Every day more and more homeschoolers finish their High school studies and start a new journey into college. Many feel that this is the jumping off point for homeschooling. That it is time to join the masses in formal education. Well, not necessarily. For those who have been successful with self study and independent learning why not continue that success into a college career.

Traditional College Alternatives

The obvious alternative is online college. But there is another option that is a more natural progression to the homeschooled self paced, self designed curriculum and that is to earn a degree with credit by examination. Credit by examination provides a truly self paced and independent learning environment. Exams are offered in a wide variety of subjects through testing programs such as CLEP, DSST, ECE and GRE subject exams. Majors within the fields of Business, Technology, Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Liberal Arts are all available entirely through examinations.

Credit by examination can also be a very inexpensive option since most three to six credit exams can cost as little as $60. Compare that to the $300 to $900 price tag for traditional college courses. There is no shortage of study material for these exams. Each testing organization, along with third party vendors, offers a variety of study options at very reasonable prices. Even if a student doesn't complete an entire degree with examinations, thousands of colleges around the U.S. accept these credits in transfer. This may be an economical way to start college studies while determining the best path to a college degree.

Which Colleges?

Three accredited institutions in the U.S. that will confer degrees based entirely on credit by examination are:

Excelsior College - Private college in Albany, New York that specializes in meeting the needs of adult learners.

Thomas Edison State College - Public College in Trenton, New Jersey that specializes in Distance Education.

Charter Oak State College - Public College located in New Britain, Connecticut.

Don't feel that high school has to be the last stop in homeschool education. There are options. Do your research and make sure that the school you choose is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.