A lot of people are sleeping on 2 year degrees from Community College

[Ezekiel 25:17]

Most of these cost about $15,000, and that's not talking about Grants or Scholarships. On top of that, you can transfer and get your Bachelor's making even more money. If you broke and need a career fast, look into your local Community College, look at the 2 year degrees they offer and look up job nature and salaries.

There's more degrees than these too.

Top 10 Highest Paying Associate's Degrees 2020

Ranking the Best 2 Year Degrees for the Money

#1. Radiation Therapist

Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Like many of the highest paying jobs with an associate’s degree, being a radiation therapist isn’t easy. Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to cancer patients–doubtless an emotionally stressful occupation. The other stress comes from handling radioactive material and the potential risk of exposure to radiation. While rare, it is possible to be exposed to radiation in unsafe ways while on the job. The pay starts out pretty good in the early stages of the career and increases dramatically over time as the radiation therapist gains experience and proves they can handle the stress. Radiation therapist ranks #1 on our list of highest paying 2 year degrees.

• Early Career Pay: $48,700
• Median Pay: $82,330
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 2,400

#2. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Nuclear Medicine Technologists can serve many roles in the healthcare industry. Most work with very slightly radioactive medicines used as diagnostic tools by doctors. Others operate machinery like CT scanners and MRI scanners which are used alongside the radiopharmaceutical medicine procedures that the nuclear medicine technologist administers. While job growth may not be as high as many of the other highest paying associates degree jobs, the growth rate of the job is faster than average according to the bureau of labor statistics. Another advantage of earning one of the highest paying associates degrees is that it’s easier to target trends in the current job market because the degree itself takes less time to earn. Nuclear Medicine is one of the best associates degrees to get for the money.

• Early Career Pay: $52,320
• Median Pay: $76,280
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 1,300

#3. Dental Hygienist
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Chances are if you go the dentist, most of your interaction will be with the dental hygienist. Dental hygienists examine patients for oral diseases, provide a wide variety of preventative care, and often do the basic cleanings for patients. While the position only requires an associate’s degree, it can take up to three years to complete all the necessary study and training. Dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which they practice, but this is a small step considering you will have one of the highest paying associates degrees.

• Early Career Pay: $60,200
• Median Pay: $74,820
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 23,700

#4. Registered Nurse
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Registered nurses are the backbone of any medical organization. Most of the actual patient care falls to the nurses. Nurses who work in hospitals perform a great deal of the unpleasant tasks, though that can vary between departments. Registered nurses can decide to pursue more schooling and transition to jobs like nurse practitioner, which means they are able to perform many of the same duties as doctors. It’s hard work, and it pays well, especially as a nurse advances in the field and specializes. The BLS forecasts that 371,500 new nursing jobs will be created in the next ten years, making it more likely for new nursing graduates to find a job right out of school. RN makes it into our top five of highest paying 2 year degrees.

• Early Career Pay: $46,000
• Median Pay: $71,730
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 371,500

#5. Web Developer
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Full-stack web developers are capable of designing every aspect of a website, from backend and e-commerce to user experience design on the front end. In the end, getting a job as a web developer is more about what you’re capable of than what degree you hold. But it’s possible to gain all the knowledge necessary to become a full-stack web developer through one of the highest paying associates degrees. This career area is one of the more recent highest paying 2 year degrees.

• Early Career Pay: $40,000
• Median Pay: $69,430
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 20,900

#6. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

The most well known part of medical sonography is administering an ultrasound to a pregnant woman. But the applications of ultrasound technology go far beyond that function. Ultrasounds are used to detect problems in organs, locate sources of internal bleeding, find tumors or cysts, or inspect the state of muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons without having to explore problems surgically. The field is currently expected to experience significant job growth over the next ten years. If you enjoy the medical field, this is one of the best associates degrees to get for the money.

• Early Career Pay: $49,920
• Median Pay:$67,080
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 18,000

#7. Police Officer
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Police officers go through specialized training at police academies, and the job doesn’t require an associate’s degree. However, an associate’s degree in criminal justice is often beneficial for police officers looking to advance to detective positions within their department. The nature of the job varies depending on where you work. The job of police in a large city tends to be different by nature than the job of police in a suburb or rural area. In all cases the job comes with a significant amount of stress. The stress is generated in part by the inherent risks of the job, and in part by the nature of duties which can involve investigation of all sorts of disturbing crime scenes. Still, if justice is important to you, this is one of the best associates degrees to pursue considering the income.

• Early Career Pay: $48,000
• Median Pay: $63,380
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 37,500

#8. Avionics Technician
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Avionics technicians are responsible for the installation, inspection, testing, adjustment and repair of airplane electronics. Some of the systems they are responsible for include radio, navigation, radar, and spacecraft missile control. Avionics techs are often responsible for maintaining the wiring of airplane electronics as well. When something goes wrong, avionics techs troubleshoot and fix the problem. This is one of the best 2 year degrees to consider for a great income.

• Early Career Pay: $33,440
• Median Pay: $63,060
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 4,700

#9. Respiratory Therapist
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Respiratory therapists work with a wide variety of patients who have problems breathing. The most common patients have some form of respiratory disease like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, or asthma. While the job only requires an associate’s degree, it can be quite beneficial to earn a bachelor’s if you want to advance in your career. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, nursing care, and home care. This career is one of several top 10 highest paying 2 year degrees in the healthcare arena.

