How To Pay For an Organizational Leadership Degree

Organizational leadership bachelor's degrees prepare students for business and project management roles. Organizational leaders typically need to hold a degree. Unfortunately, these degrees can be expensive. Students who want that edge in the job market can use several financial aid options to cover their tuition. Keep reading to discover how to pay for an organizational leadership degree.

What Is the Average Cost of an Organizational Leadership Degree?

The cost of an organizational leadership program can depend on several factors. These include what level of degree you're earning as well as:

• whether your school is public or private
• if you're attending a public university, if you're an in-state student
• what state your college or university is in
• whether you take courses online or on campus
• whether you study part-time or full-time
• what type of financial aid you qualify for

We've broken down the average costs of an organizational leadership degree by degree level below.

Associate Degree

Associate degrees are two-year undergraduate degrees. Community and technical colleges offer associate degrees but larger colleges and universities sometimes offer them. Tuition for an associate degree is usually not influenced by the specific major. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of a degree at a two-year institution is $3,885 per year.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degrees are another type of undergraduate degree and usually take four years to complete. The average cost of an undergraduate degree at a four-year institution is $17,709 per year. However, this number can vary significantly between public and private schools. Public schools average $9,750 yearly for in-state students, while nonprofit private schools average $38,421 yearly.

Master's Degree

Master's degrees are graduate degrees. Tuition for these degrees is more likely to vary based on the type of program you're studying.

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is $56,850. A Master of Arts degree averages $66,950, and a Master of Science degree averages $57,770. Organizational leadership majors can be offered as any of those degrees.

Tips for Paying for an Organizational Leadership Degree Program

Although earning a college degree can be expensive, students can lower their tuition costs in several ways. Below, we've offered some tips for paying for your organizational leadership degree.

1. Complete the FAFSA

The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that students pursuing financial aid for higher education must fill out. To complete the FAFSA, you must create an account at StudentAid.gov. Then, you'll need to gather your family's financial information and complete the application online. The whole process takes about an hour.

2. Explore Scholarships for Organizational Leadership Majors

Scholarships are financial aid that doesn't need to be paid back. You can receive a scholarship for many reasons, including your field of study. Let's explore a couple of scholarships for organizational leadership.

Penn State For Adult Students Program

Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, is a public research university system in Pennsylvania. It offers on-campus and online bachelor's programs and graduate programs.

The university offers scholarships specifically for adult learners. To qualify, you must be enrolled either part-time or full-time at Penn State and meet one of the following criteria:

• be age 24 or older
• be an active duty military member or veteran
• have a spouse or dependents

Lucille Siniard Cain Memorial Scholarship in Organizational Leadership

Brevard College is a private college in Brevard, North Carolina. It offers bachelor's and master's programs, including a bachelor's degree in business and organizational leadership. Students in this program may qualify for the Lucille Siniard Cain Memorial Scholarship in Organizational Leadership. This scholarship is based on financial need.

3. Discover Organizational Leadership Grants

Grants are similar to scholarships, in that they are a type of financial aid that generally do not need to be repaid. Below, we've listed a few grants for organizational leadership students.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Leadership Grant Program

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty. It offers leadership grants to support the development of leaders of color at grantee organizations. To earn one of these grants, you must be a person of color working as a full-time staff member at an organization that receives a grant from the foundation. The funds can be used for leadership development programs.

Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation Leadership Grants

The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is dedicated to nurturing environmental leaders. It offers leadership grants to nonprofit organizations to create a leadership position or project for a Switzer Fellow that actively advances ecological improvement. Organizations can receive up to $60,000 per year. They must use these funds to advance the expertise of a Switzer Fellow.

The Helen J. Serini Foundation Leadership Development Grant Program

The Helen J. Serini Foundation is a nonprofit that supports interventions to address systemic barriers such as health and shelter. It offers leadership development grants to help organizations provide development for staff. This development can include a range of training options. Applicants may request up to $1,500 per applicant, totaling no more than $3,000 per organization.

4. Look for Student Loans

Most students prefer to avoid student loans, but sometimes they're inevitable. There are many different providers of student loans, including the federal government and private banks. When considering student loans, look for options with reasonable interest rates and consider deferment options. Deferment means you don't pay the loan back until after you graduate.

5. Consider a Work-Study Program

Work-study programs are a financial aid option offered by colleges and universities. They allow students to work for the school or a partnering organization to pay off their tuition.

These give students a chance to learn valuable skills, like:

• conflict resolution skills
• critical thinking skills
• decision-making skills
• interpersonal skills
• leadership skills
• problem-solving skills

Is Organizational Leadership a Useful Degree?

Organizational leadership degrees can be useful. They help you develop important business management skills that may serve you well on various career paths. Some leadership roles you may be able to get with an organizational leadership degree include:

• health services manager
• human resources manager
• operations manager
• sales manager
• services manager
• training and development manager

After you've honed your skills through years of experience in organizational leadership jobs, you may be able to work your way up to a top executive role, with a job title like chief executive.

What Is the Job Outlook for Organizational Leadership Graduates?

The job outlook for organizational leadership graduates can vary depending on what type of management position you work in. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for organizational leadership jobs over the next ten years includes:

• health services manager: increase of 28%
• human resources manager: increase of 5%
• operations managers: increase of 4%
• sales managers: increase of 4%
• services manager: increase of 5%
• training and development managers: increase of 6%