Finale is a pricey program, at hundreds of US dollars, even with an educational discount. Frequent updates of several more hundreds add substantially to the investment.

Some users will find less expensive music notation programs suitable. Coda's Encore program, a scaled-down version of Finale, may satisfy some. MusicPrinter Plus is still available, if I'm not mistaken, as are QuickScore, Copyist, MusicEdit ($79), Music Write 2000 ($179), Music Write ($19.95), Music Write Plus ($49.95), and others [all prices in US$]. Check your local music dealer for other options.