Tuition: Is $4600 Normal?

$500 will get you a CDL but it won't get you hired. For example there is a place in LaBelle Florida.

It might however be good to have the CDL already in hand when going to a commercial academy that has a high drop-out rate. It is one less thing to worry about so the pressure should be less.

 

If you know what company you'd like to go with, ask them what schools are approved. Some schools may not meet your company of choice's requirements, then you're out money AND you won't be able to go on with who you want and will be stuck with a less than desirable employer.

 

Went to Sage and paid $4200. Wouldn't have went anywhere else (at least around here). Claimed it on my taxes got some back plus I get reimbursed from my employer.

 

$2600 for a 180+ hr school in Aurora, CO. One of my friends decided to take the short class, $1100 for 40hrs and got hired also. So it just all depends how you feel behind the wheel and what you need. But most important what the company you want to work for needs you to have...

 

The TDT I am going through at the Caddo Kiowa Tech center charged me 2400. It is 260 hours and 3-6 weeks. It depends on how much a student knows going in how long the classes are. However I have seen some guys that have been in the whole six weeks but are staying longer because they don't feel comfortable yet. The school isn't charging them any extra either. The instructors are really knowledgeable, they come across as folks who want to help you get better and not just shuffle you through.

 

down here in san antonio we have 2 schools roadmaster is about 7000 and swift has a school her thats 3900

 

Swift is $3900 for school $500 for housing. They will cover it upfront and you pay back out of your checks. @ 13 months you are 1/2 done but at that point they wave the second half and begin to repay the first. After 26 months the school was free. Good way to start on a budget.

 

So if you leave before the 26th MONTH Do they prorate the amount you owe?

 

If you leave before 13 months you owe the balance that you have not been charged. if you leave after the 13 month point, you owe nothing. But every month you stay beyond 13 they pay you back until you get your investment back in full at month 26. If you leave between 13 and 26 they simply stop paying you back and you walk owing nothing.

 

I seriously don't understand how people think attending a community college at over 300 hours saves them money....even if it is only $1000/$1500 dollars.

There is absolutely no reason to have a CDL course that long. There is only one reason they do it, that is to qualify for federal and state funding all their courses have to cover basic symester credit terms. The best student driver companies will take students with usually around 145/165 hours.

That can usually be done in 3 weeks at most schools, so why waste the other 5 weeks unemployed and training for more than you need?

If I go to a school that is 3 weeks long but pay $4000 and you go to a course that is 8 weeks long and pay $1500, I only paid $2500 more and I got to work 5 weeks faster than you. I've made all that money back and then some plus I get to avoid the additional unemployment time.

I'll get my additional training with the company trainer and get paid to do it.

Not to mention, most community schools have 3 to 6 month waiting lists to get in class.

Add that to your unemployment time and see where that gets you.

When I needed to get to work I couldn't wait that long, just couldn't afford it.