Skip to main content
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact

Search form

American Institutes for Research

  • Our Work
    • Education
    • Health
    • International
    • Workforce
    • ALL TOPICS >
  • Our Services
    • Research and Evaluation
    • Technical Assistance
  • Our Experts
  • News & Events

You are here

  • Home
10 Aug 2015
Index

AIR Index: Can You Earn Middle-Class Wages Without a Bachelor’s?

Man with briefcaseWhile a bachelor’s degree remains a good investment for most students, not all have the time, money, or inclination to complete the degree. Since college tuition rises are outpacing the inflation rate, College Measures, a joint venture of AIR and Optimity Advisers, is studying the value of sub-baccalaureate credentials. Depending on subject studied and location, the project finds that those with associate’s degrees or certificates often out-earn those holding a bachelor’s.
 

Percent change in bachelor’s degrees awarded in the U.S. between 2008 and 2013: +18

In short-term certificates: +28

In associate’s degrees: +38

In long-term certificates: +64

______________________

Colorado per-capita median income in 2013: $31,000

Median wages earned by those with an associate’s degree: $42,000

By those with a long-term certificate: $49,000

By those with a short-term certificate: $54,000

By those with a bachelor’s: $55,000

______________________

Median earnings of graduates in Colorado with an associate’s of applied sciences in graphic communications: $32,000

In computer systems networking and telecommunications: $58,000

In registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing: $64,000

In fire protection: $73,000

______________________

Texas per-capita median income in 2013: $26,000

Median wages earned by those with a certificate: $47,000

By those with an associate’s degree: $56,000

By those with a bachelor’s: $69,000

______________________

Median earnings of human development, family studies and related services certificate holders in Texas: $23,000

Of funeral service and mortuary science certificate holders: $29,000

Of plumbing and related water supply service certificate holders: $71,000

Of mechanical engineering certificate holders: $116,000

 

All figures are from 2013 data, the latest available. Wages reflect earnings ten years after receiving a credential.

Sources: Education Pays in Colorado: Earnings One, Five and Ten Years After College (2015), College Measures, U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Data System

Related Work

29 Apr 2015
Report

Education Pays in Colorado: Earnings 1, 5, and 10 Years After College

Postsecondary education delivers many benefits to students who attend America’s colleges and universities and to society in general. But students should explore all of their options, including shorter and less expensive pathways (e.g., subbaccalaureate credentials) to good jobs. Among other findings, this report reveals that many subbaccalaureate credentials can lead to middle-class earnings—sometimes exceeding the earnings of graduates with bachelor’s degrees.
25 Apr 2013
Report

Higher Education Pays: The Initial Earnings of Graduates of Texas Colleges and Universities Who Are Working in Texas

The earnings of recent bachelor's and master's recipients in Texas vary not only by degree but by specific program and institution, according to a recent study prepared by College Measures, a joint venture of AIR and the Matrix Knowledge Group.

Further Reading

  • Associate’s Degrees and Certificates Can Be a Path to the Middle-Class, New Report on Colorado Graduates Finds
  • Report: In Texas, First-Year Income of Certificate Holders Can Exceed Earnings of Those with Associate’s or Bachelor’s
  • Higher Education Pays: The Initial Earnings of Graduates of Texas Colleges and Universities Who Are Working in Texas
  • Earnings of Tennessee College Graduates Vary Dramatically Five Years After Graduation
  • The Value of Higher Education
Share

Topic

Education
Postsecondary Education

More AIR Indexes

AIR Index: Bullying

AIR Index: Can You Earn Middle-Class Wages Without a Bachelor’s?

AIR Index: Does 65 Truly Define “Older Americans”?

AIR Index: The Pay Gap for Workers with Disabilities

AIR Index: Health Insurance Literacy in America

AIR Index: Mothers in Homeless and Housing Programs

AIR Index: Zambia’s Cash Transfer Program

AIR Index: STEM Ph.D. Debt by Race

more >

Latest News & Updates

17 Nov 2020
News Release

American Institutes for Research Acquires Kimetrica

12 Nov 2020
News Release

Maher and CompTIA to Build Pathways to Tech Careers for Diverse Talent through U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Award

10 Nov 2020
News Release

American Institutes for Research and IMPAQ Experts to Present Virtually at Annual APPAM Fall Research Conference

9 Nov 2020
News Release

American Institutes for Research Welcomes New Board Members

21 Oct 2020
News Release

The Challenges of Educating Students with Disabilities and English Learners During COVID-19

View all
View all

RESEARCH. EVALUATION. APPLICATION. IMPACT.

About Us

About AIR
Board of Directors
Leadership
Experts
Clients
Contracting with AIR
Contact Us

Our Work

Education
Health
International
Workforce

Client Services

Research and Evaluation
Technical Assistance

News & Events

Careers at AIR


Search form


 

Connecting

FacebookTwitterLinkedinYouTubeInstagram

American Institutes for Research

1400 Crystal Drive, 10th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202-3289
Call: (202) 403-5000
Fax: (202) 403-5000

Copyright © 2020 American Institutes for Research®.  All rights reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap