I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Professional Communication from Metropolitan State University. This college is located in St. Paul, Minn. Most of the professors are Ph.D.’s actively working in the field they teach.
The college’s slogan is “Where Life and Learning Meet.” For those who are working adults and those with families this school is an accommodating place. Classes generally start after 6p.m.
Tuition cost for a 4 credit undergraduate course is $729.
During my ten years as a student, first at the Minneapolis Community College and then at Metropolitan State University, I accumulated over $66,000 in student loans. Great Lakes Education funded $56,000, this includes the accrued interest and $10,000, was funded by Nelnet, this total also reflects interest.
Monthly payments to Great Lakes Education total $582 and the payment to Nelnet is $78.
For the past several years I have made payments toward the interest on the Great Lakes loan. I intend to knock out the smaller loan which is Nelnet. It makes sense to me to pay down the smaller debt.
At this time I see no end in sight for the bigger loan. Currently I am under deferment because I am a graduate student. I have not been able to obtain a job in my field of study and decided that a higher education might help me land a high-paying job.
A job that at least pays $75,000 to $80,000 a year will aid me in my financial plans to pay off my student loan debt. It may seem crazy to some that I am going to graduate school and I still have my undergraduate debt.
The graduate program cost $1,200 for 4 credits. I need 11 classes to obtain my graduate in technical communications. Therefore the total amount for the duration is $13,200. Attending a State College helps save on the cost of tuition.
For profit colleges such as: Rasmussen, Argosy, Everest, etc. the tuition would be quadruple the cost. Besides there is the question of for profit colleges selling degrees that people don’t actually earn. I am glad I made the decision to take the college path of State vs. For Profit.
If I had to do it over again I would still attend college but I would pay out of pocket and not receive student loans. I am not sure that this is realistic. Receiving the student loans and taking the maximum dollar amount to supplement income was the cause of the high accumulation.
I don’t regret my educational accomplishments. No matter what happens in the future my education remains solid. There is nothing anyone can do to take it away from me. I am just hoping that someone will trust and believe in me enough to offer me a job.