strong believers that you should follow your passions in life, but if the idea of paying off your student loans is causing premature wrinkles on your forehead, you might consider a college degree that is more likely to land you a job. We did a post on college degrees to land a job earlier, and some of those degrees included:

Registered nursing

Accounting

Computer software engineering

and plenty more here.

3. 1-2 Years Community College

The 1-2 year community college trend is becoming increasingly popular as college tuition is on the rise. Community college might not be your dream school, but spending a few semesters taking care of prerequisites at a community college can save you tons of money on tuition. Just make sure to double check that there’s an articulation agreement with the 4-year university you plan on eventually attending.

One example is the articulation agreement that the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has with Oakton Community College. Students who take their first two years of college at Oakton and earn Associate of Arts and Science degrees are guaranteed admission to IIT. Students who want to take advantage of this program need to apply for it before they start their freshman year and meet minimum academic standards. The program saves students $40,000 over two years.

You can read more about how a year or more of community college can help you save on college here (go to page 19).

Do you have any tips on avoiding college debt? Comment and let us know!

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