Snrb,Before you commit to any program because it is cheaper, check out all of the options of all of the schools. Cheaper is not always better. The most expensive is not always better. You really have to take the info provided by each school and weigh it carefully.
Here are a few tips on how to research:
1. Try to get a list from the different schools of all the reference materials they will provide with the course (the whole course).
a. If they won't provide you with a list that is a big check mark against them because the reference materials in and of themselves will not teach you to be an MT.
b. Take this list and research the cost of materials via internet, book store, etc...write the cost down beside each reference then add up total cost of materials.
2. Take the total cost of the materials and subtract it from the total cost of the course. This total is what you are paying for tuition, shipping and handling, office overhead, and other incidentals.
3. Contact each school and see what kind of turnaround time you get with a response. If you do not get a response for days, barring a computer blowup 
, this is *normally* what you can expect when communicating with them as a student.
4. Email some of the students from the different schools and ask any specific questions you may have at this point. You may get more information good or bad via email.
5. Visit the different schools' websites and *lurk* around their conversations. Are these the type of people you want to be students with? Evaluate the conversations. Be forewarned that there is always a little light-hearted humor to make the tough days go better. I love this part! 
6. Does it all come down to money? Maybe quality, resources, student interaction, and the personal contact with instructors make a better choice!
7. Ask about payment plans.
There are other things you can do but this will get you started.
Paula R.
Disclosure: I am an Andrews student and feel that I chose correctly according to my research.
