Degree Comparison: Associate, Bachelor, and Vocational Paths That Pay

When you're choosing a path after high school, degree comparison, the process of evaluating different educational credentials based on cost, time, and career outcomes. Also known as educational pathway analysis, it’s not about which degree is "better"—it’s about which one fits your goals, budget, and timeline. Too many people assume a four-year bachelor’s is the only way up. But that’s not true anymore. In 2025, a two-year associate degree, a postsecondary credential typically earned at community colleges or technical schools. Also known as associate's degree, it in fields like nuclear medicine or dental hygiene can pay more than some bachelor’s degrees—and take half the time. And then there’s vocational education, hands-on training focused on specific trades or technical jobs, now often called Career and Technical Education (CTE). Also known as CTE, it—no campus, no student loans, just skills that employers are desperate for.

Here’s the real question: What’s the point of spending four years and $100,000 if a 2-year program gets you the same job, or a better one? Look at air traffic control. You don’t need a bachelor’s. You need a Federal Aviation Administration certification—and that comes from a 2-year program. Same with radiation therapy. The median salary? Over $80,000. No four-year degree required. Meanwhile, many bachelor’s grads are stuck in entry-level roles with student debt, wondering why their degree didn’t guarantee a paycheck. It’s not that bachelor’s degrees are useless—they matter in law, medicine, or engineering. But for a growing list of high-paying, stable jobs, they’re just not the only option.

And it’s not just about money. It’s about speed. If you’re 28 and want to switch careers, waiting four more years isn’t realistic. A 12-month coding bootcamp or a 2-year associate in computer networks gets you into tech faster. Even government jobs—like those in local councils—often value experience and proven skills over paper credentials. You don’t need a degree to prove you can handle public service. You need to show up, learn the system, and get results.

So when you do a degree comparison, stop comparing degrees on paper. Compare outcomes. How long until you earn? What’s the starting pay? Are jobs actually available where you live? Do you want to sit in a classroom for years, or get your hands dirty and start working now? The answers aren’t the same for everyone. That’s why the posts below cover everything from the highest-paying 2-year degrees to how vocational training is reshaping hiring—and why some IIT grads end up in Silicon Valley not because they had a degree, but because they built something real. You’ll find real data, real salaries, and real stories from people who skipped the traditional path and still won.

By Nolan Blackburn
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2 Jun 2025

MBA vs Masters: Key Differences, Pros, and Cons

Curious whether an MBA or a Masters degree fits your career goals? This article walks you through the biggest differences, straight talk on pros and cons, and the real-world impact on your job options and salary. You'll get simple explanations of course content, costs, and time commitments. Plus, there's no jargon—just real advice for real people. It's all about helping you pick the right path without the usual confusion.