Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 12 reporting college programs.
−$121,706 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.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,418
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 5
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $44,030
- Federal debt
- $17,930
- Reporting programs
- 12
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,205
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 67
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $73,446
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 18
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $211,565
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $65,838
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
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.
1Ferris State University$58,3342Manor College$55,2983Goodwin University$53,1714American Public University System$51,5795Monroe Community College$45,1676Ozarks Technical Community College$45,1537Northeast State Community College$42,9068Chattanooga State Community College$41,9519Berkshire Community College$41,78410Ohio University-Main Campus$40,330Observed 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 | Ferris State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Big Rapids, MI | $58,334 | $17,930 | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Manor CollegeAssociate's Degree | Jenkintown, PA | $55,298 | $19,000 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Goodwin UniversityAssociate's Degree | East Hartford, CT | $53,171 | $39,835 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $51,579 | $8,358 | -40% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Monroe Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rochester, NY | $45,167 | $12,950 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Ozarks Technical Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Springfield, MO | $45,153 | $20,626 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Northeast State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blountville, TN | $42,906 | Not available | -120% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Chattanooga State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chattanooga, TN | $41,951 | $22,513 | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Berkshire Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pittsfield, MA | $41,784 | $12,627 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Ohio University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Athens, OH | $40,330 | Not available | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | College of Southern IdahoAssociate's Degree | Twin Falls, ID | $36,177 | $10,209 | -186% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Mid Michigan CollegeAssociate's Degree | Harrison, MI | $35,848 | Not available | -186% | Negative payoff |
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.