If you’re looking for the most affordable colleges in Maryland, consider heading your list with community colleges. Though these schools usually only grant two-year degrees as well as some certificates and diplomas, you can always use them to earn an associate’s degree at a low cost and then transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. Many people find this approach saves them thousands of dollars. If this is an option for you, consider Baltimore City Community College. Located in Baltimore, Maryland this community college has two campuses as well as satellite locations from which you can choose. Want a lot of choices? This school offers more than 30 different degrees, and the tuition (as of January 2012) is just $88 per credit hour.

Located in Westminster, Maryland, Carroll Community College is also among those that offer low tuition. This school’s per-credit tuition comes in at $101 per credit hour for residents. Those who live out of the area can expect to pay considerably more, however. Out-of-county residents pay about $178 per credit hour while out-of-state residents have to pay about $250 per credit hour (as of January 2012). The school has an average class size of 20 students and offers a range of educational options in areas like allied health, healthcare education, business and information technologies, engineering, and the arts. You may also consider this college for its range of social science and teacher education options.

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Finding the cheapest colleges in Maine means considering community colleges like Northern Maine Community College and York County Community College as well as the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Augusta, Fort Kent, or Machias for a four-year degree. The costs you will have to cover, however, depend on whether or not you are a resident and your choice of on-campus or off-campus housing.

Located in Presque Isle, Maine, Northern Maine Community College has been educating students since the early 1960s and is among the cheapest colleges in this state. Currently, the school serves more than 2000 students each year, with a faculty-to-student ratio of about 1:15 and dozens of educational programs. This school offers both degree and non-degree programs in categories like business technology, arts and sciences, nursing, allied health, trade, and technology. Non-degree programs include those intended for people in need of continuing-education credits or corporate training. There are even some programs for individuals interested in driving tractor trailers. The tuition at this school makes it one of the most affordable colleges in Maine, allowing you to attend for $86 per credit (based on the 2011 to 2012 academic year) for residents and $172 per credit for non-residents. Unlike many community colleges, this one even offers room and board at extra cost.

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The most affordable colleges in Louisiana include Baton Rouge Community College and Delgado Community College. Both of these schools offer low tuition and the chance to save on your first two years of college education and then transfer to a four-year college or university. As far as the four-year schools are concerned, you can get an education for less at Baton Rouge College, Grambling University, and Louisiana State University. Select one of these affordable colleges in Louisiana if your goal is to get a quality education without digging yourself deep into debt.

Baton Rouge Community College, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs. Students can attend on a part-time or full-time basis, and many course credits are transferable to a four-year institution. If you choose to attend this school, you will also have choices when it comes to course format. You can take advantage of traditional or online classes. Tuition here is very low, with fall 2011 tuition coming in at about $88 per credit hour for residents and $137 per credit for non-residents. Online tuition is $122 per credit hour.

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Community colleges are a good choice when you are in search of the most affordable colleges in Kentucky. For example, the Ashland Community and Technical College has three different campuses: one in Ashland, one in Summit, and another in EastPark. The school offers a range of different academic programs as well as transfer programs that make for a smooth transition to a four-year university after you have completed your community college program. Tuition for residents here is about $130 per credit hour. If you want to attend and you live in a county that borders Kentucky, you can attend for $260 per credit. The tuition is not so reasonable if you do not meet any of these residency categories, however. Tuition for non-residents is a whopping $445 per credit hour.

University of Kentucky is one of the most affordable colleges in the state. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the school has been educating students since 1865 and is today one of the top public research universities in the United States. Tuition for full-time undergraduate students at this school comes in at about $4305 each semester, which results in about $8610 in tuition for a two-semester school year. This low tuition is for residents only, however. Non residents can expect to pay more. The tuition for non residents is about $8839 per semester for a total of about $17678 for a two-semester school year.

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Consider Allen Community College when you are searching for affordable colleges in Kansas. This community college is located in Iola, Kansas and caters to traditional students who are seeking affordable tuition, individuals hoping to build career skills, and professionals looking for enrichment. This college even caters to high school students who are interested in dual enrollment opportunities and retirees in search of educational opportunities that enhance their lives. The tuition here is low, coming in at $47 per credit hour for both Kansas and out-of-state students. International students can expect to pay more, however, as tuition for these students is $134.00 per credit hour.

