Posted in HS4CC

Hot off the Press: Degree Plan for CSU Global $45,000 Degree for $10,275

Posted on by Jennifer Cook-DeRosa, M.S.

Your teen can take affordable self-paced classes *right now* during high school that will count towards a bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University Global. Of course CSU won’t help you know which ones you need, but I will. Here they are:

DID YOU KNOW? Freelancers and degree planning companies sell plans just like this to homeschooling parents for $450-$800. Instead, use HS4CC free plans and resources as models to teach yourself how to do this for your teen. (Where do you think they learned how to do it?)

CSU Global Website for this degree

HS4CC Alternative Credit Master List

CSU Global – Bachelor of Science in Marketing

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Colorado State University Global is a 120‑credit program. The degree consists of ten core marketing courses (30 credits) that must be taken at CSU Global, a general education core (31 credits) spread across several categories, and a large elective block to reach the total. Alternative credit sources allow you to fulfil many of these requirements while homeschooling. CSU Global accepts up to 90 transfer credits from approved providers; at least 30 credits, including all upper‑division marketing courses, must be completed through CSU Global.

The cost key estimate for each provider is: CLEP $0, DSST $100, AP $100, Saylor $5, Sophia $100, StraighterLine $150, Study.com $100.

Marketing Core (30 credits – must be taken at CSU Global)

  • ORG300 – Applying Leadership Principles (3 credits)
  • MKG310 – Introduction to Marketing (3 credits)
  • MKG330 – Consumer Behavior (3 credits)
  • MKG340 – Product and Brand Management (3 credits)
  • MKG350 – Integrated Marketing, Promotions, and Advertising (3 credits)
  • MKG400 – International and Multi‑Cultural Marketing (3 credits)
  • MKG420 – Digital Marketing (3 credits)
  • MKG440 – Strategic Marketing (3 credits)
  • MKG470 – Marketing Research (3 credits)
  • MKG480 – Capstone: Marketing Strategy and Execution (3 credits)

These ten courses form the core of the major and cannot be satisfied with alternative credit. Your teen can not take these courses until they graduate from high school. These 30 credits represent 1 year of college, specifically the last year. Your teen will apply for admission and graduation during the year following high school.

General Education Requirements (31 credits)

To fulfil CSU Global’s SuccessReady® general education, select one option from each category below. Each option lists the provider and cost tag. Course titles may vary slightly by provider, but they cover equivalent content.

Written Communications (6 credits)

  • CLEP College Composition – a single exam covers both Composition I and II (6 credits) • Cost: CLEP $0.
  • AP English Language or AP English Literature – each exam awards 6 credits • Cost: AP $100.
  • StraighterLine English Composition I + II – two 3‑credit courses • Cost: $150 each.
  • Study.com College Composition I + II – two 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • Sophia Composition I + II – two 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • DSST Technical Writing exam (3 credits) combined with another 3‑credit writing course from any provider (confirm with college) • Cost: DSST $100 for the exam.

Mathematics (3 credits)

  • Saylor Business Statistics (BUS204) – maps to Introduction to Statistics (3 credits) • Cost: $5.
  • CLEP College Algebra exam (3 credits) • Cost: $0.
  • DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra exam (3 credits) • Cost: $100.
  • Sophia College Algebra or Introduction to Statistics – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • StraighterLine College Algebra or Business Statistics – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $150 each.
  • Study.com College Algebra or Business Statistics – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • AP Statistics or AP Calculus AB – each exam yields 3-4 credits; excess credit counts toward electives • Cost: $100.

Arts & Humanities (3 credits)

  • Sophia Ancient Greek Philosophers or Art History I – 3 credits • Cost: $100.
  • Saylor Introduction to Western Political Thought (POLSC201) – 3 credits • Cost: $5.
  • StraighterLine Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Ethics – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $150 each.
  • Study.com Philosophy 101: Introduction to Philosophy or Humanities 101: Introduction to the Humanities – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • CLEP Analyzing & Interpreting Literature or CLEP Humanities – each exam earns 3 credits • Cost: $0.
  • DSST Ethics in America exam – 3 credits • Cost: $100.
  • AP Art History or AP English Literature and Composition – each exam earns 6 credits • Cost: $100.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)

  • Sophia Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology – 3 credits • Cost: $100.
  • Saylor Introduction to Western Political Thought (POLSC201) – counts as social science if not used for humanities • Cost: $5.
  • StraighterLine Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $150 each.
  • Study.com Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology or Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • CLEP Introductory Psychology or Introductory Sociology exam – 3 credits • Cost: $0.
  • DSST Lifespan Developmental Psychology or General Anthropology – 3‑credit exams • Cost: $100.
  • AP Psychology – exam earns 3 credits • Cost: $100.

History (3 credits)

  • Sophia U.S. History I or U.S. History II – 3 credits • Cost: $100 each.
  • StraighterLine U.S. History I or U.S. History II – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $150 each.
  • Study.com History 104: U.S. History I or History 105: U.S. History II – 3‑credit courses • Cost: $100 each.
  • CLEP History of the United States I or History of the United States II – exam for 3 credits • Cost: $0.
  • DSST The Civil War & Reconstruction, History of the Vietnam War, or Western Europe Since 1945 – 3‑credit exams • Cost: $100.
  • AP U.S. History or AP World History – each exam provides 6 credits • Cost: $100.

