Follow Us:
 
Bankrate.com
Bankrate Mobile Site

smart spending

Associate degree jobs that pay well

Fast track to good-paying jobs
Next
1 of 13
Fast track to good-paying jobs

Conventional wisdom says that the higher your degree, the higher your salary. A study by the College Board shows that the median salary of a worker holding a bachelor's degree is more than $20,000 higher than the salary of a high school graduate.

While four-year college grads earn 66 percent more than the average high school grad, those with two-year degrees could be catching up. According to a report by the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program, a nonprofit dedicated to state education and job training research, associate degree and certificate grads in certain fields landed higher starting salaries than the state's four-year public college grads.

According to the College Board, the median education debt for two-year degree holders was $7,130 in 2008 -- the most recent year for which statistics are available. This compares to an average of $24,000 in student loan debt for those who completed bachelor's degrees in 2009, according to the Project on Student Debt.

With more years in the workforce and far less student debt to deal with, two-year grads can come out with a higher lifetime worth than their four-year counterparts. Check out these 11 jobs that provide four-year degree pay and benefits without requiring a bachelor's degree.


 

 

advertisement

Compare Rates
advertisement
Celebrity Money
Pub restaurantsmart spending

Night on the town

City life is expensive. Find out how to have a fun night on the town without spending a lot.

advertisement
Share your tip to win $100Smart Spending
Are you a champ at cutting costs? Enter your tip in our Frugal $ense contest to be eligible to win $100. There’s a new winner every month.
Is your money safe?
or ? See your bank, thrift or credit union's star rating. Find one that's safe enough for you.
Partner Center
advertisement
Bankrate on Facebook