MODULE 5: Saving Time and Money

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Saving Time and Money 

If you’ve made it this far in the course, you already know how powerful PSEO can be. But in this module, we’re going to put real numbers on it. We’ll show you exactly how much we saved, how we picked the right electives, and how PSEO compares to AP classes or just waiting and paying for college later. So let’s dive in.

Why This Module Is Important

Let’s be honest: college is expensive. For most families, the thought of tuition, books, dorms, and fees is overwhelming. And what’s worse—many don’t realize they have options. PSEO flips the script.

It’s one of the only ways to get real, transferable college credit while still in high school—and in Minnesota, it’s free. But most families don’t know how to take full advantage of it. We’re going to change that today.

REAL NUMBERS – How Much We Saved

Let’s look at real numbers—our actual out-of-pocket costs if we hadn’t used PSEO. Our son will be completing 82 college credits across Normandale and Bethel through PSEO. These weren’t theoretical credits—he took the actual classes, showed up, submitted work, and earned grades. Here’s what it would’ve cost us if we had paid for those credits ourselves:

Combined Savings:

Normandale (14 Credits) - $3,525

Bethel (72 Credits) - $72,140

Books/Fees - $5,000 estimate

Total: $80,655!!!

These savings are real—not inflated or based on assumptions. And thanks to Minnesota’s PSEO law, 100% of these costs were covered. Tuition, fees, and even books were paid by the state. We paid nothing for tuition.

So when people ask us, “Was it worth it?”—the answer is simple:

✅ We saved over $80,000+.
✅ Our son is graduating with two years of college credit.
✅ And he’ll enter his adult life with more options—and no student debt. 

Other Costs to Expect

Now, to be clear—PSEO doesn’t mean zero expenses.

Here’s what we paid for out-of-pocket:

• Gas and transportation: We added a used car so Charlie could get to campus.
• Meals: He usually brought lunch, but sometimes bought food.
• Technology: A good laptop is important.
• Time: Managing different calendars, snow days, finals—it takes planning.

But compared to college tuition? These are small trade-offs.  We probably spent $4,000–$5,000 in personal costs. But compared to $80,000? That’s a no-brainer.

Choosing Electives That Transfer

Now let’s talk electives—because not all electives are equal.

You want to choose classes that double-count:

• They should meet a high school requirement
• And also fulfill a college requirement

Look for classes that fall into Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal areas—what’s called the MnTC. Also, look ahead to your student’s potential major. Our son is planning to major in Business, so we made sure electives like Intro to Business, Business Math, and Business Applications would transfer and count toward that degree. We didn’t pick classes just because they “sounded interesting.”  We picked them because they moved him forward.

AP vs PSEO: What Really Counts? 

Let’s talk about a common question: “Why not just take AP classes?”

At first glance, AP looks like a solid option. But here’s how it really works:

• Students take the course all year, and then face a single high-stakes test in May.
• Only students who score a 3, 4, or 5 might earn college credit.
• Even then, it depends on the college. Some schools only accept 4s or 5s. Others won’t accept certain AP subjects at all.

Let’s look at local numbers:

• In Eden Prairie, about 80% of their 1,935 AP students earned a 3 or better.
• That also means 1 in 5 students—20%—got no credit despite doing all the work, the pressure, and time invested. That's a huge academic gamble.

Why PSEO Is More Reliable 

Now let’s compare that to PSEO:

• You take a real college class through a real college.
• As long as you earn a D or better, you receive full credit:
  • For high school graduation
  • And on an official college transcript (good or bad)

No high-stakes test. No risk of losing it all in May.  Whether you earn an A, B, C, or D—you move forward. That’s something AP just can’t guarantee.

But What If I Can’t Commute?

We get it—not every family can manage daily college campus visits. That’s why we want to highlight this. Bethel University offers a wide range of fully online PSEO courses. They also offer a list of face-to-face PSEO classes for those who want in-person options: And if Bethel isn’t the right fit? Normandale Community College also offers a robust catalog of online PSEO classes.

So yes—it’s possible. Even if your family needs flexibility, you can still earn real college credit from home.

Tips to Maximize Savings 

Here’s how to make the most of this opportunity:

• Start early: Consider starting in 10th grade if your student is ready.
• Use a credit tracker: Match high school requirements to PSEO courses.
• Finish the AA degree: If possible, this gives you a huge head start at many colleges.
• Stay organized: It’s a lot to manage—but it’s worth it.
• Communicate with your high school counselor: They’ll help you align everything.

Every smart step you take adds up to more money saved, less time spent, and a stronger academic outcome.

Our Family’s Story 

We didn’t have this all figured out when we started. We just knew college was expensive, and we were willing to do something different. We built a spreadsheet, talked to advisors, visited campuses, and made hard choices—including early mornings, extra driving, and being flexible. But now, Charlie is:

• Graduating high school with over 80 college credits
• Ahead in his business major
• On track to finish college in just two more years
• And we’ve saved $80,000+ along the way

That’s not a dream—it’s just smart planning.