In a turbulent economic market where fewer job opportunities are available to an ever-increasing pool of applicants, there are many benefits and cost-savings of a two-year degree over a traditional four-year education. The job market is affected by numerous factors, including inflation, global politics, outsourcing, and number of applicants in the workforce.

When hiring in such a touch-and-go economy where so many people are applying for fewer positions, employers are shifting their attention from job seekers with broad four-year degrees to applicants with relevant skills and specific qualifications from an accredited college. The targeted career training you can get with a two-year degree can put you at an advantage when applying for positions that require a specific skill set. Here are some more reasons why students should consider beginning their education with a two-year degree:

Cost of Education

According to The College Board, the average cost of education (including tuition and fees) at a two-year college is $2,544, compared to a public four-year college which can average $7,020 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students and a hefty $11,528 for out-of-state students. Private four-year colleges are even steeper with $26,273 per year in average tuition and fees. When you consider these costs against the time it can take to find a job after school, all while paying back student loans, it’s clear a considerably lower priced two-year school can save you money that may come in handy later on.

Specific Skill-Set

Four-year institutions offer degrees in intangible subjects like philosophy, cultural studies or English, which can be difficult for employers to quantify. Alternatively, most two-year institutions offer specific trade and vocational classes that teach students a useable skill.

Connection to Local Industries

Two-year schools are often closely linked with local employers, so students are able to find classes that cater to the jobs and industries they’ll be applying for out of school. Two-year students also focus heavily on apprenticeships and internships which afford them valuable connections they can use when they graduate.

Boast Your GPA

Many students with faltering high school GPAs use two-year institutions as a jumping off point for their education before they begin studying at a four-year institution. Two-year programs offer all the necessary pre-requisite classes with easily transferrable credits to boast your success-rate and speed up your education at a four-year college. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, 46 percent of all college students begin their education at a two-year college.

Top Jobs in Burgeoning Markets

Think the job market only caters to applicants with four-year degrees? Think again. Careers in rapidly growing industries are now available to students with only a two-year education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job seekers can make a median annual wage of $77,010 as a computer specialist, $67,340 as a dental hygienist, or $42,350 as an environmental engineering technician. These are all jobs in expanding, exciting industries that require only a two-year degree.

Before you choose a college education, make sure you really evaluate your situation and weigh the financial and occupational costs of a two-year degree. You may find it’s all you need to succeed in today’s job market and set you on the path to an exciting, fulfilling career.

Author Bio: Kelli Smith writes about colleges and universities, community colleges, online schools, and career development. She is the senior editor at www.CollegesandUniversities.org.

Category: Education
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