When looking for the next step in your educational journey, you may think that the only way to earn a degree is to commit the next four years of your life to school. While this may be the route that many students take to earn a degree, it is not the only choice out there. A two-year associate degree could be the perfect fit for you. An associate degree is a great choice for someone looking for knowledge, advancement, and a less expensive way to get on their career path. Let's break down the top 5 reasons to earn an associate degree!

Here are 5 reasons you should consider earning an associate degree:

1) Education Pays

The more you know, the more you earn. Employees with an associate degree are better able to find and keep jobs in their field of interest. While in these jobs, employees are making more than they would with just a high school diploma. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the higher the educational attainment, the more you can earn each year.

2) Balance It All

While earning your degree, students are given the chance to learn how to balance life and work. Luckily, many schools have started using online classrooms to help students fit it all in. These types of classes free students from being bound to specific dates, times, and places to learn the curriculum. Taking introductory classes online will help students learn about a given topic, all the while figuring out if they can fit higher-level courses into their schedule if they decide to pursue a bachelor’s program in the future.

3) Continued Paths

Most associate programs are built around the requirements needed when earning a bachelor’s degree. Because of this, students who complete an associate program are already ahead of the game if they decide to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree later. Going through an associate program also allows students to get a glimpse of the workload and expectations that will accompany a bachelor’s degree, giving them another advantage.

4) Lower Unemployment Rates

There is never a guarantee of a job at the end of a degree program, but students who graduate with an associate degree face a lower unemployment rate than those with only a high school diploma. According to the BLS, data from 2017 shows an unemployment rate of 3.4% for those who hold an associate degree compared to 4.6% for students with only a high school diploma. There is no better way to get ahead than to have more education.

5) Commitment to Yourself and Your Job

Earning an associate degree shows those around you (and your employer or future employer) that you are taking steps to invest in your future. You are seen as serious about your education and committed to developing your professional skill set and knowledge.