Advantages And Differences: Traditional Education Vs. Online Education

Traditional Education vs. Online Education

In today’s job market, one is looking for the competitive advantage of a college education due to America’s tumultuous economy. In July 2015, there were an estimated 8.3 million people unemployed in the United States, which translates to 5.5 percent of the population, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Analyses conducted by the United States Census Bureau found that, on average, students with a bachelor’s degree are less likely to be unemployed compared to those with only a high school diploma (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, 2012). A college education has been known to provide a substantial difference in overall net worth compared

This paper will discuss the similarities and differences of education through an online medium compared to the traditional classroom setting in an effort to discover the advantages and disadvantages of the two

According to the College Board, “the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2014–2015 school year was $31,231 at private colleges, $9,139 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,958 for out-of-state residents attending public universities” (What 's the Price Tag for a College Education?). This data translates to a four year degree cost as high as 124,924 dollars (private colleges) to 36,556 dollars (in state residents at a public university). However, according to the American Sociological Association, on average, students pay less for online education tuition compared to the traditional setting (Driscoll, Jicha, Hunt, Tichavsky, & Thompson). In addition, online students are not subjugated to the commuting required to and from class on campus, thus, allowing them to save their money for other purchases and expenses throughout one’s education. Furthermore, online students are not required to pay for room and board as well as meal plans within their education medium. The College Board reports, “…the average cost of room and board in 2014–2015 ranged from $9,804 at four-year public schools to $11,188 at private schools” (What 's the Price Tag for a College Education?). For a bachelor’s degree, the total cost could reach from as low as 39,216 dollars (public university) or as high as 44,752 dollars (private