least expensive Big 3 option for 18 year old if no college credit?

[bjcheung77]

@EducationSeeker, it's great you're trying to help your son out with his educational goals.  Reminds me of...well, me.  Haha, having said that, you're trying to use "older" data to make your decision for him.  It's akin to asking the car dealership for the same price on a car you saw 2 years ago, when the newer model just came out and is going for a very similar price (let's just say $100 more), wouldn't it be better to buy the new car and because they have stock?  

This is my suggestion, using your time on deciding what's more important - You need to go to the respective school website and get their fees to make a correct and informed decision!  Here's an example I did a few days ago for TESU (I suggest them over COSC/EU just because I like them more due to other reasons and because your sons work pays over 5K), you need to do something for the Big 3, COSC, EU, TESU: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid376838

Essentially, since he's still such a young one, I would have him continue on with his dual enrollment and CLEP/MS or Sophia.org courses to get him more acquainted with college studies and gaining credit the alternative way.  Further to that, he should be taking some time to do the Coursera/TADA option as this provides him more hands on or online training that provides ACE credit and industry recognized entry level certificates.  The timing right now is to get him to continue studies, my focus would be that and you can look at the wallet "afterwards" because you've got tuition assistance or reimbursement from work.

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Edit to Add: COSC has a small yet specific alternative credit providers they take now, here's their list.  https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/curre...e_prov.php
For upper level exams, you can take TECEPS,  here's the master exam list https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/curre...ograms.php
Here's another example of a freebie cert he can take: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...through-is