Is an associate degree worth it? This is one question high school graduates ask.
Well, with the rising cost of education today many people are looking into affordable ways to get a college degree.
You can get into debt when pursuing a four-year degree if you don’t get any grant or scholarship while in school. This is why many high school graduates have chosen to take an associate degree in different fields of study.
However, keep reading this post and find out if getting an associate degree is worth it.
What Is The Worth Of An Associate Degree?
As stated earlier more students are looking for affordable degrees and an associate degree is their best bet.
An associate degree is more important for students who are working with a tight budget and are looking to explore other scholastic and professional fields of study.
This degree is usually known as a two-year degree and many universities are famous for taking up associate degrees.
Earning an associate degree is one of the best ways to get a successful career while saving money and time.
Another good thing about an associate degree is that you can always further your studies while working.
Why Should You Earn An Associate Degree?
Earning an associate degree in any field of study has so many advantages and these benefits spread across one’s budget, scholastic and professional ambitions.
Getting an associate degree also opens up new opportunities for high-paying jobs.
To help you in answering the question “is an associate degree worth it” we have prepared some information below that explains the advantages of an associate degree.
1. Transferrable School Credits
Associate degree holders have the opportunity of furthering their program by taking up a bachelor’s degree from any school of their choice.
One of the reasons for enrolling in an associate degree program is that the completed credits in an associate degree can be credited when taking a bachelor’s degree program.
Because of your transferred credits from your associate degree program, you might not spend four years in school.
This can also work for college dropouts who already have some form of college education and would want to conclude their studies.
2. Affordable Option
There is a lot of difference between the tuition of an associate degree program and a bachelor’s degree program.
If the cost of feeding, accommodation, transportation, and everyday student life is calculated, a bachelor’s degree program would cost about $ 32,000 annually. This is more than double the minimum cost of an associate degree.
3. Graduate Faster
Students who are taking up an associate degree would spend just two years in school; this allows them to get a job or start a business faster.
An associate degree gives save you the time and money needed to start your career. It is half the time it takes other students to a bachelor’s degree program.
4. Plenty Of Career Opportunities
Most jobs these days require a minimum of a college degree and it comes with a sizable income.
This means associate degree holders have more time and opportunity to search for high-paying job offers than those who are still running a bachelor’s degree program.
In addition, most associate degree programs teach people how to scout for and perform their future jobs, thus giving them more advantage than those who just completed a certificate course.
Research has shown that the number of associate degree holders who are employed is higher than those with a certificate program, high school diploma, some college education, and high school certificate
5. High Income
When you have access to more career opportunities you would also have unlimited access to high-paying jobs.
There are so many high-paying jobs that are available for those with an associate degree. The weekly earnings of an associate degree holder sum up to $1000.
This earning is higher than those who just finished a certificate program, a high school diploma, or those with a high school certificate.
The earnings are far better if we concentrate more on in-demand associate degree occupations.
What Is The Cost Of An Associate Degree?
As we emphasized earlier, an associate degree is much cheaper than a bachelor’s degree. It has a shorter curriculum, it’s just two years and you can just fewer resources to get any associate degree of your choice in general.
In most cases, associate degrees are always half the price of a bachelor’s degree program this is what makes them cost-effective.
Nonetheless, an associate degree from a public university is around $20,000 each year while private universities charges about $30,000 every year.
If we shud add feeding and accommodation and other living expenses the cost would be drastically high but however public universities remain cheaper.
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Associate Or Bachelor’s Degree Which Is Better?
Obtaining most degrees requires certain years of schooling which is dependent on the career path you are choosing.
For example, most professional degrees require you to further your education to the highest level you cannot simply just go to an undergraduate school.
For instance, if you are interested in being some sort of doctor you cannot simply just go to undergraduate school.
You would have to take up a master’s and Ph.D. degree, and other forms of training. Any degree you decide to go for largely influences the job you would end up getting.
