6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS 2 YEARS 4 YEARS Because 65% of all jobs will soon require a college education! By 2020, a high school diploma may no longer be enough to secure a good-paying job. More than ever, a degree or some type of training beyond high school will be critical to your success. A college education is your ticket to a better future—one with more job opportunities, more money and more stability. WHY SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE? GET PAID TO DO WHAT YOU LIKE! Pick an area of study based on what interests you and then decide how long you want to spend in college. The time it takes to complete different programs will vary, but remember: the more you learn, the more you’ll earn. Just look at how average salaries for different fields of study increase with the type of degree you get... TECHNICAL PROGRAM ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE An associate’s degree is a short, relatively inexpensive way to open up a bunch of cool career options. Plus you’ll be halfway to earning your bachelor’s degree if you decide to continue your education. Earning a technical certificate or technical diploma is a great way to gain quick entry into a career and give your income a boost. If you want to invest more time in your training, some programs offer apprenticeships. You’ll earn even more money and get paid while you learn. Many well-paying jobs, especially those in new and growing fields, require a four-year bachelor’s degree. Earning one will increase your earning potential and it can also serve as a stepping stone to graduate school. BEYOND BACHELOR’S 4+ YEARS Your education doesn’t have to end with a bachelor’s degree. Keep going and earn your graduate degree, such as a: It may mean another two to four years of college on top of your bachelor’s degree, but if you want to be a doctor or lawyer it will be time well spent. The upside is the additional years can lead to bigger paychecks. PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE MASTER’S EXPLORE ADDITIONAL MAJORS AND CAREERS bigfuture.collegeboard.org/explore-careers Agriculture Dairy Technician $34,300 Livestock Manager $42,600 Plant Geneticist $80,000 Art/Music Multimedia Artist $50,000 Video Game Designer $58,300 Art Director $90,300 Business Accounting Assistant $35,700 Human Resource Manager $61,600 Advertising Executive $70,700 Computers/Technology Voice Data and Video Technician $51,700 App Developer $68,000 Cyber Security Director $114,400 Health Care/Medical Surgical Assistant $42,100 Radiographer $51,400 Registered Nurse $70,600 Construction Trades Welder $36,600 Kitchen and Bath Designer $54,300 Real Estate Developer $87,400 Make an investment in your future Going to college is a life-changing decision— one that can make a big impact financially and personally. It can increase your career options, boost your earnings, and allow you to step out on your own and create new opportunities for yourself. You’ll have to invest some time and money now, but in the long run, it can really pay off. See what we mean