More than half of high school graduates in America go on to earn at least a two-year college degree. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that lifetime earnings for someone who spends just two years in pursuit of higher education outstrip earnings for a typical high school graduate on average by 250,000 dollars. Figures like these support the conclusion that not everyone hungry for higher learning needs to sign up for a four-year course of study at a college or university. High school grads can earn a two-year Associate Degree from their local community college, junior college, technical school or online university.



The Associate Degree's extra earning power dovetails with what is now a three-tiered earning hierarchy in many professional fields. In this model, different levels of learning are required to perform jobs with different levels of specialization. Within any career field, job seekers will find jobs requiring different degrees: a multi-year graduate degree, a four-year Bachelors degree, or in many cases just two years of specialized training culminating in an Associate Degree.

The health-care field illustrates this trend well. Top wage earners in this field medical researchers and doctors, for example require much more than four years of college or university work. Those holding second level jobs in the medical or health-care field an occupational therapist or health-services manager, for example must have a four-year college degree. But high school grads willing to put in just two years of study to earn an Associate Degree will also find lots of good-paying third level job opportunities in the medical and health-care job market. Job examples include dental hygienist, occupational therapy assistant or registered nurse.

While health care illustrates the many career opportunities eager to welcome two-year college grads, it is not the only job sector where graduates can look forward to earning better-than-average pay. Depending on the kind of degree there are two basic types of Associate Degree with specific degrees ranging from the Associate in Nursing degree to the Associate of Applied Science degree grads can find work in many high-paying professions. Job titles may include computer technician, surveyor, car mechanic, water-treatment plant operator or physical therapy assistant.

In addition to the prospect for a respected career path with a well-paid job, there are good secondary grounds for considering a two-year degree program. In most cases, high school graduates can get their degree locally at a conveniently located community college, junior college or technical school. In addition to saving on living expenses, they also reap the benefits of the traditionally lower tuition fees at community colleges or local technical schools.

For those who want to continue to work full-time and get their Associate Degree in their free time, distance learning may be an option worthy of a second look especially for working adults. Dozens of the America's leading online universities offer Associate Degree programs in addition to their traditional four-year degrees. One place to begin researching this option is the nations biggest online university, the University of Phoenix Online. The University of Phoenix Online offers several Associate Degree programs through its sister organization, Axia College of University of Phoenix. Youll find links to help you explore this option in the resource box below.