The most affordable colleges in Kansas also include Emporia State University, which is located in Emporia, Kansas. This school offers undergraduate programs in everything from art to social science as well as a range of pre-professional programs. If you decide to continue your education after undergraduate school, this institution also offers graduate programs. Emporia State University offers flat-rate tuition for individuals who want to take 10 or more credit hours per semester. You’ll pay just $2318 as an in-state resident. If you hail from out of state, however, you can expect your tuition costs to be dramatically higher. Tuition for non-residents is $7713 per semester.

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Indian Hills Community College is among the cheapest colleges in Iowa. You can obtain an education from this school for about $130 per credit if you are an in-state resident. Your tuition will amount to about $65 more per credit, however, if you are an out-of-state resident. Founded in 1966, Indiana Hills Community College is located in Southeast Iowa and has three different campuses. The school also boasts eight different county service centers. This community college may be a good choice for you if you are hoping to earn an associate’s degree or secure a diploma or certificate. It offers the following academic divisions:

• Advanced Technologies

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Looking for cheap colleges in Indiana? If you are interested in a two-year college, start with Ivy Tech Community College. This community college has campuses throughout Indiana, including in Bloomington, Columbus, and Indianapolis, and offers tuition that is less than $3000 a year. For the 2010-2011 school year, you can take 12 credits for about $1254 per semester, not including fees. A 15-credit course load would cost about $1568 per semester. If you are coming from out of state, however, don’t expect your costs to be as reasonable. Out-of-state residents have to pay $221.35 per credit. This school offers over 150 different educational programs and numerous options on each of its campuses.

The University of Southern Indiana is also a good choice when you are looking for cheap colleges in Indiana. Located in Evansville, University of Southern Indiana offers a range of liberal arts, professional, and technical programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree level. This university’s tuition for 2010-2011 is $184.67 per credit hour if you are a state resident. If you live out of state, you can expect to pay $277 per credit hour. This means taking 24 credits for the year will cost you $4432 if you qualify for in-state tuition. If you are an out-of-state resident, you’ll pay $6648 for 24 for credits. That’s not bad for a college education.

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For those seeking affordable colleges in Illinois, Black Hawk College is one of the institutions that delivers. This community college has locations in both Moline and Kewanee. On its Quad-Cities and East campuses, the school offers a wide range of educational program courses that end in associate’s degrees or certificates. Tuition and fees vary based on where you have residence. The lowest tuition is reserved for in-district residents and comes in at $85 per credit. Online courses for Illinois residents are $99 per credit. If you are an out-of-district Illinois resident or a resident of an Iowa contiguous county, you will pay $193 per credit or $119 per credit respectively. Out-of-state residents pay $193 per credit for traditional courses and $119 per credit for those that are online.

Shawnee Community College is also among the most affordable college in Illinois. This community college spans over 150 acres near the Ohio River in Ulin, Illinois. This institution has a commitment to meeting the educational needs of a diverse student population. To this end, it provides more than 100 different educational programs from which you can choose and earn either an associate’s degree or a certificate. Tuition at Shawnee Community College is just $87 per credit for in-district residents, $131 per credit hour for non-district residents of Illinois, and $145 per credit for out-of-state residents.

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If you’re looking for affordable colleges in Idaho, start with state universities like Boise State University and Idaho State University. They offer tuition that is very reasonable for state residents. Don’t overlook the College of Southern Idaho when you’re considering your options, however. It offers very low tuition as well. Additionally, Lewis-Clark State College should definitely make your list.

Boise State University, located in Boise, Idaho, offers over 165 different fields of interest. At this college, you can pursue undergraduate education and then go on to enroll in the graduate program of your choice. This state university even offers a range of technical programs from which you may choose. Tuition for the 2010-2011 school year is $232 per part-time credit and $3437 per semester for full-time residents. Non-residents have to pay an additional $84 per credit or $4728 per semester.

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Online degrees are ones that are gained through distance learning programs. These are college programs that are given through the internet, allowing individuals to study, receive instruction, and turn in class work all in online format. Since these programs are a relatively new phenomenon given the history of modern education as a whole, it’s appropriate to ask what the real value of online degrees is. Let’s face it, in terms of degrees, value translates to value in the job market. In other words, it is about how much demand there is for individuals possessing online degrees. How do these degrees compare with real world, “bricks and mortar” type degrees? How well regarded are they by employers?

The best way to think about this question is not so much in terms of online degrees themselves, but rather in terms of a number of different factors that affect the perceived value of these degrees. Here are some of these factors:

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