An economy that constantly ebbs and flows is a simple fact of life, and the past few years have proven just how quickly things can change. However, despite times of economic highs or lows, education remains one of the soundest investments. During the pandemic, many Americans took advantage of opportunities to advance their education online, and they’re now reaping the financial and professional benefits of earning a degree.
If you’re considering going back to school and securing your future for the long run, there’s no time like the present — particularly if you earn a degree from Tiffin University. With flexible learning options, plentiful financial aid opportunities and supportive faculty and staff, we’re committed to making graduation possible and practical for every student.
Does it really pay to earn a degree?
As you consider returning to school, you might wonder if a college degree really leads to a higher salary, and if the pay increase is even worth the time, effort and money it takes to graduate.
Happily, the answer is yes! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advancing your education typically leads to higher weekly and annual earnings, as well as higher lifetime earnings and retirement savings — and these statistics hold true for all levels of education.
Consider the latest data:
Median Usual Weekly Earnings by Educational Attainment, 2022*
*Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey
As the data shows, salary potential increases with each level of education achieved. So, completing a degree not only improves your potential earnings week to week, but for the lifetime of your career and into retirement.
Ways to advance your education and salary.
Earn your Bachelor’s degree.
Data shows that completing your high school diploma or earning a GED can substantially increase your salary potential. A high school diploma also unlocks the door to higher education, where every degree earned can further increase your salary potential.
According to Policy Matters Ohio, workers with a bachelor’s degree were paid 77% more than those with just a high school diploma. Employees with a college degree were also more likely to reap fringe benefits, like the ability to work from home.
Tiffin University’s Bachelor of Arts in workplace leadership degree completion program is specifically designed for students who have started, but not completed, their degree. The program accepts up to 90 credits, which is a great opportunity to put the credits you’ve already earned to good use, saving you valuable time and money.
Tiffin University also offers a Credit for Prior Learning program that rewards you for your achievements, helps to reduce your number of required courses, and helps you progress toward a bachelor’s degree faster – saving you time and money. Find out how much of your work and learning experiences qualify for college credit with our Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) calculator.
If you have an associate degree from a regionally-accredited institution, Tiffin University offers multiple ways to fast track your bachelor’s degree through our associate to bachelor’s degree completion program. No matter your original field of study, you’ll only be required to take a maximum of 60 credits toward any of our bachelor’s degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science
By earning a bachelor’s degree, you can increase your annual salary potential by $20,000 or more. Over the course of a 40-year career, this can equate to more than $800,000 in additional income. Additionally, graduating with a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward pursuing even more degrees, which will further increase your earning potential.
Earn your Master’s degree.
If you decide to take your education to the graduate level, you can expect median weekly earnings of $1,661 or $86,372 annually (adjusted for holidays and vacation days). Tiffin University offers a variety of online and on-campus master’s degree programs. Most of our master’s programs can be completed in 1 to 1.5 years if attending full-time, and part-time options are also available. Whether it’s business, criminal justice, education, humanities or science, our degree programs are affordable, so graduation is attainable. The unemployment rate for individuals with a master’s degree is 1.9 percent, compared to 4 percent for high school graduates and 3.5 percent for people with some college but no degree.
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Education
- Master of Humanities
- Master of Science
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Earn your doctoral degree.
Doctoral degrees are often called “terminal degrees” because they’re the furthest a student can take their education in a particular discipline. Those with a doctorate can earn an average of $2,083 a week, or $108,316 annually, (adjusted for holidays and vacation days). The unemployment rate for Ph.D.-holders is the lowest on average, at just 1 percent.
If you’ve earned your master’s degree and want to pursue your doctorate, Tiffin University offers an online Ph.D. in global leadership and change degree. This program is designed specifically for adult learners who often have full schedules and competing demands. With minimal residency requirements, affordable tuition and a highly supportive learning environment, this Ph.D. program lets students pursue excellence without upending their busy lives.
So, can you really earn more if you learn more?
The data speaks for itself, and the answer is a definitive yes! Only you have the power to secure your future, but Tiffin University is your partner in ensuring your success. We see every student’s full potential, and make your graduation our focus from day one.
If you’re ready to take the next step, our admissions team is here to help you explore and understand our degree programs designed for busy adults. Apply today or submit a request for information to learn more.
We look forward to meeting you!