Are you looking for a good career that pays well, but afraid you will not be able to pay for a
four-year degree? Or do you not want to spend that much time in school? Although college is the
best choice for some students, many careers only require two years of education and career
training beyond high school. Depending on what field you choose, an associate degree might pay
very well.
Attending a community college or career/technical college can be cost-effective and can lead to a
well-paying career, especially in technical fields. More students are choosing to enroll in two-
year institutions, developing important skills in their field.
Although early career earnings can be higher with an associate’s degree, those with bachelor’s
degrees tend to have higher lifetime earnings. However, Forbes says that 28 percent of workers
with associate’s degrees ultimately outearned those with a bachelor’s degree. Generally
speaking, the more education you have, the more money you can earn; but there are exceptions.
Some majors pay higher than others. While an associate’s degree in Management Information
Systems pays $45,100 per year early in one’s career, and $72,100 at mid-career, an associate’s
degree in Early Childhood Education only pays $23,100 – at mid-career! (A bachelor’s degree in
Early Childhood Education pays $38,000 at mid-career, but also is much more expensive than a
two-year degree.)
Other associate’s degree programs that pay very well include Construction Management,
Economics, Engineering and Health fields, and Computer Science.
READERS, what do you think?
1. Do you know yet what you want to do for a career? If so, how much education and training does it require?
2. How important is a higher paycheck to you? Are you making your education and training
choices based on how much you can earn, or on other factors such as interest in a certain field or type of work?
References:
Henderson, J. M. (2012, December 31). Forget Four More Years: Why Community College
Could Be Your Ticket to Financial Success. Forbes. Retrieved September 2, 2015, from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2012/12/31/forget-four-more-years-why-
community-college-could-be-your-ticket-to-financial-success/
Highest Paying Associate Degrees by Salary Potential. (2015). PayScale. Retrieved September 3,
2015, from http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/majors-that-pay-you-back
/associate.
