With the soaring cost of college and the crushing amounts of student loan debt, many people have started to rethink the conventional wisdom about attending a four-year educational institution. Fortunately, the cost of obtaining an associate’s degree is just a fraction of the cost of getting a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university. Additionally, several jobs pay well and only require an associate’s degree.

Here’s a look at a few of them.

Medical Field

It turns out that you don’t need to go to medical school to have a medical career. There are plenty of jobs in the medical field that pay well, and some of them only require an Associate’s Degree. 

There are several respiratory therapist jobs that you can obtain. It’s also possible to get an associate’s degree in nursing. This is an ADN. This two-year degree allows you to become a registered nurse. Today, nursing careers count among the hottest job prospects. The demand for nurses is also expected to keep climbing as Baby Boomers retire. 

Finally, medical billers can also make a good income as well, and this job does not require a Bachelor’s Degree, just an AA. The annual salaries for these jobs can begin at $40,000.

Law

Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work under the supervision of a lawyer and possess many of the legal skills that lawyers do. However, this job requires far less schooling. If you want to become a paralegal, you can pursue either an associate’s degree in legal studies, or you can get a Bachelor’s Degree and earn a minor or a certification in paralegal studies. Many paralegals will go on to earn between $60,000 and $100,000 a year.

Web Development

Web developers earn between $66,000 and $70,000 a year. And, you can start making this kind of income after completing an Associate’s Degree. A web developer is also in the ranks of one of the hottest jobs for 2020. People who become web developers spend their days coding and designing websites. They create websites that have both visual appeal and easy navigation. Finally, in the best-case scenarios, they work with clients to develop and optimize their websites. This strategy can help the clients establish their brands, attract more customers, and drive traffic.

Getting an Associate’s Degree has many advantages, and the lower cost is prominent among them. Many young people can attend a community college to earn their Associate’s Degree, and some can even earn their AA while still in high school through dual-credit programs. 

It takes less time to get an associate’s degree, which can ultimately allow you to enter the job market sooner. Finally, it’s a myth that an Associate Degree doesn’t lead to lucrative careers. 

As the occupations on this list demonstrate, it is possible to get an excellent job with an associate’s degree.