Mathematics: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 13 reporting college programs.
+$58,959 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.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
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
- $84,699
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 2
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,557
- Federal debt
- $14,622
- Reporting programs
- 13
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,257
- Federal debt
- $21,589
- Reporting programs
- 331
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,298
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 11
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $75,361
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
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.
1Weber State University$81,2702Austin Community College District$74,8913San Diego Miramar College$74,2214College of the Canyons$73,0885Santa Ana College$66,2826San Diego Mesa College$62,6167Coalinga College$61,5578San Jacinto Community College$59,3609Lemoore College$54,00610CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College$43,803Observed 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 | Weber State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Ogden, UT | $81,270 | Not available | +228% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $74,891 | $15,125 | +191% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | San Diego Miramar CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $74,221 | Not available | +202% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | College of the CanyonsAssociate's Degree | Santa Clarita, CA | $73,088 | Not available | +188% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $66,282 | Not available | +121% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | San Diego Mesa CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $62,616 | Not available | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Coalinga CollegeAssociate's Degree | Coalinga, CA | $61,557 | Not available | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | San Jacinto Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, TX | $59,360 | Not available | +26% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Lemoore CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lemoore, CA | $54,006 | Not available | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New York, NY | $43,803 | Not available | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland CampusAssociate's Degree | Vineland, NJ | $43,325 | Not available | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester CampusAssociate's Degree | Sewell, NJ | $43,325 | Not available | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Community College of Allegheny CountyAssociate's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $37,714 | $14,118 | -162% | 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.