Compare paths · Associate's vs bachelor's
Two years or four?
Run the numbers first.
27 majors compared head-to-head: what each credential earns in year one, what graduates borrow, and the year the longer path pays for itself. Pick your field below.
Arts
- Design & Applied Arts
- Associate's, year 1
- $27K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $34K
- Break-even
- year 11
- Film, Video & Photography
- Associate's, year 1
- $23K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $26K
- Break-even
- year 12
- Fine & Studio Arts
- Associate's, year 1
- $20K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $25K
- Break-even
- year 15
- Music
- Associate's, year 1
- $21K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $28K
- Break-even
- year 16
Business
- Accounting
- Associate's, year 1
- $37K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $54K
- Break-even
- year 9
- Business Administration
- Associate's, year 1
- $35K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $47K
- Break-even
- year 11
- Hospitality Management
- Associate's, year 1
- $28K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $35K
- Break-even
- year 12
- Human Resources
- Associate's, year 1
- $42K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $52K
- Break-even
- year 13
Communication
Computing
Education
Healthcare
- Health Administration
- Associate's, year 1
- $32K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $46K
- Break-even
- year 9
- Kinesiology & Exercise Science
- Associate's, year 1
- $27K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $31K
- Break-even
- year 13
- Medical Assisting
- Associate's, year 1
- $37K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $34K
- Break-even
- year 11
- Mental & Social Health Services
- Associate's, year 1
- $35K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $39K
- Break-even
- year 14
- Nursing
- Associate's, year 1
- $70K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $75K
- Public Health
- Associate's, year 1
- $34K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $39K
- Break-even
- year 13
- Social Work
- Associate's, year 1
- $30K
- Bachelor's, year 1
- $37K
- Break-even
- year 14