If your tuition were compared to a weekly pizza delivery, that would sound great – right?

Well, what happens when you’re on a Ramen noodle budget, just like the rest of us adult students with mortgages and a declining economy?

I’m referring to a comment made last week (http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/1214036172220521.xml&coll=2) by the University of Alabama at Huntsville’s President, David Williams. When questioned about the recent increase in tuition for all three University of Alabama schools (Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville), Williams compared the increase per semester to the equivalent of ordering an extra pizza a week.

This kind of comment has to make you think: “Who orders in pizza once a week? And if every family does so, who orders an EXTRA pizza every week?” Hey, that’s the equivalent of the monthly water bill in my house.

Don’t get me wrong; I love our state schools. I attended one. And I’m still supporting that school – by paying my ten years of student loans. But things are so different and have changed in just a matter of a couple of years. In order to pay bills, one must have a job. In order to have a job, one must have at least some college. In order to have a “good-paying job,” one must have at least a degree or multiple degrees. But here’s the catch: degrees cost money. The old saying, “To make money, you have to spend money,” has never been any truer.

While the cost for everything is skyrocketing, what are some simple ways to enhance your bank accounts while still maintaining your usual quality of living? One way is to consider attending an online university like Andrew Jackson University. Here's three reasons:

1. It’s ONLINE. Your gas consumption to attend school is zero; no wear-and-tear on your car and no parking fees.
2. Your tuition at AJU will NEVER increase. Once you enroll at the current rate, your tuition will be locked in. Are there any other schools who can promise that?
3. Cost of attendance for four undergraduate courses (one semester) at AJU is only $1,498.50; if you attend one of the University of Alabama campuses, a similar four-course semester will cost between $4,664.00 and $6,400.00.

That’s a lot of pizza.

Ashley Jasman