Compare total time, cost, and support
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The idea in everyday life
Estimate everything needed to finish the program: tuition, tools, travel, time away from work, entry requirements, and support.
A program is affordable and feasible only when the full completion scenario works, including a delay.
One step at a time.
Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.
- 1
List direct and indirect costs, schedule, travel, equipment, tests, childcare, accessibility, and likely prerequisite time.
- 2
Model a normal completion and a delay or repeated-course scenario with assumptions labeled.
- 3
Compare tutoring, advising, transportation, technology, refund, and emergency support before choosing.
See how it works.
Cam chooses the program with a higher tuition but lower total cost after equipment and commute are included, while keeping a lower-cost backup.
Did you cover these?
- Your work includes a time-and-cost comparison for three programs with base, delay, and support scenarios.
- Check this common mistake: Comparing tuition only or assuming a grant, job, or schedule will continue without verification.
- The chosen route fits a written time, cash, access, and support limit with uncertainty made visible.
What to finish
A time-and-cost comparison for three programs with base, delay, and support scenarios.
Watch for this
Comparing tuition only or assuming a grant, job, or schedule will continue without verification.
How can I tell I understand it?
The chosen route fits a written time, cash, access, and support limit with uncertainty made visible.
Quick knowledge check
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Types of Colleges
From Minnesota Goes to College. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
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