Science Technologies/Technicians, Other: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 8 reporting college programs.
+$3,938 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.
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $56,179
- Federal debt
- $11,798
- Reporting programs
- 8
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $75,425
- Federal debt
- $23,897
- Reporting programs
- 9
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $125,048
- 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.
1Pierpont Community and Technical College$63,4232Frederick Community College$61,5283Oakland Community College$58,8084Truckee Meadows Community College$56,1795College of Southern Nevada$53,5016Community College of Vermont$45,4397Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College$39,6838Montgomery County Community CollegeNot availableObserved 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 | Pierpont Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fairmont, WV | $63,423 | $11,798 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Frederick Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Frederick, MD | $61,528 | $9,725 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Oakland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn Hills, MI | $58,808 | $12,024 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Truckee Meadows Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Reno, NV | $56,179 | $10,062 | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | College of Southern NevadaAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $53,501 | $8,250 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Community College of VermontAssociate's Degree | Montpelier, VT | $45,439 | $16,300 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Moorefield, WV | $39,683 | Not available | -150% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Montgomery County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Blue Bell, PA | Not available | $15,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $11,124 |
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.