How Much is a Project Management Course?

For most people, cost is an important consideration when choosing a project management class. Class prices can vary considerably, with shorter classes typically costing less and longer options being more expensive. This article discusses some of the different types of project management classes and the tuition costs associated with each.

What Is Project Management?

Project Managers oversee a variety of different types of projects, planning and executing all the tasks that need to be completed in order to achieve the successful completion of the project. They help ensure that everything runs smoothly, on time, and within budget. There are many different types of project management because different industries and different types of projects work differently. Three common ones are agile, waterfall, and lean.

What Can You Do With Project Management?

Project management skills can lead to a stable and high-paying career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), between 2022 and 2032, the projected change in employment for Project Management Specialists is 6 percent. This is higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of about 3 percent. BLS says, “As organizations seek ways to maintain and improve productivity, employment of project management specialists is expected to increase. These specialists will be needed to help manage various business operations, ensuring that projects meet their goals and are completed on time and within budget.” Project Managers earn between $88,000 and $117,000 yearly, depending on what type of project management they do.

Project Management Course Options

The cost of a project management class generally varies depending on how long the course is and how much material it covers. The most expensive way to learn project management is to earn a college degree. This option is likely to be expensive; most colleges cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars a year. However, you will cover a lot of material. Career-focused programs like bootcamps and certificate classes are another option. These are still fairly comprehensive, but they typically take months--rather than years--to finish. These generally cost somewhere between a few thousand and twenty or thirty thousand dollars. In addition to college programs and career-focused options, you could also learn project management through a shorter live training class or an on-demand course. These types of classes are usually significantly cheaper, however, they also cover a lot less material.

A College Degree

The most expensive way to learn project management is to enroll in a college degree program. Most colleges offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees that include project management. College programs are typically very comprehensive and include a wide range of different topics, with students learning both theory and practical skills. Earning a college degree is a good way to build a strong foundation in project management. A degree is also an asset on your resume. However, a college degree is not cheap. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average price of attending a four-year college ranges from $14,700 to $24,600 per year, depending on the school. For many people, pursuing such an expensive education means incurring substantial debts. 

Immersive Career-Focused Classes

If you’re looking for a comprehensive project management education but don’t have tens of thousands of dollars and a number of years to invest, then you might want to consider an immersive, career-focused class like the bootcamps and certificate courses offered by Noble Desktop. Career-focused courses are generally designed for beginners and they cover a wide range of skills in order to prepare you to work in a project management-related field. These types of courses are accelerated, and designed to cover a lot of material in a relatively short amount of time. They typically take a number of weeks or months to complete, and most cost somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000. Many career-focused courses also include career support. For instance, there might be a career coach who can provide resume and job search advice. Some courses even include one-on-one mentoring sessions. Other types of career support may include access to professional networks and internships. In recent years, career-focused classes have become a popular alternative to college because they are a way to get career-ready at a far lower cost than a college degree.

Live Training Classes

If a certificate program is too much of a commitment for you, another option is to take a shorter live training class where you can learn some fundamental skills under the guidance of an expert. Some live training classes can be completed in only a day, while others might take three or four days. If you want to work as a project management professional, a short live class is unlikely to provide enough training, but it can be a good way to gain some basic skills. It can also be a way to get a better understanding of whether or not you might want to invest in a longer class in the future. Most live training classes cost hundreds of dollars.

On-Demand Classes

You could also choose to learn by enrolling in an on-demand class. On-demand classes contain pre-recorded material that you work through at your own pace. Most of them are designed for beginners, and they can be a great option for people with busy schedules because you can stop and start whenever you need to. Since there is no live instructor, on-demand classes are generally less expensive, however, the lack of a live instructor also means that you can’t ask questions or get feedback in real time. Most on-demand classes are not comprehensive enough for students who want to learn project management at a professional level, however, they can be a great way to start learning some fundamental skills. 

Free Resources

Another option for learning project management is to use free resources. There are a surprising number of free resources online including on YouTube, through educational sites like Coursera and Noble Desktop. Some schools provide these free resources to help students gain a better understanding of the topic they’re interested in before they commit to a formal class. Free resources are a great way to get an overview of project management, learn a specific skill, or troubleshoot a problem. However, if you’re serious about learning project management and you want to work as a professional in this field, you’ll probably need to invest in a paid class where you can follow a comprehensive curriculum under the guidance of an expert. A class also gives you the ability to ask questions and get feedback, which can make the learning process a lot easier.

Learn Project Management with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different project management classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong project management skill set. Its project management classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

If you’re looking for a short introductory class, Noble offers Project Management Level I, which covers the methods and strategies of modern project management theory. You’ll learn about the process of project management and cover the five phases. After that, you’ll spend more time focusing on the initiation and planning stages. Finally, you’ll learn about what it takes to be a successful project manager, including important strategies and skills. This course includes an overview of project management apps, associations, and certifications. You’ll also receive a slide deck that contains practical knowledge and a variety of exercises. 

Noble Desktop also has a more advanced class called Project Management Level II, which builds off the skills covered in the Level I class. In Level II, you’ll learn about the execution monitoring, and closing phases of project management. Instructors will also cover working with budgets and costs, managing limited resources, and staying within your budget. This course includes an introduction to Agile Project Management and popular Agile frameworks.

If you want a more comprehensive course, Noble also runs a Project Management Bootcamp. This class is designed for students who want to learn more about project management, including the five phases of a project, and who want to begin a project management career. It is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes and is offered at a discount. When you take the Project Management Bootcamp, you’ll learn the five phases of project management and will receive a slide deck that contains a variety of exercises. You’ll also learn about Waterfall, Critical Path, and Agile methods of project management, including popular Agile frameworks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class.

Another class option is Microsoft Project Level I, which is focused on this popular project management tool. This class is for PC users only; it cannot be completed with a Mac computer. The class is intended for users who need to manage multiple projects, want to increase efficiencies, and need to better manage resources. You’ll learn about the basic functions and features of Microsoft Project Professional. Covered topics include essential project management concepts, defining projects, entering tasks and examining task relationships, managing resources, optimizing, setting baselines, and sharing project plans. 

Noble also offers Microsoft Project Level II, where you’ll cover more advanced features of this application. You’ll learn how to update a project plan to reflect progress, how to monitor project progress in the project plan, and how to adjust the plan to control constraints. You’ll also learn to create project reports and customize project settings. Students who want to take the Level II course should have first completed Level I.