With the cost of college rising more than six percent since last year, according to the College Board, students are focusing on ways of reducing costs and increasing learning.

In the past, students have chosen to participate in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, post-secondary options and branch colleges. While all of these options may reduce the cost of college, the differences between them are varied.

Mrs. Margie Blake, Hoover High School’s AP testing coordinator, said the number of students taking AP courses has increased by 40 percent since last year, attributing the growth, at least partially, to the potential money-saving benefits.

“While saving money is not the primary reason students take AP courses, they do have the potential to receive college credit for their work,” Blake said. “The tests, which are taken in May, are scored on a one to five scale. Students receiving a three or above have the possibility of receiving credit, or at least moving ahead in the coursework.”

Hoover currently offers 14 different AP programs, ranging from Art Studio Drawing to AP U.S. History.

Blake did warn however, that the college credit is never a certain reward.

“The trick is, it’s never guaranteed,” she said.

Even so, the potential savings are significant, when compared with the $84 students pay to take the May test.

“A three-hour class at Akron University costs $849, while at Bowling Green the same course costs $1440,” she said. “Both significant savings when one considers the small $84 investment.”

Another option is to take college courses through a PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) program, said Kent State advisor Mr. Ryan Bucher.

“These types of programs are designed to give high school students the opportunity to take college courses in high school at no charge,” Bucher said.

Senior Emily Boli said the experience is unlike any high school course one can take.

“I get to interact in a real college setting,” Boli said.

Bucher said the PSEO not only provides free college courses, but a chance to experience college.

“Classes at Kent State only have up to six PSEO students per class, at any time,” he said.

Boli also thought the overall experience was made better through the college “immersion” experience.

“You can grow and meet older people and ask about their college experiences,” she said. “It just helps you grow as a person.”

Ultimately, Bucher said students who take post-secondary courses have the possibility of entering college at the level of a college sophomore or junior.

“While few students have two years of credits completed, there is the potential to save one to two years worth of tuition at around $4,000 to $8,000,” he said.

Hoover graduate and Kent Stark freshman Matt Sandt said attending a branch college offers a great amount of savings while still providing the basic services of a full-scale main branch.

“It’s a really good college for a local school,” Sandt said.

Bucher said that while branch colleges can save students significant money on their tuition, the branches do not have the capabilities of providing the same services.

“The branch colleges may not be able to offer the majors you want, though if you are planning to stay at home for college, this will save you money,” he said.

While some services may be reduced, the teaching staff at Kent Stark must go through the same qualification processes as the professors at the main branch.

“The professors here have all gone through the same processes as the teachers at the main campus,” he said. “Ninety percent of the teaching staff at this campus have a terminal degree, meaning they have received all of the possible degrees in their study.”

Sandt said the quality of the professors shows in the classrooms.

“The professors are outgoing; they’ll go out of their way to help you,” Sandt said.

“Four years costs far less at a branch college than possibly even one year of school at a main campus,” Bucher said. “That said, however most students do end up taking some courses off-site, which does reduce some of the savings.”

Though costs associated with college have increased over the years, Bucher said it was important to evaluate the bottom line.

“A lot of it is picking a school with the program you want and ensuring you are comfortable with the school,” he said. “Even a branch school is still a lot of money and you want to make sure that it’s somewhere that you can succeed in.”