I always pay with CC for DD's tuition. I try to get a card with a high MSR + high rewards and it's worked out well for me. Yes, there is a "convenience fee" and some people don't want to pay for that but I've run the numbers and it's always been worth it. Not only that, but I think it's paid off in the Keeping Amex Happy sense-putting that kind of spend on their cards means I've received some really impressive retention offers this year-from $150 on my biz green to $100 on my no AF BBP to $595 on my biz plat...as well as assisting me earn Platinum Medallion SkyMiles status (which, if one looks at the bloggers is worth anywhere from around $500-$2K).
I'm quoting myself to update y'all on my tuition payment. DD's tuition was around $20K (still waiting for one charge of another $2k).
I put the first $15K on DH's new Amex Biz Plat -that earned 172.5K MRs (he had the $15K for 150K plus anything over $5K earns 1.5x MRs).
cost-AF $595 + $427 (the college processor charges 2.85%)= $1022
value (I have 2 amounts-CS cash out at 1.25 cpp and my valuation 2 cpp) $2156/$3450
total value (minus the credits, etc-I'm trying to keep it simple!) cash out with CS plat-$1134 or
use as I do with MRs transferred to British Airways/ Flying Blue for international flights (primarily)-$2428
the next $2K I used on my BBP which had the Amex Offer of $25 credit for $500 spend-broke it up into 6 payments
cost- processor fees $85.50,
statement credit from Amex offer $150
6K MR value $75 (CS) or $120 (my valuation)
total value $139.50 (CS) , $184.5 (my valuation)
final $2K
DH had an add AU, get 20K MR offer so the final $2K went on DD's new Amex Plat AU
cost- $175 (AU fee) + $57 (processor fee) =$232
valuation 22K MRs $275 (CS) or $440 (my valuation)
total value $43 (CS) or $208 (my valuation)
Overall, I assess my value from paying tuition with credit cards (all American Express) as $2820.50, which doesn't include the credits from Amex nor the value of lounge access for DD when flying to and from university.
DH's MR stash is now fattened up by 194.5K MRs (and mine all of 6K lol).
Clearly, others might value Amex MRs much less at the cash out (without CS) value of 0.7 cpp, or the future CS cash out of 1.1 cpp. This is why our hobby is so fun-it has so many different options! If I were under 5/24, I might have done a Chase CIU/CIC double dip for the first $15K and earned URs v. MRs. Or, I might have combined MR and Chase (or Citi or BoA) cards.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my numbers since I know that processing fees often put people off of charging large amounts and wanted to show how it's more than worth it for me, at this stage of my life anyway.
Goes to show it pays to keep checking!
It’s approved quickly
We had DD & her DH over for dinner a few weeks ago and she gave a flimsy excuse as to why she was not drinking. We figured she was expecting but not ready to announce it. (We were right). She's only 8 weeks so not going on Facebook or anything, but I don't know any of you IRL. Anticipation of grandchildren is why we relocated this spring. Yay! 
