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The Benefits of Earning An Associate Degree… Fully Online!

December 29, 2025

Going back to college (or going for the first time) to earn a four year degree, even earning a four-year degree online, might not be for you.

Even though you may know the benefits of earning a degree, like the potential to land a better job, the increase in pay you could potentially earn over your lifetime, and the possibility of being “qualified” to get a promotion at your current job…

You just might not have the time, or the money to make it happen.

But, did you know that by earning an associate degree online, you could potentially land a better job, potentially increase your average lifetime earnings and possibly be more “qualified” to get a promotion…

All without having to take four years of your life to get there?

It’s true. Today, with the advent of online college, you may have the opportunity to earn an associate degree in far less time than the traditional way, and at a lower cost than attending school in-person.

Today, School Match Pro will show you some of the benefits of earning your associate degree online.

So, let’s start with what might matter most to you, salary potential.

You see, the average associate degree holder makes about $8,000 a year MORE than someone who has only a high school diploma.

Over the course of your lifetime, that could really add up.

What’s better, by attending college fully online you could be saving an average of between $6k and $10k a year in on-campus “room and board” fees alone!

Not to mention, many online college credits cost less than in-person college credits.

So, overall, online college is often much more affordable than in-person college…

And by going to college online to earn your associate degree, you can probably continue to keep working too. Meaning you could earn as you learn.

Now, factor in time and you’ll see that the average associate degree takes about two years to complete (half the time of a bachelor’s degree).

However, with online college, you could have the opportunity to complete your course work faster… or slower, depending on YOUR timeline.

This means that you could take that degree into the workforce faster than a bachelor’s degree student who started at the same time as you.

Many careers that may be accessible with an associate degree or related training offer strong earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, examples include:

• Calibration technologists and technicians: median annual pay of $65,040.
• Electrical and electronics drafters: median annual pay of about $71,000.
• Avionics technicians: median annual pay of about $80,000.
• Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers: median annual pay of about $67,000.
• Hydrologic technicians: median annual pay of about $59,000.
• Funeral home managers: median annual pay of about $80,000.
• Cardiovascular technologists and technicians: median annual pay of about $68,000.
• Physical therapist assistants: median annual pay of about $65,000.
• Electro-mechanical technicians: median annual pay of about $67,000.
• Radiologic technologists and technicians: median annual pay of about $77,000.
• Radiation therapists: median annual pay of about $101,000.
• Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians: median annual pay of $68,730.
• Respiratory therapists: median annual pay of about $80,000.
• Occupational therapy assistants: median annual pay of about $68,000.
• MRI technologists: median annual pay of about $87,000.
• Dental hygienists: median annual pay of about $94,000.
• Architectural and civil drafters: median annual pay of about $67,000.
• Air traffic controllers: median annual pay of about $145,000.
Salary data is based on information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), part of the U.S. Department of Labor. Actual earnings may vary based on location, experience, education, and employer.

…. And there’s a whole lot more!

So, if you don’t have the time to enroll in a four-year program, perhaps you should consider earning your associate degree fully online.

And SchoolMatchPro.com is here to help.

Simply click “Begin Your Search Now” on our homepage and it’s off to the races!

*Disclosure

School Match Pro is an educational consumer information source connecting students with programs, we do not provide direct educational services. School Match Pro is not responsible for education program content or for third party referral sources directed to School Match Pro or related pages. Educational program options vary. Programs may not be accelerated, available in all locations, or available both online and at on-campus locations. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify including grants, scholarships, and other programs. Financial aid and grants are provided directly to educational programs, not to students, unless otherwise noted. To receive financial aid and grants students must submit applications and be accepted to educational programs for which aid will be used. Employment is not implied nor guaranteed, and each program length and curriculum will vary based on the institution you select. School Match Pro offers information, ratings, and recommendations of colleges and universities at no cost to the consumer. School Match Pro receives referral, promotional, and/or advertising revenue from some of the schools that we review.

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