The best way to talk about a subject like degree value is assessing the current job market. A degree that allows you to go into a popular field will obviously have a higher value. However, that degree may have also put you in a lot of debt to begin with, such as a law or business degree. Top grad schools can send your student loan bills up to $100,000 or more, if you go to a private school. If you can get away with getting a good job with only an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, then you’ve saved money right off the bat. It’s still important to understand job longevity and the importance of your degree level. Obviously a higher degree like a doctorate will open more doors and give you a higher earning potential in the long run. For certain fields like nursing and computer science, you may not need a master’s in order to get a lot of value from your degree. In this article, you’ll learn about a combination of factors for degree value, including which of America’s best pedigree colleges are the least expensive, online courses that lower your tuition, and degrees with the most job potential.
Obviously, if you can get a degree with a really low tuition, you’re getting the most for your money. The most important part is picking a college with a variety of degree programs and student services. This will ensure that you get the most value from your degree. Some of the top schools in the nation are also rather inexpensive, such as Brigham Young University and Berea College, ranked top least expensive and among the best college according to U.S. News & World Report. Along with that, you should also look at schools that give the most financial aid. CBS ranked 51 colleges with the best financial aid programs, including Princeton University and University of Florida. UF is also on the least expensive colleges list with an estimated tuition of $2,500 for full time per semester. The best part is most of these schools have every type of degree, from business to chemistry, computer science to fine arts.
Another way to increase your degree value is by adding classes from online colleges. You can finish your degree in less time, and in most cases, you can offset the cost of college tuition at your current school. Not only that, but there are hundreds of associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs available through accredited online universities. It is even possible to earn a graduate certificate or doctoral degree through an online university, so you do not have to enroll in university full time while you go back to school to further your career opportunities. Once you find the degree program in which you want to enroll, you can apply online in a matter of minutes. You can save time on going back and forth to school and earn a degree in less time, which only gives more value to your degree. You can get a job faster than other students and save money. If you’re worried about available programs, you can check out some of the top degrees through places like YourDegree, which has the most researched information on new degrees and colleges. Examples of the great programs that are available online include the Doctor of Education in Leadership degree, the Graduate Certificate in Health Care Ethics, the Master’s in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution and a Bachelor’s in Public Health. Your options are endless if you choose to take this direction with your education.
Finally, what are the current top rated jobs? According to U.S. News & World Report and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top five jobs through 2018 include accountants, registered nurses, computer systems analysts, social workers and dental hygienists. The best thing about these professions is that they require only a bachelor’s degree to gain an entry-level position, which means you can skip high-priced graduate school programs. Registered nurses may also only have to gain an associate’s degree, and dental hygienists may only need to go to vocational training, which also cuts down on the cost of your degree. Other fields in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professions are also in high demand. Degrees in physics, chemistry, computer science, biochemistry, engineering and business are among the top programs in the United States. You can land an amazing salary once you graduate with a degree in any of these fields, however some are more competitive. For example, you may need a master’s in business administration to work in any top company.
One other thing to remember is that a degree value is immeasurable. There are more popular professions, but that doesn’t mean a determined individual can’t make something even out of a degree with lower statistics and enrollment. You can choose a degree that matches your talents and interests and also achieve a greater degree value.
