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Associate degree programs often provide a route to achievement and financial stability. This would require us to consider easy degrees that pay well and reasons for choosing an easy degree.

According to the labor market, 33.8% of professionals with college degrees work in fields where a degree is not required (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 2021).

In addition, a lot of grads are still in debt. Over 44 million Americans will owe more than $1.7 trillion in school debt in 2021, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Given this, some students are motivated to take up quick degrees that pay well to start their job earlier and avoid incurring debt.

In reality, a sizable percentage of college graduates have positions that do not need a degree from an accredited institution.

Thankfully, a wide range of associate degrees and professional certificate programs can help you get a job.

This article comprises a list of easy degrees that pay well. Stay with us.

8 Easy Degrees That Pay Well

The availability of well-paying associate degrees and six-month certificate programs is rather common. Options exist to help you get ready for employment in several areas.

We’ve listed a few of these programs below using information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1. Air Traffic Control

Median Annual Salary: $130,420
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 4%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 2,500

The use of flight control software is emphasized in an associate’s degree program in air traffic control, along with the fundamentals of aviation.

The safety of both pilots and passengers will be ensured by teaching students how to coordinate the entry and exit of aircraft from airports.

Before formally beginning their job as air traffic controllers, students must do internships in the industry or attend certification classes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy after completing 30 to 60 credits of school.

During a flight, air traffic controllers speak with the pilots. They frequently operate in airport control towers.

However, They are also responsible for warning pilots of other aircraft in the area as well as meteorological dangers like hail, lightning, or updrafts.

In addition, they have to give directions for landing and taking off and map any necessary alterations to the flight path.

2. Computer Programming

Median Annual Salary: $89,190
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: -10%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 9,700

Although some colleges offer an associate degree program for this profession, however, computer programming is frequently taught as a bachelor’s degree program.

Its curriculum includes basic courses in computer science and information technology as well as programming languages, web design, and related technical courses.

Students have the option to pursue specialties in a variety of fields.

This includes information security and computer information systems after completing 60 to 90 courses, which can take 18 to 24 months to finish.

To maintain the functionality of computer programs and software applications.

Computer programmers are expected to use their technical experience and computer knowledge.

Writing and testing code, fixing and expanding on already-existing apps, and obtaining data are all among their responsibilities.

Graduates with specialties have additional career options than computer programming, including database administrators, software developers, and business intelligence analysts.

3. Radiation Therapy

Median Annual Salary: $86,850
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 9%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 1,100

Students who enroll in an associate program in radiation therapy graduate with a solid understanding of medicine and medical procedures.

They will gain knowledge about the signs, causes, and methods of treating various illnesses.

The characteristics of the pharmaceuticals used to treat them, as well as healthcare practices for disease prevention.

Students must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification test after finishing the two-year program in order to begin working as qualified and registered professionals in the field of radiology.

In order to treat patients with cancer and other ailments, radiation therapists must collaborate with doctors to provide the required dosages of radiation.

In addition to transcribing and documenting all relevant patient data, they must examine prescriptions, administer medicines, manage the equipment required for therapy, and perform treatments.

Furthermore, they must help prepare any radioactive substances required for therapy.

4. Web Development

Median Annual Salary: $77,200
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 13%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 17,900

An associate’s degree program in web development attempts to teach students the essentials of networks, database management, and operating systems.

They also incorporate programming language coursework. Students can pursue careers as full-stack developers, computer systems analyzers, or user experience designers after completing this 60-credit program.

As an alternative, individuals might choose to major in web development or seek a specialization to increase their employment options.

Website design, development, and testing are the responsibilities of web developers who work with corporations, organizations, and private individuals.

They make sure that a website is user-friendly, appropriately organized, and adheres to industry standards while working for businesses or on their own as independent contractors.

In order to enhance the functionality of websites, they also examine codes.

The need that they create websites based on a client’s tastes and desires is arguably the most important aspect.

5. Dental Hygiene

Median Annual Salary: $77,090
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 11%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 15,600

Students who enroll in a dental hygiene associate program graduate with technical oral hygiene skills and an understanding of dental science.

Courses on using the various instruments and equipment required for dental procedures are also included.

This curriculum is sufficient to enable a student to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and obtain certification as a dental hygienist.

However, they need to complete 60 courses.

Dental hygienists are specialists in oral health who concentrate mostly on preventative procedures.

This includes cleaning the teeth and gums, filling tooth fissures, and examining the patient’s mouth for indications of oral disorders.

They are also responsible for helping dentists with more difficult dental procedures by keeping all equipment clean and documenting each patient’s dental history.

6. Accounting

Median Annual Salary: $73,560
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 7%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 135,000

For individuals with a talent for working with numbers, associate degrees in accounting are among the top simple degrees that pay well.

These degrees include curricula in business, math, accounting, administration, and taxation.

Students can apply for internships to obtain practical experience after completing 60 to 65 credits of education.

Following that, individuals might decide to enroll in an accelerated bachelor’s program and pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensing test.

To strengthen their qualifications, students might also enroll in accountancy or certificate programs.

Accountants are in charge of recording transactions, examining discrepancies in financial data, conducting audits, and calculating taxes.

They could be requested to perform financial forecasting as an employee of a firm to give employers a precise picture of the state of their operations.