• Early Career Pay: $52,320
• Median Pay: $60,280
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 27,900

#10. Computer Network Specialist
Bureau of Labor Statistics Page

Computer networking professionals are typically responsible for setting up and maintaining local computer networks for businesses and organizations. They do regular maintenance, install software and updates, configure operating systems, and make sure proper security practices are maintained. Computer network specialists who want to advance in their career, eventually becoming network administrators, computer network architects, or network security professionals, might consider earning a bachelor’s degree. But even that’s not always necessary as job experience is typically the most important factor companies consider when hiring for those positions.

• Early Career Pay: $48,300
• Median Pay: $53,470
• Number of New Jobs 2018-2028: 83,100

 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

@YaThreadFloppedB!

 

[Shang Tsung]

It was just the place I did my gen ed classes for a fraction of the cost

It was weird af being there tho. Basically the only people I met were overachieving dual-enrollment highschoolers, lazy mfs who are only there to say theyre in college and have no direction, 28+ year olds, and very rarely I would meet someone who is just using it as a stepping stone to go to a 4 year university

 

[At30wecashout]

I will likely get the CNS associates and just focus on certs and an ironclad resume.

Man I was gonna see a counselor when I got some time off in March so I can get my associates. What a time to be alive.

 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

I will likely get the CNS associates and just focus on certs and an ironclad resume.

Man I was gonna see a counselor when I got some time off in March so I can get my associates. What a time to be alive.

Don't go for CNS breh, they don't get paid shyt and do all the dirty work. Ain't that what thots do, but claim to be registered nurses

 

[Kwabena]

Kinda regret going to university for a business degree. Now I realized the benefits of specializing.

 

[Sandy_Cheeks]

For an RN, you can’t stop at just the ADN. Many hospitals require you to sign a contract to obtain your BSN within 5 yrs or so.


Also, many of these programs are limited and competitive af. Like 10 students being accepted into the program a year type shyt.

 

[CopiousX]

It was just the place I did my gen ed classes for a fraction of the cost

It was weird af being there tho. Basically the only people I met were overachieving dual-enrollment highschoolers, lazy mfs who are only there to say theyre in college and have no direction, 28+ year olds, and very rarely I would meet someone who is just using it as a stepping stone to go to a 4 year university

When I graduated highschool, I actually told my mother about the benefits OP was talking about and she told me that exact line.



She told me, " I dont care how cheap it is, no son of mine us going anywhere near a community college"








I think she was more worried about the social environment as well as social stigma. After paying 7000 per semester just for generals and 10,000 per semester for engineering courses, I wish i ignored her assss

 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

For an RN, you can’t stop at just the ADN. Many hospitals require you to sign a contract to obtain your BSN within 5 yrs or so.


Also, many of these programs are limited and competitive af. Like 10 students being accepted into the program a year type shyt.

All you need is some determination, nothing that's rewarding comes easy in life. If you like what you do and want a good career then you'll compete for the position Getting your BSN in 5 years is doable.

 

[CopiousX]

For an RN, you can’t stop at just the ADN. Many hospitals require you to sign a contract to obtain your BSN within 5 yrs or so.


Also, many of these programs are limited and competitive af. Like 10 students being accepted into the program a year type shyt.

So true. Thats why so many people opt to pay 3x as much at a private institution that takes everyone.



Ive met a lot of women in ATL that had been on both the community College and public college waiting list for 4+ years.

 

[Sandy_Cheeks]

All you need is some determination, nothing that's rewarding comes easy in life. If you like what you do and want a good career then you'll compete for the position Getting your BSN in 5 years is doable.

I whole heartedly agree. I think 2 yr programs are worthwhile if someone is disciplined enough to get through the challenging classes needed. Many make great money. My mom is a Respiratory Therapist and at her peak has pulled in 70-80k a year with minimal OT.

 

[AAKing23]

Yeah this includes technical schools too, if you're looking for something to be skilled in and to make yourself employable asap I highly recommend trying a 2yr school.

Going the 4yr route didn't necessarily work out for me the way I intended due to life happening and me having to take years off after highschool. I ended up being 22-23 yrs old and having 60-90 credit hours over the years and nothing to show for it degree wise. So I transferred to a tech school with most of my gen Ed's and completed an IT networking degree and got a job immediately after graduating. Best thing is that my 2yr degree was basically free since I qualified for grants that paid my tuition, so no debt at all, plus I had savings from my jobs through the years.

Started at around 30k at my job, after a year of learning as much as possible I'm now around 40k, once I get my certs (my job pays for) I'll easily be over 50k minimum.

 

[Rawtid]

I personally think all college oriented high schoolers should graduate with an associates degree. That leaves just 2 years of undergrad and 2 for masters. If they aren't college oriented, leave with some sort of apprenticeship or certification.

 

[Serious]

For an RN, you can’t stop at just the ADN. Many hospitals require you to sign a contract to obtain your BSN within 5 yrs or so.


Also, many of these programs are limited and competitive af. Like 10 students being accepted into the program a year type shyt.

Yeah in theory these programs are nice but I know places with 3 year waiting lists. You need to have either a 4.0 in all the prerequisite, know someone or go to school in some bumfukk county.

 

[Ezekiel 25:17]

I whole heartedly agree. I think 2 yr programs are worthwhile if someone is disciplined enough to get through the challenging classes needed. Many make great money. My mom is a Respiratory Therapist and at her peak has pulled in 70-80k a year with minimal OT.

Yeah and also those University STEM programs can be competitive too. On top of that, they also aren't easy.

Might as well go for the 2 year degree if you trying to get something quick