How Much Does an Online Degree in Health Science Cost?

Getting an online degree in health science can help you learn more about the medical field and land a job in the field when you graduate. These programs often include classes on professional ethics, medical and health care laws and epidemiology, which looks at diseases and how those diseases spread. Your degree can help you find work as a community health specialist, health care manager and other positions. Before enrolling in a health science degree program though, you should look at how much that program will cost.

Cost Per Credit Hour

Online colleges often charge a set rate based on the number of credit hours that you take in a single semester. According to U.S. News & World Report, this can range from around $930 to more than $1,300 per credit hour. Community colleges charge lower rates in the $500 range. If you take 12 credit hours, which most colleges consider full time, your tuition might cost more than $12,000 a semester. Some online colleges also charge a nonresident rate for students living outside of the same state as the school, which can significantly add to your total costs.

Miscellaneous Fees

Tuition isn’t the only thing you need to think about when going for an online degree in health science. You also need to look at the miscellaneous fees charged by that college. Most schools have a technology fee that all students pay, but online students might face higher tech fees because they use more online resources. You’ll also pay fees for some of the software you need in your classes and a registration fee that the college charges each time you register for classes. Keep in mind that you must also have a secure internet connection to take those classes, which you’re responsible for paying out of your own pocket.

Application Fee

While some online colleges let you apply for free, most reputable colleges charge an application fee of $25 to $50 or even more. You can pay this with a debt or credit card when submitting an application online. Some schools will also let you pay with a check or money order that you send through the mail. If you cannot afford the application fee, ask about a fee waiver. You may need to fill out a form or show proof that you need help paying the fee.

Degrees Available

The total cost of getting a health science degree online often depends on the type of degree that you want. An associate’s degree is much more affordable. You can complete an associate’s degree online from a community college for a few thousand dollars. Getting a bachelor’s degree is more expensive because it requires that you complete four years of full-time study. Depending on what you want to do with your degree, you may need to get your master’s degree, which can take an additional two to three years and cost as much as $10,000 or more each year.

Many students take classes from online colleges because it can help them save money on all their educational costs. While you can get an online degree in health science, you need to look at how much the whole program will cost once you factor in tuition, the application fee and all miscellaneous fees charged by the school.

Related Resources:
Top 20 Most Affordable Health Science Degree Programs
Top 10 Best Online Health Science Degree Programs