Is that course you mentioned $170 total, or per credit hour? If it is total, wow that's an awesome deal.

I just finished a fast track course in college algebra, and I spent a grand total of $410 including tuition, book, and calculator.

You DEFINITELY need the graphing calculator.

My school does have distance learning courses (Tulsa Community College) and the tuition is pretty reasonable even for non-residents (about $160/credit hour), but it doesn't compete with a grand total price of $170.

~Good luck!