Studies may not help to determine cost-effectiveness of distance or mediated education for several reasons: difficulty gathering data; many costs are not intrinsic to technology, but a result of decisions made; and difficulty in comparing costs of different mediated programs. Cost-effectiveness of technology can be determined by designing and…

A mail survey of nonaccepters of places in Britain's Open University showed the major reasons for declining were financial problems, time commitment, effects on family life, other family or personal changes, increased work responsibilities, moving, unemployment, and necessity of studying another field for work. (MSE)

The Universidad Estatal a Distancia is used as an example to illustrate the methodology and utility of cost analysis in educational planning and decision making. By identifying cost-inducing variables in a system, it is possible to analyze expenditure against the level of activity associated with each variable. (Author/MLW)