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Most Affordable Online Healthcare Program at Western Governors U

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 02/15/11

The most affordable online bachelor's in healthcare is available from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, according to a survey of online programs. Tuition for the bachelor of science in nursing (pre-licensure) was $4,250 per term.

Western Governors is a private, non-profit institution that began accepting students in 1999. It was founded by a group of western state governors to address the use of distance learning by working adults to improve their career opportunities in an "affordable" way. The average age of students is about 36, and programs are offered in teaching, business, IT, and health.

The comparison of health programs in online institutions was done by GetEducated.com, a site that publishes online university statistics. The site reviewed 22 regionally accredited online universities with degrees in healthcare management, administration, medical records informatics, dietetics, sports health, and nutrition.

The average cost for this degree across all of the programs evaluated, including tuition and fees, is $45,600. The program at Western Governors added up to $23,500.

The most expensive program is the one offered by Berkeley College. This private, for-profit institution with 8,900 students and physical campuses in New York and New Jersey, charges about $87,000 for its bachelor of science in health services administration. It should be noted that this program requires 180 quarter credit hours for graduation; the Western Governor's program requires 120 hours, two-thirds as many.

GetEducated publishes online university information, including data on program costs, affordability, and credibility as ranked by reviewers. The Web site features a wizard that walks the user through selection of programs available for specific areas of interest and provides "best buy" listings for a number of online degree programs.