Associate’s Degree

Types of Degrees – Earning Your Associate’s Degree

Whether you are a recent high school graduate or currently employed, you have found this website because you are thinking about furthering (or starting) your career by earning a college degree…Smart choice! Whether you are thinking about online college courses or a more traditional educational setting, a degree program can open doors of opportunity not available to others.

Is Earning an Associate Degree Right for You?

When deciding on a specific college degree, such as a Bachelor’s as opposed to an Associate Degree, there are a few things to keep in mind that can bring clarity to your decision.

  • An Associate Degree involves approximately two-years of traditional or online college courses which will be specific to the field you want to pursue. The benefit of an Associate degree over any other college degree is the fact that you can earn this degree in about half the time as a Bachelor’s Degree.  This can be a huge benefit, since it can place you in your chosen profession in less time and with less cost involved.

So, what are the other benefits? What about earning potential? Will you be settling for a much lower rate of pay by choosing an Associate Degree?

  • According to 2009′s reports from Payscale.com, here’s the salary breakdown when you compare Associate’s Degree vs. Bachelor’s Degree earnings: After one year of employment experience, individuals with an Associate’s Degree earned an average annual salary of $36,000. Those with a Bachelor’s Degree earned an average of $40,000. With just a $4,000 per year average difference, earning your degree in half the time can be an attractive alternative to a four year degree.

What is the average cost of an Associate’s Degree compared to a Bachelor’s Degree?

  • Another important factor when deciding on your college courses is the cost involved with each degree. An Associate’s degree will cost an average of $2,000 – $2,500 to complete while a Bachelor’s degree will cost you an average of $7,000. Of course, federal grants and student’s loans can lighten your financial burden, but it’s still important to keep these factors in mind.

Additional Considerations When Deciding on an Associate’s Degree

Probably the most attractive benefit of earning an Associate’s Degree is the fact that for most areas of study, your Associate Degree can be used if you decide to take online college courses to earn your Bachelor’s Degree.

This can be an excellent three step plan of action:

  • Earn your Associate’s Degree
  • Begin your career
  • Return to college through online college courses and earn your Bachelor’s Degree

The fact that you have the option to take online college courses through numerous colleges now is a huge benefit to individuals with family obligations or who need to enter the work force quickly. Juggling a career and taking online college courses isn’t as difficult as you may think. Colleges that offer online courses have specifically designed these programs with the adult student in mind. You’ll be able to work at your own pace and fit your college coursework into your existing life schedule.

With all of the options available, is it any surprise that Associate’s Degree programs have become an increasingly attractive option for career minded students?

If you are ready to begin your college education and earn your Associate’s Degree, check out the rest of our website for more information.