When comparing programs, whether in the healthcare field or other industries, you might see a range of tuition prices and think to yourself, “Why is this certification program more expensive than that other one? Don’t they lead to the same outcome?”
In this article, we’ll go over what supplies, fees, or exams may be included in the tuition cost of healthcare certification programs.
The most important factor that affects the price of attending a program is the type of certification or license that the course prepares its students to obtain. To comply with local, state, or national guidelines, some programs, like Certified Nurse Aide training programs, can be completed in as little as a few weeks, while others, like a paramedic program, may take over a year to complete.
Another major component that can affect the price of a program is the format of the course. Does instruction take place in person or online?
Nowadays, many institutions offer accelerated programs that allow students the flexibility of hybrid learning by combining in-person training with online lectures.
Nowadays, many institutions offer accelerated programs that allow students the flexibility of hybrid learning by combining in-person training with online lectures.
When a training program is offered in person or has a hands-on component, lab fees are often included in the price of tuition. Courses in the simulation lab are a crucial component of many healthcare training programs, allowing students to get comfortable by practicing their skills on manikins prior to working with real patients.
If a course takes place fully or partially online, is the price of a tablet or laptop included in the tuition price? Does the program have an option to purchase or rent a personal learning device for the duration of the course?
Next, most programs include curriculum materials in their tuition price. This category is quite broad and could include textbooks, worksheets, guides, reference papers, and more. Generally, these are the learning materials that students use in the classroom portion of the course.
On a more exciting note, when it comes to the laboratory and clinical sections of the program, you’ll likely need your own medical kit! Depending on the type of program, a medical kit could include a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, digital thermometer, bandages, watch, and more. The necessary supplies will differ based on the scope of the program and may or may not be included in tuition.
While nearly all facilities require students to wear scrubs while completing clinical hours, some training facilities also require students to be in uniform during classroom hours as well. Many programs include specific uniform scrubs in their tuition costs, yet other accessories like acceptable shoes, badge clips and lanyards, or branded pullovers may be additional purchases.
If a program only requires students to wear a certain color and not particular uniformed scrubs, then they may be able to purchase whichever brand or style of scrubs they prefer!
As students near the ends of their courses, they may also be interested in taking practice exams to prepare for the final certification exams offered by state licensing organizations. Some states include free written practice tests on their websites, but for advanced certifications, a program may factor specialized practice exams into the cost of their tuition.
Finally, when it comes to earning whichever certification the course is preparing you to complete, be sure to check whether the certification exam fees are included in tuition. The exact exam fee amount will vary depending on the type of license or certification you pursue. (As an example, in Indiana, the total fee for the CNA written and skills test is $75.00, while it can cost $160 to complete a cognitive exam to become a paramedic.)
In all, there’s a number of factors that can affect the cost of a program’s tuition, so be sure to read carefully before enrolling, and as always, feel free to contact one of our career counselors to learn more about a specific program or course offering listed in our app!