There are careers where you must have completed a four-year degree in other to progress in such fields.
Ensure you properly go through the career path you wish to pursue, and get the required degree, qualifications, and training to avoid wasting your time and resources on a degree that is not required for your career path.
However, if you have gotten an associate degree and you still want to further your education, you can always go back and get any other degree of your choice.
Most associate degree students are not given on-campus accommodation because not many people enroll in an associate degree program.
Before you decide to enroll in a school make sure you look into the opportunities and benefits that are attached to a degree.
There are many counselors you can meet up with in school to put you on the right career path.
Notwithstanding this fact meeting, a counselor does not determine how successful you would be in your career they are only there to guide you. The time and money you would get to save can make up for some losses.
You can also take part in career fairs, sporting clubs, networking clubs, and many either extracurricular activities that are available in an institution.
What Jobs Are Available For An Associate Degree Holder
Most associate degree holders have access to high-paying jobs. Each kind of associate degree provides its scholars with access to a set of valuable job offers.
However, some of the popular jobs that are available for an associate degree holder are physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, ultrasound technicians, radiology technicians, dental hygienists, veterinary technicians, and legal assistants.
Let’s take a detailed look at some of the jobs that are available for an associate degree holder.
Associate Of Arts Jobs
1. Account Executive
Do you love numbers? Are you interested in finance? If Germany business-related job offers arere available for people with an associate degree.
Being employed as an account executive is one of the job offers you can get as an associate degree holder.
These sets of professionals are responsible to communicate with customers of organizations like public relations firms and other companies.
They make sure that a customer’s requests are received and attended to according to the guidelines of the company.
Accountant executives earn about $70,000
2. Social Media Manager
Technology has created so many job opportunities and one of these job opportunities is social media management.
Social media managers recommend strategies that solve customers’ issues and create awareness about a product through posts and videos on different social media platforms.
A social media manager earns $50,938 annually.
3. Web Designer
These professionals create beautiful design layouts of web portals these designs make a website look good.
Web designers also design sample pages and create mockups, work with adobe programs to create visuals, graphics, or animations, register web domains, organize files and collaborate with writers and designers to create a site.
As a web designer, you must be able to manage your time effectively to keep multiple tasks moving because you might be required to work with different companies at once.
Furthermore, A web designer must speak with a client and know what they want, ask questions about the intended audience, and convey their ideas for an effective site.
Firms are searching for responsible designers who are ready to keep their clients informed, explain issues and discuss deadlines.
Web designers earn about $50,000 every year.
4. Fashion Buyer
Earning an associate degree in fashion merchandising is one of the best careers in the fashion industry.
You are charged with the responsibility of selecting the latest pieces of fashionable items which are used in fashion shows. This process requires a combination of skill sets to be successful.
A fashion buyer is given the responsibility of choosing items that are kept in stock at a store. They checkmate customers’ orders and the volumes of the orders that are kept at the store.
They also determine what would be sold in stores to generate huge profits. As a fashion buyer, you must have the ability to critically analyze customers buying patterns and predict future trends.
Furthermore, you decide which mix of rands to buy you must critically analyze what your clients are searching for.
Apart from managing strong relationships with top fashion brands, fashion buyers constantly stay on the lookout for new fashion brands and designers.
They are also responsible for scouting for fabrics, materials, and brands. Fashion buyers also decide on collections that can determine how profitable they would be in the fashion industry.
Fashion buyers earn about $67000 every year.
5. Paralegal
These professionals offer assistance to attorneys in many fields their responsibilities include the preparation for trials, hearings, and clients meeting.
They also arrange legal documents and conduct factual and legal research on different court cases.
This showcases the responsibilities these professionals accomplish. Paralegals earn about $50000 every year.
Associate Of Science Jobs
1. Cardiovascular Technologist
These technologists have a huge variety of skills that they use in applying to different areas of cardiology.
