Originally Posted by mid
GWU now charges a flat-rate for tuition per year of almost $36K. Their rate per credit hour for part-time students is ~$900. That would make a class of 4 credits about $3600. That SAME class at Harvard will go for about $700. I looked at George Mason as well (since they are right down the street from me and my g/f goes there) and believe me when I tell you that the quality of the other students is far from optimal.
At least with Harvard I can almost be guaranteed that the students will be serious and the teaching will be excellent. .
Harvard an execellent education? Think again. Everyone gets an A no matter what and nobody ever fails any course. Serious students? Why be serious when the worst that can happen to you is a B avergare?
Also, the prestige of the degree is what you're looking for I assume. All fine and good. But the real value of a Harvard education is the connections you make while there - more so at Yale probably but I digress. You going there for a night class will not open those doors.
As for cost, think of the cost of your time. Take that $2900 and divide it by the number of hours you spend on the road. Is that hourly rate worth it to you? Is the added stress you incur?