Natural & Physical Sciences (7 credits with a lab)

Select options totalling at least 7 credits, including one laboratory course.

  • StraighterLine General Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits) + Introduction to Biology for Non‑Majors (3 credits) • Cost: $150 each.
  • Saylor Introduction to Molecular & Cellular Biology (BIO101) (3 credits) + General Chemistry I (CHEM101) (3 credits) and complete a 1‑credit lab at CSU Global • Cost: $5 per course.
  • Sophia Environmental Science, Human Biology, or Introduction to Chemistry – 3‑credit courses; complete two courses and add a 1‑credit lab at CSU Global • Cost: $100 each.
  • Study.com Biology 101: Introduction to Biology, Chemistry 101: General Chemistry I, or Environmental Science 101 – 3‑credit courses; pair two courses and include a lab at CSU Global • Cost: $100 each.
  • CLEP Biology or Chemistry exam (6 credits) + a 1‑credit lab at CSU Global • Cost: $0 plus lab fee.
  • AP Biology, AP Chemistry, or AP Physics – exam grants 6-8 credits; check if a lab is required for your degree plan • Cost: $100.

Electives (approx. 59 credits)

After completing the marketing core and general education requirements, you will need roughly 59 credits of electives to reach 120 credits. Electives allow you to explore other subjects, satisfy high school requirements, or build complementary business skills. Below are sample options from various providers.

  • Saylor (cost $5/course) – Corporate Communication, Business Statistics, Calculus I, Business Law & Ethics, Principles of Marketing, Principles of Management, Introduction to Computer Science, Business Communication, Financial Accounting, and more.
  • Sophia (cost $100/course) – Business Law, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Accounting, Principles of Finance, Art History II, Public Speaking, College Readiness, Introduction to Java Programming, U.S. History I/II, Introduction to Ethics, Spanish I & II, and many others.
  • StraighterLine (cost $150/course) – Accounting I and II, Business Ethics, Business Law, Business Communications, Personal Finance, Medical Terminology, Introduction to Business, Introduction to Religion, Introduction to Nutrition, and dozens of additional courses.
  • Study.com (cost $100/course) – Business 101: Principles of Management, Finance 101: Principles of Finance, Accounting 101: Introduction to Accounting, Marketing 101: Principles of Marketing, Psychology 101, Sociology 101, Survey of World History, and many more.
  • CLEP / DSST / AP exams – Many exams provide 3 to 12 credits each. Examples include Foreign Languages (earning 6–12 credits), Financial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, Principles of Management, Money & Banking, U.S. Government, and others. Exams are a cost‑effective way to accumulate elective credits; each exam typically equates to 3–6 credits and can be completed quickly with self‑study.

Planning Notes

  • CSU Global has a 10% scholarship offer to anyone who uses a Study.com course, so by incorporating at least one course from Study, you’ll save at least $1,125.
  • Transfer Limit: Up to 90 credits from alternative sources may be transferred to CSU Global. At least 30 credits, including all upper‑division marketing courses, must be completed directly with the university.
  • Dual Credit Considerations: When selecting courses, ensure they meet your high school graduation requirements (if you have them). Above providers offer self‑paced courses for homeschool students. Exams like CLEP and DSST require proctored testing but are inexpensive and efficient and can be used with any homeschool curriculum, including religious.
  • Science Lab Requirement: At least one science course must include a laboratory component. StraighterLine’s General Chemistry I with Lab satisfies this; otherwise, plan to complete a 1‑credit lab through CSU Global alongside exam or online courses.
  • Cost Planning: Use the cost key to compare options. Exams and Saylor courses offer the lowest cost per credit, while provider courses may provide more structured instruction.
  • Provider Flexibility: Mixing and matching providers can optimise cost, content, and learning style. If you prefer to minimise the number of providers, concentrate on one or two sources and fill gaps with exams.

Cost Analysis

Rack Rate: the full degree without external credit at CSU Global costs $45,000.

Lowest cost: 90 credits from low‑cost providers like Saylor and CLEP (about $150 total) plus 30 CSU credits at the discounted rate ($10,125) yields an overall cost of around $10,275.

Typical mix: using mid‑priced providers (Sophia and Study.com) results in about $13,125 total.

Highest cost: choosing the most expensive alternative courses (StraighterLine) still brings the program in at roughly $14,625.

The analysis also highlights that including just one Study.com course triggers a 10% discount on all CSU credits, lowering the cost of the 30 in‑house credits from $11,250 to $10,125

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this course planning post, educational policies and requirements can change without notice. Homeschooling for College Credit, Inc. and the author do not guarantee transferability or equivalency and are not liable for any decisions or outcomes based on this information. Always verify current requirements with Colorado State University Global and individual providers before enrolling.

Author:

Founder & Executive Director of Homeschooling for College Credit, Inc.