They perform tests on patients and control equipment like defibrillators, electrocardiograms, and pacemakers.
These medical professionals also work with doctors in treating and diagnosing patients with heart conditions.
A cardiovascular technologist earns about $62,638 every year.
2. Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technician
Do you love planes? If yes, why not take an associate degree in aerospace engineering?
Aerospace engineers are charged with the responsibility of making sure that aircraft and spacecraft are in a good condition to operate.
They maintain and install equipment that is used in making sure that everything is working well on a plan at an optimum level.
Besides the external parts of a plane, these professionals also maintain the operation of internal computer systems in an airport.
An Aerospace engineer earns about $70,570 every year.
Associate Of Applied Science Jobs
1. Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are licensed oral practitioners that work together with dentists to provide excellent care to patients.
With compassion and patience, they assist dentists in ensuring that patients establish excellent oral habits.
As a hygienist, you must build relationships with patients and play an important role in welcoming young and scared patients. They help in making dental visits less stressful for kids.
Furthermore, they are mostly involved in routine checkups. Patients spend more time with them than dentists because whenever they come for checkups the hygienist is always the first person that attends to them.
Dental hygienists are people persons. They understand that some patients can get scared during their dental visits.
This is why they are skilled in ensuring that patients remain calm during their visit to the tooth doctor. They are also great listeners and respond to the patient’s every need.
A dental hygienist earns about 80,990 every year.
2. Registered Nurse
Taking an associate degree in nursing is another great career that you can pursue at your degree level.
Registered nurses assist medical practitioners in several medical procedures from observing patients to administering drugs.
They work hand in hand with physicians and they also give feedback on the recovery process of a patient. Registered nurses also supervise other nurses and hospital staff.
Furthermore, they maintain the orderliness of the hospital by creating schedules for hospital shifts, creating work policies, and ensuring other nurses comply with the rules and regulations of the hospital.
They are also in charge of hospital inventory which is the budget and supplies of the hospital especially if these supplies are related to the nursing department.
Registered nurses provide tips and information on the maintenance of human health; they also educate patients on the best treatment plans that suit their health needs.
Registered nurses earn about $76,748 every year.
3. Web Developer
A web developer is in charge of building websites for business or personal purposes. They make use of javascript, HTML, PHP, and CSS to develop a website.
Web designers earn about $73,410 every year.
4. Graphic Designers
These set of professionals are creatives who are in charge of creating visual assets for firms and organizations.
These virtual assets depend on the organization’s needs. Graphic designers create virtual assets like product packaging, marketing materials, website design, or other digital assets.
Graphic designing is also one of the high-paying jobs you can get with an associate degree. You can become a freelancer, and design graphics for companies and firms.
Furthermore, to be successful in this career, you must have the technical skills to bring designs to life with a variety of design software.
5. Software Sales Representative
These professionals are in charge of selling software solutions to companies and organizations.
These sales procedures and responsibilities differ by company and business. That is, what company A wants might not be what company B wants.
Software Sales representatives also cold-call potential clients, map out sales meetings, run those sales meetings, sell different software to firms and businesses, and close deals with clients.
Sales Representatives earn about $50,886 every year.
6. Network Engineer
A network engineer is given the role of planning, designing, building, and managing everything related to an organization’s computer network.
These technologists also manage network performance and security, maintain hardware and software, install equipment and continually modernize, enhance and optimize the network.
To be successful in this career you need to have a good understanding of IT, and computer networks. You can get these skills by enrolling in an associate degree in network engineering.
Network engineers earn about $75,000 every year.
Nonetheless, there are many jobs that you can chase with an associate degree but the jobs above are just the most popular in our society.
Ensure you look through different job offers that are available for your career path. Take a look at the universities that are offering your course, go through their requirements, their type of programs, and every other thing that can affect your schooling.
What Is The Highest Paying Associate Degree Job?
