Carpenters: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 8 reporting college programs.
−$107,534 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Ivy Tech Community College$69,4422Austin Community College District$61,5333Ranken Technical College$48,5744Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology$46,4335SUNY College of Technology at Delhi$45,162Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $69,442 | $9,125 | +134% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $61,533 | $15,624 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Ranken Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $48,574 | $12,000 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, PA | $46,433 | $7,266 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | SUNY College of Technology at DelhiAssociate's Degree | Delhi, NY | $45,162 | Not available | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Triangle Tech Inc-GreensburgAssociate's Degree | , | $41,072 | $12,610 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 7 | Triangle Tech Inc-BethlehemAssociate's Degree | , | $41,072 | $12,610 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 8 | Triangle Tech Inc-PittsburghAssociate's Degree | , | $36,957 | $20,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.