When it comes to hiring, advanced educational achievement matters. According to U.S. Department of Commerce data, 87 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds with a bachelor’s or higher degree were employed in 2022. The employment rate for high school graduates in that age group dropped to 73 percent, while only 60 percent of those without a high school diploma held jobs.
In today’s service-oriented information-age job market, employers seek candidates with the training and skills a postsecondary degree provides. In a recent survey by Intelligent.com, 95 percent of respondents said their companies required bachelor’s degrees for at least some roles. Those jobs typically pay well; workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median weekly income of $1,432, 40 percent more than workers with an associate’s degree ($1,005), 67 percent more than the average weekly pay for high school graduates ($853), and more than twice the amount those who did not complete high school earned ($682).
Higher education improves your chances of finding a job and broadens your options for advancement. If you’re considering postsecondary education, you may wonder about the relative returns on an associate degree vs. a bachelor’s degree. This article compares the career outcomes of these degree types. It also discusses how an online bachelor’s completion program, like the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs (BAIP) from the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville, can help you bridge the gap between your associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Tennessee
Bolster Your Employment Prospects and Earning Power
The Value of Higher Education in 2024
Recent reporting indicates that some employers are dropping college degree requirements from job descriptions. That doesn’t mean standards are lowering; instead, it suggests that some employers plan to focus more on specific skills than credentials. Those skills typically coincide with skills acquired through postsecondary education.
A study by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) found that eight in ten employers agree—either strongly or somewhat—that higher education prepares graduates to succeed in the workforce and that getting a college degree is worthwhile despite the cost. News reports notwithstanding, employers value a college education alongside other indicators of advanced skills and expertise.
In addition to the knowledge and experience gained in their field of study, university and college students develop soft skills that are increasingly in demand. According to the AAC&U survey, 80 percent of employers indicated that communication, adaptability, teamwork, and critical thinking are “very important” in identifying strong job candidates. Completing a degree at any level also provides an opportunity for personal development, leaving you with a sense of achievement and increased confidence upon graduation.
Associate Degree vs. Bachelor’s Degree: How the Two Compare
Associate and bachelor’s degrees are undergraduate credentials open to students with a high school diploma. To decide which would be better for you, consider your personal, professional, and financial goals and these critical differences between the two degrees:
- Duration: Most full-time associate degrees take two years to complete, while full-time bachelor’s degree programs take four years.
- Degree focus: Associate degrees generally provide students with foundational knowledge in a specific area to help them qualify for entry-level positions. Bachelor’s degree programs typically provide students a more in-depth understanding of their study area. Some bachelor’s programs offer specialized elective options, enabling students to develop a field of expertise.
- Financial commitment: Associate degree programs take less time than bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, most students earn associate degrees at community colleges, where tuition is relatively low. Students in bachelor’s programs usually enjoy more scholarship and tuition reimbursement options, including possible access to employer tuition assistance programs.
- Educational institution: Associate degrees are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges, and some four-year colleges and universities. Only colleges and universities can award bachelor’s degrees. Irrespective of your degree option, ensure you study at an accredited and reputable institution.
Associate and bachelor’s degrees lead to different career options and financial outcomes, discussed in more detail below.
Associate Degree Career Outcomes
Earning an associate degree can improve your employment prospects. Associate degrees can focus intensely on one subject in such popular fields as nursing, engineering, technology, and computer programming, where employers seek workers with the skills to “hit the ground running.” According to the American Association of Community Colleges, some large companies target community college graduates to advance their workforce.
An associate degree will also increase your earning potential. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with an associate degree earn 18 percent more, on average, than their counterparts who only have high school diplomas.
Bachelor’s Degree Job Opportunities
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that employees with bachelor’s degrees earn around 40 percent more than those with an associate degree. The unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders, at 2.2 percent, is also lower than for associate degree holders (2.7 percent) and individuals with only a high school diploma (4 percent).
Degree programs with a longer runway to completion—like a bachelor’s program—offers students more time to network with faculty and peers, which can produce positive career outcomes. Finally, a four-year degree can qualify you for additional advanced degree programs (like a master’s), which, upon completion, will boost your earning potential even further.
Considerations for Prospective Bachelor’s Degree Students
While there are many advantages to earning a bachelor’s degree, consider the following before committing to a specific program:
- Degree modality: Are classes taught in person, requiring you to travel to campus, or can you study online? Online programs, like UT’s BAIP, allow you to learn from anywhere through a blend of live synchronous lectures and independent readings, assignments, and video modules.
- Flexibility in pace: Is the degree program full-time, or are part-time options also available? Studying part-time is a great way to earn your degree without putting work and personal commitments on hold.
- Transfer of credits: If you already have an associate degree or have completed some university credits, look for a program that allows you to transfer your existing credits (accelerating progress toward your bachelor’s). UT’s BAIP allows to transfer up to 60 credit hours.
- Financial investment: Look into what the degree program will cost and the available financial aid options.
Complete Your Bachelor’s Degree Online at UT
UT’s 100 percent online BAIP program provides a bachelor’s degree pathway for adult learners with at least 60 postsecondary credit hours. The program allows you to develop a specialization that aligns with your professional goals through two specializations: Public Policy & Administration for students interested in policy, public administration, or not-for-profit work, and Cultures & Societies for those more keen on the humanities.
If you’re ready to take the next step towards earning your bachelor’s degree, contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the UT BAIP program or start your application today.