Adobe switched their software options to a "cloud" based system in that you license monthly rather than purchasing a new software version every couple years, and you always have access to the latest software.
They do offer a student pricing option, and having the full package offers some good opportunities to learn multiple applications. I tend to use Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator together to create a project, as a designer.
I have the old software that I purchased before the cloud switch, however, since I'm not full-time any more and can't justify the monthly expense. As someone who has used their software for over twenty years, I don't like the new pricing plan, because I used to budget upgrade package price skipping a generation, and the monthly/yearly is more expensive per year.
But it is industry standard software and good to know how to use, so student pricing affords a great opportunity to learn and do tutorials. There are a number of other pretty sweet and high quality programs out there for less money to purchase now, too.
