Pay Less For Two-Year Degrees That Can Make You Bank

Top Paying Two-Year Associates Degrees

Let’s be real – the cost of a college education these days is absolutely nuts. With tuition prices skyrocketing and student debt hitting record levels, more and more people are looking for affordable alternatives to the traditional four-year university route.

I’ve mentioned in the past about if you need to go to college, and the importance of trade schools. Well, here is a balance, the humble associate’s degree from your local community college. Often overlooked and underrated, these two-year programs can actually set you up for some seriously lucrative careers if you choose wisely. And the best part? They’ll only set you back a fraction of what you’d pay at a big-name school.

I thought about what options or fields are out there. Then explore which associate’s degrees are actually worth the investment? After poring over loads of data, Here are some of the highest paying jobs you can land with just an A.A. (Associates of Arts Degree) or A.S. (Associates of Science) under your belt. Trust me, some of these salary ranges might just make your jaw drop.

Occupational Health and Safety ($50,200 – $77,800)

Looking for a career that literally saves lives? An associate’s in occupational health and safety could be your ticket. These programs train you up on all the latest safety protocols across industries like healthcare, construction, manufacturing and more.

With an average starting salary of $50,200 and potential to crack $77,800 once you’ve got some experience, this degree lets you cash in while doing some seriously important work. You’ll be the one keeping workers safe from hazards and ensuring businesses stay compliant with all those fun government regulations.  

Software Engineering ($50,600 – $89,600) 

Computer geeks, this one’s for you. An A.S. in software engineering will have you coding up a storm and fluent in all the latest programming languages. You’ll be a wizard at everything from operating systems to web design to networking.

Sure, it’s not quite as glamorous as being a hot-shot developer at a FAANG company. But with average starting salaries ranging from $50,600 to a delicious $89,600, these jobs definitely won’t leave you living off ramen noodles. Plenty of upside for all you aspiring Mark Zuckerbergs out there.

Project Management ($49,200 – $84,700)

Project managers are the puppet masters who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With an associate’s degree in this field, you’ll be a lean, mean multi-tasking machine, juggling budgets, schedules, and resources like it’s nothing.

And companies will pay handsomely for that skill set – anywhere from $49,200 at the low end to a cool $84,700 if you really know your stuff. Not bad for a two-year degree, right? Just be ready to take charge and start barking orders like a pro.

Biomedical Engineering ($44,900 – $81,800)

This sounds pretty rad, right?! If the idea of working with cutting-edge medical technology gets you all tingly, a biomedical engineering associate’s could be your dream ticket. These programs will teach you to operate and troubleshoot all those crazy machines that are literally saving people’s lives every single day.

While the $44,900 starting salary might not make you a millionaire, stick around and you could be pulling in up to $81,800 once you gain more experience. That’s some seriously lucrative nuts and bolts work if you ask me.

Computer Science & Mathematics ($41,300 – $85,900)

Here’s one for all my math nerds and code monkeys out there. An A.S. in computer science and mathematics will transform you into a full-fledged programming pro, fluent in everything from calculus to Python to C++.

Starting salaries for these jobs hover around $41,300. But with some hard work and perseverance, you could be bringing in a hefty $85,900 as an elite data scientist, systems analyst, or something equally impressive-sounding. Just be ready to live that glorious life of caffeine-fueled all-nighters.

Network Engineering ($50,000 – $81,300)

Love tinkering with routers and modems? Then network engineering might just be your calling. With an associate’s in this field, you’ll be the one keeping those internet pipes flowing smoothly for businesses everywhere.

While $50,000 is about average for an entry-level network admin or junior role, stick with it and you could climb all the way up to $81,300 as a wizzened vet. That’s more than enough to afford blazing fast home internet and a few WoW expansions, my gamer friends.

Advertising & Marketing ($36,400 – $90,000) 

Alright creative visionaries, this one’s for you. An associate’s in advertising and marketing communications will teach you how to tap into the minds of consumers and craft wildly effective campaigns.

The low end of $36,400 might have you pinching pennies at first. But with some hustle and quick wits, you could realistically be scoring a fat $90,000 as a seasoned ad exec or CMO before you know it. Who said making the world buy more stuff wasn’t a lucrative gig?

Radiation Therapy ($62,300 – $92,600)

In the harrowing fight against cancer, radiation therapists are on the frontlines administering life-saving treatments. An associate’s in radiation therapy will give you all the knowledge and clinical hours you need to operate that cutting-edge tech.  

And the pay is no joke, with an average salary range spanning $62,300 to $92,600. That’s some serious bread for playing a crucial role in helping folks battle one of humanity’s cruelest diseases. If that doesn’t make you feel like a straight-up hero, I don’t know what will.

Nuclear Medicine ($62,600 – $77,300)

Speaking of cutting-edge medical procedures, an A.S. in nuclear medicine will have you mastering all those crazy radioactive drugs and imaging systems that seem straight out of a sci-fi flick. From radiopharmaceuticals to PET scans, you’ll be a wizard with all of it.

While that $62,600 starting salary is nothing to sneeze at, the real draw here is the potential to crack $77,300 as an experienced nuclear medicine technologist working with some of the most advanced treatments out there. You’ll be like a real-life Tony Stark, but way better looking (no offense, RDJ).

Physician Assistant Studies ($53,800 – $99,400)

Alright, let’s kick things up a notch. An associate’s in physician assistant studies will put you on the fast track to easily cracking six figures – all without having to suffer through eight years of med school and residencies.  

While programs in this field are crazy competitive, those who make the cut can expect starting salaries around $53,800 as a clinical advisor, physician assistant or other high-level role. But stick with it and you’ll be looking at potential earnings up to $99,400 as a seasoned vet. Not too shabby for a two-year degree, eh?

There you have it folks – proof that you don’t need a fancy bachelor’s degree to rake in some serious dough. With the right community college program and some hard work, you could be well on your way to a higher-paying job than plenty of university grads.

The only question is, which of these high-paying associate’s degrees has your name written all over it? Let us know in the comments! Horns Up \m/ \m/