How To Downsize Your Education Costs

You can lower your educational costs by choosing time-effective career training programs.

The recession has forced people across the country to cut costs and downsize. People are economizing on everything from meals to clothes to vacations.In some cases, people are even learning to do without certain things they thought were essential. (Cable TV, anyone?)But there are some things, we can't give up. For many people, education is one of those things.The good news is that going to school doesn't have to break the bank.In fact, there are many programs that let you maximize the benefits of an education while minimizing what you'll spend on school.

The key is to find the most time-effective program that can help you reach your goals.

Here are some ways you can downsize your education costs:

Choose a career-focused program. You'll learn many valuable skills needed for the job, whether it's medical assisting, dental assisting, or accounting.
You can save big on tuition costs by choosing a shorter program. Associate's degree programs generally last two years or less. Certificate programs are even shorter!
If you already have some college credits, use them! It can lop months off the time it takes to earn your degree.
Online degree and career training can save time and can be scheduled around your job.
If you're currently working, your employer may cover some of your tuition costs.

Now that we've established that it is possible to downsize your education costs, let's take a look at some programs that can help you keep your education costs down.

#1 - Accounting Certificate

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks record and track organizations' financial matters such as payroll and cash flow. A certificate program can prepare you for this growing field.

Program Perks:

Classes are focused, so you won't waste time on general education requirements
Accounting certificate programs generally take only 6 to 12 months to complete!

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk Salary: $32,510*

#2 - Graphic Design Certificate

Graphic designers design layouts for everything from publications to packaging. It's a great career if you have an artistic eye. You can expect to see the most job growth for those with training in areas like web design.

Program Perks:

Most graphic design associate's degree programs can be completed in just two years
Classes may cover web design, which can make you an attractive job candidate

Graphic Designer Salary: $42,400

#3 - Medical Assisting Certificate

Medical assistants work in a wide variety of settings and perform all sorts of tasks to help doctors and nurses deliver the best care. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that this will be one of the fastest growing careers over the next few years.

Program Perks:

Many medical assisting certificate programs can be completed in one year
These certificate programs usually include valuable classroom and hands-on clinical training that you can take with you to the workforce

Medical Assistant Salary: $28,300

#4 - Master of Business Administration (MBA)

An MBA can take you from a cube to a corner office. It's no coincidence that this is the degree held by many CEOs.

Program Perks:

Many schools offer flexible MBA programs with night, weekend, or online classes
Some even offer accelerated programs that can be completed in as little as one year

Average MBA Starting Salary: $80,508**

#5 - Paralegal Associate's Degree

Paralegals work in law offices, courts, and other settings to assist attorneys. It's an exciting, great-paying - and growing! - career. According to the Department of Labor, there should be a 28 percent growth rate for paralegal and legal assistant job openings from 2008-2018.

Program Perks:

Most programs take only two years to complete
If you want to eventually earn a bachelor's degree, the credits you earn in a paralegal associate's degree program may be transferable

Average Paralegal Salary: $46,120

#6 - Office Administration Certificate

This certificate program can prepare you for a career as an administrative assistant, where you could do everything from planning meetings to organizing files and more.

Program Perks:

The computer and software training you get from this program can be valuable in a variety of work settings
Some office administration certificate programs only take a few months to complete

Average Administrative Assistant Salary: $29,050

#7 - IT & Information Systems Associate's Degree

With so much of our lives dependent on computers, more and more people will be needed to provide tech support.

Program Perks: