Save Money on College: How One Student Cut $15K Off Degree Costs in 9 Months

A Gateway Education student's experience shows how affordable general education options can help learners reduce college costs while moving quickly toward the degree they want

GREENWOOD, Ind., Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In nine months, one Gateway Education student completed 33 college credits, transferred those credits toward his degree, and saved approximately $15,000.

Those 33 credits represent approximately two traditional full-time college semesters, or about one academic year of coursework.

By taking advantage of Gateway's course pricing and available savings, this student completed 33 credits at an average cost of approximately $44 per credit. Over nine months, his total cost was approximately $1,471.

His experience offers a real-world example of something many learners may not realize. There can be more than one way to complete the general education courses required for a college degree.

Read the student's full story: How One Student Saved $15,000 on 33 College Credits.

"We want students to know they have options when it comes to completing their degree," said David Christy, President of Gateway Education. "For this student, completing 33 credits through Gateway helped him save approximately $15,000 while continuing to make progress toward his degree. That is the kind of opportunity we want more learners to know is available."

Making the Investment in College Go Further

The cost of earning a degree remains significant for many families. For the 2025–26 academic year, average published tuition and fees are $11,950 for in-state students at public four-year institutions and $45,000 at private nonprofit four-year institutions, according to the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2025 report (College Board).

A college degree can still be an important investment in a learner's future. But students can also be thoughtful about how much they spend getting there.

Gateway Education gives learners another option to complete eligible general education and prerequisite courses and transfer those credits toward a degree. Courses are online and self-paced, allowing students to progress according to their schedules and ability to master the material.

Gateway courses are $79 each, with a $95 monthly membership. Because students can complete multiple courses during their membership, those who move through courses more quickly can lower their average cost per credit.

"College can be a great investment, and we want to help students get the most from that investment," Christy said. "If a student can earn the degree they are working toward while finding a more affordable way to complete some of the courses they need, they can reduce their overall cost and improve the return on their education."

Moving Faster Without Sacrificing Quality

While Gateway's self-paced model gives students the flexibility to move quickly, that flexibility does not mean lowering academic expectations.

Gateway courses are ACE-recommended for college credit, meaning independent faculty subject-matter experts through the American Council on Education have evaluated them. ACE's review examines course content, assessments, assignment rubrics, and examples of student work. Faculty evaluators determine the appropriate amount and level of recommended academic credit by comparing the learning experience with current expectations and standards at accredited colleges and universities (American Council on Education).

Gateway courses include defined learning outcomes, structured coursework, and assessments. Students must demonstrate their understanding of the material to complete a course.

For working adults, parents, and other learners balancing education with everyday responsibilities, the ability to control their pace can make progress toward a degree more manageable without changing the academic expectations of the coursework.

Helping Learners Understand Their Options

Gateway encourages students to begin with their end goal in mind by understanding their degree requirements and where their credits will transfer.

Gateway guarantees acceptance of its courses at partner colleges and universities, giving students a clear pathway for applying eligible credits toward their degree. Students planning to attend an institution outside Gateway's partner network are encouraged to confirm transfer policies before beginning coursework, as individual colleges and universities determine whether and how transfer credit applies to their programs.

For the student who completed 33 credits through Gateway, understanding his options led to significant savings while allowing him to keep making progress toward his college degree.

His experience shows a simple idea: making college more affordable doesn't have to mean changing the goal. Sometimes it means finding a more affordable path to reach it.

Savings and completion time will look different for every student. The final cost depends on how many courses a student takes, how quickly they complete them, and any promotions available at the time. The college or university receiving the credits determines transfer credit.

About Gateway Education

Gateway Education provides affordable, flexible online college-level courses designed to help learners complete general education, prerequisite, and other eligible coursework on their path toward over 500 degree options with Gateway partner institutions.

Gateway courses are online and self-paced, allowing learners to progress on their schedules while meeting defined academic requirements and learning outcomes. Courses are $79 each plus a $95 monthly membership, which includes course materials, student support, and learning resources.

Gateway courses are ACE-recommended for college credit and have been evaluated through the American Council on Education's independent faculty review process (American Council on Education).

To learn more, visit www.gatewayeducation.com.

SOURCE Gateway Education