Question

You wish to take an Excel course. You may enroll at one within your school or you may take a community class at the local library. You've gathered the following information to aid in your decision-making process.
Costs/Benefits College Course Community Course
Cost $2,600 $1,390
Distance to course 0.40 miles (walking distance) 16 miles (driving distance)
Timing of course Weekday Weekend
Number of meetings 16 8
Qualitative considerations Convenience, quality of instruction Flexibility, brief duration
If you enroll in the community class, you will be unable to work at your regular job on weekends for the eight weekend days when the class meets. If you typically earn $260 per weekend shift, which option would you choose (considering enrollment cost and opportunity cost)?
a) Neither alternative
b) College course
c) Community course
d) Both alternatives

Answer 1

Answer:

The chosen option (considering enrollment costs and opportunity cost) is:

b) College course.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Costs/Benefits

                           College Course          Community Course

Cost                              $2,600                         $1,390

Opportunity costs         -2,080                          2,080

Net costs                         $520                        $3,470

Distance to course      0.40 miles                    16 miles

                                  (walking distance)      (driving distance)

Timing of course          Weekday                     Weekend

Number of meetings    16                                 8

b) With the College course option, you will earn $2,080 ($260 * 8) weekdays to offset part of the enrollment cost.  With the Community course option, $2,080 will be lost in opportunity cost, thereby increasing the total costs incurred.  These costs are apart from the driving costs associated with traveling 16 miles to the Community Course at the local library.