However, with the availability of online university degrees, you can set aside some of your worries. Not only does an online degree allow for flexible scheduling, you can attend class right in your own living room. Earning an online university degree does not require you to leave your job or move halfway across the country in order to achieve your educational goals.
Although online learning is easily accessible, you might still be concerned about the cost of tuition. The best way to view your online degree is as a business transaction. The first thing you should do when considering how to utilize your resources is to make sure that you will earn a decent return on your investment (ROI)—meaning that you will get back more than you put in.
Assessing an online university degree from an ROI perspective requires some research. Begin by evaluating the various levels of online degrees available and the current employment market.
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Online Bachelor’s Degrees- The online bachelor’s degree is the most widely-pursued degree-level and provides a more in-depth education than the associate’s degree. When pursing you online university degree, you should carefully explore the various schools available to ensure that you are selecting a program that will provide the most bang for your buck. According to the United States Census Bureau, earning this four-year degree nearly doubles a person’s income over the course of a lifetime.
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Online Graduate Degrees- Encompassing both master’s and doctoral degrees, online graduate programs will pick up where the bachelor’s degree leaves off. When selecting an online university degree program at the graduate level, it is essential to keep your career goals in mind. Although not required to advance your career, many individuals interested in executive, academic, and scientific positions might benefit from pursing a graduate program.
Show Me the Money
How do campus or online university degrees translate into your paycheck? According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medium weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers in 2010 broken-down by education level are as follows:
- High School Diploma/ GED- $626
- Some College or Associate’s Degree- $734
- Bachelor’s Degree- $1, 038
- Advanced Degree- $1,351
Based on these statistics, with the addition of just some college experience, an individual’s median weekly income will increase by 17%. Bachelor’s degree holders earn almost twice as much as those students who have earned only their high school diploma, and their weekly salary increases 41% from those who have earned an associate’s degree. Advanced degree holders earn the most money, at an annual median salary of $70,252.
Whether or not you determine online university degrees are a sound investment depends on your career goals and personal bottom-line. However, with careful planning and research, it is possible to see the realization of your college dreams in the place it matters the most—your paycheck. Consider exploring online university degree programs today.