Whether you are looking for upward mobility in your career, a new opportunity to learn and develop professionally, or a higher salary, the reasons for pursuing a degree are many.
- Marketability
A degree opens up rewarding possibilities that might otherwise be out of reach. College graduates are offered 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates, and experts predict that by 2025, two-thirds of all jobs will require postsecondary education. A degree positions you to qualify for these opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.
- Increased Earning Potential
The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the average salary for those with various education levels, and the data is clear: The greater the level of education, the higher the salary.
The difference in earning power is striking.
Those with high school diplomas only can expect to earn an average of $712 weekly, or $37,024 annually. A bachelor’s degree allows for a substantial jump in pay. Bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of $1,173 per week, or $60,996 each year — nearly $25,000 more than high school graduates.
- Increased Competitiveness
While earning your degree, you will gain important skills that will give you an advantage in the job market. Nowadays, employers are most interested in applicants with exceptional communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The combination of rigorous coursework and experiential learning opportunities that are part of a good degree program prepare you with these skills to make you more attractive to employers.
- Return on Investment
Degrees are an investment, but the right degree can offer a quick return on your investment. Training new employees is difficult and expensive. The better the training at the educational level, the more valuable you will be to your employer. This can pay off in increased salary, bonuses, visibility, perks and promotion.
- Future Possibilities
Even without a clear career plan, it pays to earn a bachelor’s degree when you’re young and single. Every day, the advisors in Sara Schenirer speak with potential students who are in their mid-30s and now wish to earn a degree. They all face the same problem; their need for increased income is immediate, and they don’t have the luxury of pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree at this late stage. By earning a bachelor’s degree before marriage, you’ll be well-prepared to join a graduate program when the need arises.
