Online Associate Degrees

An associate degree usually takes two years to complete, and can be earned at community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and some colleges that grant bachelor's degrees. Online associate degrees are widely available and, as long as earned at accredited schools, offer the same credentials as on-campus programs do. Whether through on-campus or online colleges, associate degrees can help you to find better-paying and more satisfying work without having to commit many years of study.

Associate Degrees & Career Earnings

Those who earn associate degrees tend to make more money and suffer less unemployment than do non-degree holders, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consider these statistics concerning 2009 median weekly earnings and unemployment by degree:

• Less than high school diploma: 14.6% unemployment; $454/week
• High school diploma: 9.7% unemployment; $626/week
• Associate degree: 6.8% unemployment; $761/week

Associate degrees can be used to begin careers, for example, as an x-ray technician or nurse, or can be transferred to bachelor degree programs to further enhance career opportunities.