If you take a class you might be able to get the student versions which are cheaper. Also, Premiere has a home version as well which is MUCH cheaper and still does the job. Even as a pro, I started off using home versions until I really learned the software and eventually found myself needing the additional functionality of the "Pro" versions but to start out I recommend the home version, and you'll save a bunch of money too. AF, to the best of my knowledge, doesn't have a home version so you're stuck paying full price on that one unless you get a student discount. I am not a huge fan of cloud software and monthly subscriptions but if you do the math, at $50 per month, that's about 2 whole years worth just to pay off AF, so it could be a good deal and cheap, plus you would get the updates. The downside is after 3 or 4 years you can't continue to pay or something and you have nothing on your PC to show for it. Also, you need to make sure you have a good strong reliable internet connection since when it goes down you're out of business...