I am trying to decide between cosc and tesc. I have read a ton of information on this board already (thanks to all!) but am wondering if anyone has any opinions comparing these 2 schools. They seem to be almost identical except the COSC enrollment fee is about $1,000 less than TESC. I am just wondering if any TESC students might have time to tell me why they chose the more expensive route. At first I wanted TESC because I thought it listed the major on the degree but I recently found a post stating otherwise. It seems both COSC and TESC list only Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, so why pay more?

I thought the same about TESC or Excelsior...Excelsior charges almost $300/credit for their online course, so I emmediately dismissed them as an option now. I am deciding to go with either TESC or Empire State. I most likely will choose Empire State because I am in NY and could get much more aid if I go there. I never heard of COSC until now (I am new on here) so I will look into them now too! Good Luck!

I chose TESC a few years ago when I had to pick a school for my army tuition assistance haha. I had read this book about earning credits for military training, and it covered EC, TESC, and COSC. Honestly, I went with TESC because of the name. Not the best reason, I know, but Excelsior just sounded weird and Charter Oak reminded me of the name of the band camp in American Pie
Later, when I found out they accepted FEMA credits raw, I was even happier haha. As far as cost goes, I really can't help you there. I'm enrolled in the Military Degree Completion Program, so I don't have to pay any enrollment fees. I do have to take 12 SH with them so they get their money out of me/Uncle Sam, but it's a small trade off.

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Jesse
BA in Liberal Studies, Thomas Edison State College, 2008

I personally decided on TESC for the declared major. With COSC it would've been General Studies (with a concentration in CIS), whereas with TESC I was able to complete the degree I had set out for, which was a BSBA with an emphasis in CIS. For some people it doesn't matter, for me it did.

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Brian in Virginia Beach, VA
Currently enrolled in the MS, MIS program at University of Illinois at Springfield
BSBA, CIS, Thomas Edison State College
Certificate, Accounting Specialist, Tidewater Community College
AS, Social Sciences, Tidewater Community College
AS, Business Administration, Tidewater Community College
AOS, CIS, Southeast College of Technology

I personally feel that COSC shouldn't be mentioned as one of the big 3. I think it should be called the little 2. COSC has under 2,000 students, heck big family reunions have almost that many. I don't see why anyone would want to waste their time with them. It doesn't even merit mention anymore. Even their website looks hokey. Not meant as an insult to anyone who has graduated from there but I would be looking at Excelsior (donation beggars) or TESC (you don't get answers unless you pay $75 bucks). You don't really know if they (COSC) will be around for long. I move that we stop referring to COSC as one of the big three. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE!

Why wouldn't COSC be around? Their approach to awarding degrees may be a turnoff to many but being a state school gives them a level of credibility that Excelsior lacks when being judged by those unfamiliar with any of the schools being discussed. And if you want to bash hokey websites you can start with TESC. What's with the cartoonish pictures on the front page? If COSC would've had declared majors they would've been my first choice by far. Maybe the NEASC only allows them to distribute general studies degrees, I never checked into it, but overall they seem to have their act together moreso than any of the others, and therefore should be an easy choice for those just needing a bachelor's degree in any subject as a credential.

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Brian in Virginia Beach, VA
Currently enrolled in the MS, MIS program at University of Illinois at Springfield
BSBA, CIS, Thomas Edison State College
Certificate, Accounting Specialist, Tidewater Community College
AS, Social Sciences, Tidewater Community College
AS, Business Administration, Tidewater Community College
AOS, CIS, Southeast College of Technology

Oh, you do NOT want to go there! Charter Oak's been around for 35 years. I really don't think they're going anywhere any time soon. Although you may feel the web site is "hokey," I and many fellow graduates have received acceptances to top-notch, competitive graduate schools, from Yale to Columbia and Johns Hopkins....plus a variety of medical and law schools, etc.

Even if you don't feel it should be called one of the Big Three because of its size, I assure you, you get a quality education at Charter Oak.

I wouldn't even think about bashing another online program unless I had actually had been a former student, or had taken classes with them and had an unsatisfactory experience.

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Charter Oak State College GRADUATE (I can finally say that as of 05/31/08)!!
Concentration - Psychology
Tests Completed:
CLEP: Introductory Sociology - 65
DSST: Drug and Alcohol Abuse - 61
Here's to Your, Health - 66
Fundamentals of Counseling - 67
Charter Oak Tests: Infant and Toddler Development
Child Developmental Psychology
Introduction to Early Childhood Education (all passed, worth 3 credits each)
Psychology GRE: 62nd percentile, 18 credits

The big deciding factor for me was the major thing. I wanted a Bachelor of Science in Marketing or BSBA Marketing as it will look on my resume. Where as if I went to COSC I would have a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Marketing.

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BSBA Marketing Thomas Edison State College-63/120

College Math-66, College Algebra-64, Analyzing & Interpreting Literature-67, U.S. History I-66, U.S. History II-61, Information Systems & Computer Applications-59, Biology-61, DSST Introduction to Business-61, Introductory Sociology-65, Introductory Psychology-52, Principles of Microeconomics-54, Principles of Macroeconomics-47, Principles of Marketing-68, Financial Accounting-47, Introductory Business Law-62, Principles of Management-70, DSST Principles of Supervision-64, DSST Organizational Behavior-68, English Literature-61

eating popcorn

First off, I'm not bashing the program. I'm stating a fact. Their enrollment is very miniscule compared to the other 2. Really, just enough to keep them going. I know they've been around a long time. So was Bulgaria. While I agree TESC has a corny looking website, COSC just seems like a bogus school. I called a long time ago and it seemed like the call was forwarded to a residence. Hey, if someone wants to attend COSC, have at it. I just think the other two are better options. And while I am not crazy about TESC and the way they conduct their business, I think their programs are good. Take a look at the COSC website and tell me you want to spend your time and hard earned $$$ w/them. I also realize there will people coming forward talking about the degree they rec'd from there and how it propelled them further. I don't doubt it. How much was due to the school vice the person. I definitely have to question a "quality education" but you are right, I haven't attended so I don't know how good it is. When you are for the most part, self taught (after all, that's what we are when you take Independent study, CLEP, DSST and ECE's, that's my take), how much credit can you really give these schools in those instances? Really. I remain committed to my stance, I put up as a referendum to move to strike COSC from the BIG 3. All those in favor, say Aye!........Eating popcorn, GOOD ONE :}