Because of differences in minimum wages, the salaries of associate degree holders vary from country to country.
Depending on where you live The salaries of majors and careers might have little differences.
Another thing you must consider when choosing an associate degree is the demand for the degree in the world field and the location of those demands.
Some countries are in desperate need of certain careers and majors while they might have more than enough in some other areas.
Another thing to take note of is the amount of tuition, accommodation, and feeding that is attached to an associate degree course in that location. These are some of the things you must consider when sending your college application.
Furthermore, ensure you research and get the best locations for your associate degree, and check out the best places that could offer you higher salaries for an associate degree program.
Presently the highest-paying associate degree course is a degree in air traffic control. An air traffic controller is expected to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a CTI program.
To be successful in this career you need to have at least 4 years of work experience in air traffic control or an associate or bachelor’s degree in air traffic control or even both.
This means that you can get a job as an air traffic controller as an associate degree holder or a bachelor’s degree holder.
As stated easier salaries differ between states and countries but an average salary of an air traffic controller is $120,000 every year.
Ensure you are up to the task because this job comes with lots of responsibilities.
So, if you are looking into enrolling for an associate degree in air traffic control, ensure that you are responsible and you can do the job because the safety of people depends on you.
Nonetheless, the first job that you get after college graduation might not pay you as expected because you need lots of training and skis outside classroom work.
What Is The Easiest Associate Degree To Get?
No degree is easy or hard; it all depends on your commitment to your studies. However, some majors have harder course loads than others.
An associate degree would not be played with. Because it’s not like high school where you can fail and still get a diploma.
You might not graduate If you don’t meet up the required GPA for an associate degree program
There are some degrees that simply just require a little more work outside of the classroom than others.
Ensure you know yourself, follow your studies, conduct research and work hard toward getting any associate degree of your choice.
However, you must understand that without time and effort you might not succeed in these careers. Here are some of the easiest associate degrees that you can pursue:
- Associate of Science in Corrections
- Associate of Science in Entrepreneurship
- Associate of Arts in Anthropology
- Associate of Arts in General Education
Many degrees are designed for different fields of study, and every person‘s passions, wants, and financial needs. Scout for the best associate degree that suits your needs and does what works best for you.
If you feel a bachelor’s degree is best for you then do so likewise an associate degree.
Ensure you are not pressured to go into an associated degree course because you can succeed no matter what type of degree or what type of college you go to or even if you don’t get at all.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Disadvantages Of An Associate Degree?
One disadvantage of getting an associate degree is the fact that you might compete with those that have a bachelor’s degree.
You might also be earning a lower bachelor’s bachelor degree holder
What 2-Year Degree Pays The Most?
Some of the associate degrees that pay the most are Electrical Engineering, Aeronautics, MRI Technology, and Radiologic Technology
Two-Year Medical Degrees That Pay The Most
Some of the associate degrees in medicine that pay the most are dental hygienist, diagnostic sonographer, medical assistant, and many more.
What Is The Highest Paying Job With Little Schooling?
Some of the highest-paying jobs with little schooling are logistic managers, funeral directors, boiler makers, and massage therapists.
What Certificate Pay The Most Without A Degree?
Some of the highest paying jobs without a college degree are emergency medical technician, railroad jobs, medical coder and criminal investigator e.t.c.
What Certificate Can I Get In 6 Weeks?
Some of the 6 Weeks courses are accounting, business, administration, computer science, and education. e.t.c
Which 6 Months Degree Is The Best?
Just as there are associate degrees, we also have some 6 Months courses and some of them are emergency medical technicians, funeral directors, brick masons, and personal firefighter fighters. E.t.c.
Conclusion
This article has shown you that an associate degree is Worth it for so many reasons.
An associate degree is important in saving your time and money.
It also gives you access to more jobs and you would have higher salaries than those with lower educational standards.
However, to know more about your options for higher education, you can stay on our page and go through our articles about different associate degrees.
