As the current job market grows more and more competitive, you—along with many other high school graduates and working professionals—may be seeking ways to boost your marketability and find a career path that leads you to fulfilling work and a steady income.
To reach these goals, you may find yourself asking, "What is the value of an associate degree?" And, “Can it really impact my career prospects?” These questions may be fueled by common misconceptions that associate degrees do not yield the same educational outcomes as bachelor’s degrees, or that they do not lead to stable, well-paid employment. However, these ideas are not true. Associate degrees provide significant value—financially, academically, and professionally—and typically deliver a great return on investment.
Should you pursue an associate degree? Keep reading to learn more about how it can help you build a brighter professional future.
An associate degree is a post-secondary, undergraduate degree you can earn at a community college, technical or trade school, and some four-year universities. Although it depends on the degree program and institution, earning an associate degree usually requires you to complete 60-70 semester credits of coursework, including labs or clinical practicums depending on your major.
While pursuing a bachelor’s degree may take four to five years, earning an associate degree generally takes two years. Many students find the shorter completion time beneficial because it empowers them to join the workforce and start earning an income sooner.
A two-year completion time depends on whether you enroll full-time or part-time. If you enroll part-time, then expect your degree to take a bit longer.
Want to see what types of careers require an associate degree? Use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupation Finder to determine what professional roles you can pursue, as well as the expected employment rates and median salaries.
Community colleges often offer a similar range of subjects to universities, allowing you to enroll in all sorts of courses and work toward a degree that aligns with your interests and goals.
At NCC, we offer various educational paths to help you bridge your passions and goals.
If you want to become a business owner or work in the thriving hospitality sector, enrolling in an associate degree program offers a comprehensive education for your professional future. Programs can range from accounting to business administration to culinary arts, helping you develop highly transferable competencies like financial management techniques, marketing strategies, and robust communication. You also develop more specialized expertise that relates to your selected major. Equipped with these skills, you can tackle a variety of entry-level jobs in the business world.
Whether you decide on a career in information technology, health sciences, or engineering, an associate degree in a STEM field typically serves as a stepping stone for more advanced educational pursuits. These programs also play a formative role in exposing you to complex concepts, establishing a strong foundation in fundamental critical thinking and analytical skills, and helping you explore what field suits you best.
If you are interested in a healthcare career, you can pursue training to become a dental hygienist, medical assistant, or emergency services worker, such as an EMT. Other popular degree options include nursing, respiratory care, diagnostic medical sonography, and radiography. Healthcare-focused degree programs often include a mixture of traditional coursework, labs, and clinical rotations, ensuring you develop a well-rounded skill set. Prior to entering the workforce, you may need to complete additional certifications or licensures. However, an accredited degree program typically equips you with the competencies and knowledge to obtain these credentials.
Associate degree programs can be a favorable choice if you want to pursue a job in the skilled trades, such as becoming an electrician, welder, or HVAC/R technician, especially since traditional, four-year universities typically do not offer these types of programs. These professional paths boast impressive employment rates ranging from 9% to 11%, ensuring you graduate into a career landscape with many opportunities.
If you recently graduated from high school or are a working professional who has not completed a postsecondary degree, taking the next step toward earning an associate degree can boost your average salary.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that those with an associate degree typically earn 18% more than those with a high school diploma. Additionally, the BLS notes that individuals with an associate degree have an average unemployment rate of 2.7%, which is 1.2% lower than workers with a high school diploma. Taking this data into account, an associate degree can help you secure higher salaries and steadier employment.
Because they require fewer credit hours and generally have lower tuition rates, a community college can be the most affordable investment in your education and career. The NCES reported that in the 2022-2023 academic year, the average tuition and fees for a public, four-year institution were $9,800. Attending a private for-profit or nonprofit university could drive the tuition rates up to $18,200 and $40,700, respectively. Meanwhile, the tuition and fees for attending a two-year public institution were $4,000.
Enrolling in an associate program also streamlines your education and allows you to gain the essential skills and knowledge needed to break into the workforce sooner. This means you can spend less time in the classroom and more time acquiring firsthand experience in your career field, building up your résumé and professional network, and generating income.
An associate degree can serve as a launching pad for your future academic and career endeavors. Many times, the credits you earn at a community college can transfer to a four-year college or university, serving as prerequisites or helping you progress toward a related bachelor’s degree. With the versatility of these transferable credits, you save valuable time and money and advance your education more efficiently.
NCC’s dual enrollment student, Jack Wagenheim, earned an associate degree at the age of 15 and successfully transferred to Moravian University for a bachelor’s! Want to accelerate your future like Jack? Read his story.
Since 1967, Northampton Community College (NCC) has been committed to providing high-quality, accessible, immersive education. Through this dedication, we help our students and communities thrive.
NCC offers more than 120 associate degree, certificate and specialized diploma programs, ranging from applied psychology to veterinary technician, so you can discover the academic program that sparks your interest and fuels your future career. With immersive learning experiences and personalized faculty support, you gain in-demand skills and expertise and experience professional development.
Ready to reach your potential? Take the next step and review NCC's enrollment checklist to begin preparing!
Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
610.861.5300
