Education For Success
Two Year College Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Two Year College. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Associate Degree Vs. Bachelor Degree
from: Kyle BesserThere really are few ways to compare a two-year education with a four-year education that would be fair to either degree program. The truth of the matter is that both are excellent for certain situations while both also offer limitations. When it comes to pros and cons, they both have their own set of both.
Associate's Degrees Pros
When considering a two year college program, there are several things to consider in its favor before you decide. The degree or certification you would receive at the end of your two year college studies wouldn't necessarily be the end of your education. Two-year college degrees are excellent starting points for four year college degrees. Two-year college degrees allow you the option to venture out into the workplace with your skills and knowledge and give you greater earning potential than just a high school diploma. You will also have the benefit of entering the workplace sooner with an associate's degree than with a bachelor's degree. Most importantly for those who are limited by budgets, two year colleges offer an affordable alternative for a college education or even the first two years of your education.
Associate's Degrees Cons
The biggest con that most people find when it comes to two year college degrees is the growing competition for limited jobs. It is difficult to remain competitive in any industry when there are more and more people entering the work force with bachelor's degrees. It is simply more difficult to maintain a competitive edge with only a two-year degree, though it is not impossible. The other obvious con when it comes to two year college degrees is that some positions will not even consider anyone with less than a four year degree.
Bachelor's Degree Pros
A bachelor's degree will give you far greater earning potential in your lifetime than a high school education and even a two year college degree. A bachelor's degree will also place you in a position of serious competition within your chosen field or industry. You will often be given preference when seeking jobs over those who do not have degrees or those with lesser degrees, regardless of experience. There is also the personal confidence that goes along with earning your degree. You will find that you are much more confident on both a personal and a professional level once you have earned a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's Degree Cons
The single largest con associated with a bachelor's degree is the expense, both in terms of time and money. You should be certain that you are both willing and able to pay the price before setting out to get a bachelor's degree.
Either a two year degree or a four year degree is in your personal best interest. You can start with the two year degree and eventually seek a four year degree as this will give you a competitive edge. If a two year degree is all you can manage, even the smallest improvement in your education level can mean big gains over the course of your lifetime in earning power.
Sometimes it helps to improve your education in steps. Take one class at a time until you have your associate's degree, and then do the same until you have your bachelor's degree.
Related Articles for Two Year College
Education Online News
After 40 years, OCC brings graduation back to campus
The two-year college awarded 1,638 degrees this year.
Read more...College notes
Benedict College recently received two federal grants totaling $3.4 million over a five-year period from the U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Bound program, which aims to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students who complete high school and college.
Read more...College summer vacation affects local businesses
It's a busy time of year for people in St. Lawrence County as college graduations bring families to the area. Hotels are packed and local restaurants and stores are seeing a rise in walk-in customers. But is this weekend just one last big hoorah before the college students leave and businesses feel the pain? Our Cara Thomas tells us it depends on who you ask.
Read more...Cuesta College's Kelsey seeks two titles at state track meet
At last week’s year-end athletics awards banquet for the college, Cuesta track and field
Read more...