While doing so, they could be asked to provide guidance on tax preparation and regular revenue and spend tracking as a freelancer working with people.

Accounting graduates may find employment as bookkeepers, payroll clerks, accounts payable clerks, or accounting assistants, depending on their area of concentration.

7. Law Enforcement

Median Annual Salary: $67,290
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 7%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 67,100

One of the fast college degrees that pay well and offer some of the most stable careers available today is law enforcement.

In order to prepare students for the job, associate degree programs in this area focus on criminal justice, investigation techniques, and local legislation.

Although a degree is not strictly necessary for entry-level positions in this business, possessing at least an associate’s degree may provide you with a competitive advantage.

You might be able to move up in the field with its assistance.

By upholding local, state, and federal laws as well as regulations, police officers are entrusted with preserving peace and order within a community.

They frequently manage traffic, monitor neighborhoods, detain individuals, and look into suspicious activity.

Additionally, they record any instances that have been in writing for additional examination.

8. Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Studies

Median Annual Salary: $62,940
Projected Job Growth between 2020 and 2030: 34%
Estimated Openings Per Year: 8,800

Studies for occupational therapy assistants (OTA) are frequently two-year programs.

Principles of counseling and therapy, psychological research, and physiological ideas are a few of the key courses that are available in these programs.

In their second year of study, students must additionally complete a practicum.

Students must pass a licensing exam in order to practice professionally after receiving their degree.

However, patients’ treatment plans are created and carried out by occupational therapy assistants in close collaboration with therapists and doctors.

Through a variety of physical and mental exercises, they assist patients in their recovery and in developing the skills they need for day-to-day tasks.

Along with doing administrative tasks like filing a patient’s records, working with doctors, and the like, professionals in this sector also need to keep tabs on the patients they are caring for.

Why Should You Choose an Easy Degree?

Conventional college degrees look excellent on resumes. It acts as evidence that you put time and money into learning the skills required to enter the job and that you are well-versed in the field you wish to work in.

However, obtaining a college degree is not simple, according to statistics from American colleges.

Depending on your major, attending a university involves four to six years of study.

You could also need to juggle going to school and working a part-time job to pay for living expenses or pay for school-related expenses.

Although a standard degree may not be an option for everyone, even though many students believe they can handle this task.

In order to prevent having to take on a lot of debt in the future, they would like to start working earlier in life. The value of professional certificates and associate degrees in this situation.

Indeed, the remuneration packages for some occupations that need these qualifications may be on par with those for positions linked to well-known college degrees.

These are frequently considered to guarantee a high wage.

Among the reasons for choosing an easy degree are as follows:

1. Associate Degrees and Certification Programs are Cheaper

In the last several years, the cost of acquiring a bachelor’s degree has increased, with 47.9 million students accruing an average student loan debt of $35,453 apiece (Hanson, 2021).

On the other hand, associate degrees and certification programs include tuition and fees that are significantly less expensive and take less time to finish, allowing students to get around this issue.

This is one of the reasons why most individuals go for choosing an easy degree.

2. These Degrees are Easy to Complete

Professional certifications may be obtained in as little as three to six months, depending on the program you pick, and associate degrees only need 60 credits—half as many as bachelor’s degrees need.

This is one of the reasons for choosing an easy degree. It is also due to the fact that the degrees are quick to complete.

3. Plenty of Job Opportunities in Different Industries are Available

One may undoubtedly discover short degrees that pay well, with about 100 professions simply requiring an associate’s degree or a postsecondary nondegree award (Torpey, 2020).

This is one of the reasons for choosing an easy degree.

Conclusion

In the end, you should pursue a degree that you actually like rather than the one that looks to be the easiest since, eventually, the more you enjoy something, the simpler it is to complete it.

I hope you found this article helpful. Feel free to drop your suggestions and feedback in the comment section.

Frequently Asked Questions on easy degrees that pay well

Q: What 2 year degree makes the most money?

Electrical Engineering. ... Aeronautics. ... MRI Technology. ... Radiology Technology. ... Respiratory Therapy. ... Occupational Therapy. ... Mechanical Engineering. ... Network Engineering. Network engineers design, administer, and maintain local and wide-area network systems.

How many years is a master’s degree?

Although the length of time required varies from person to person, master’s degrees normally take two years to finish.

Your master’s degree may take you less time to complete, or it may take you more time, depending on your degree program and whether you’re attending school full- or part-time.

What courses can I do for 1 year?

Diploma in Child Health.
Diploma in Health Inspector.
Diploma in Audiology and Speech Therapy.
Diploma in Anaesthesia.
Diploma in Rural Healthcare.
Diploma in Yoga.
Diploma in Nursing.
Diploma in Radiology.

What 2-year degree makes the most money?

Electrical Engineering. …
Aeronautics. …
MRI Technology. …
Radiology Technology. …
Respiratory Therapy. …
Occupational Therapy. …
Mechanical Engineering. …
Network Engineering. Network engineers design, administer, and maintain local and wide-area network systems.

Which major is the easiest?

Business administration ranks as our #1 easiest college major because it has that perfect trio of low weekly homework load, high average GPA, and great ROI.

If you have solid business acumen, a head for figures, and a desire to work with people, it could be a great-fit major for you.

What are the most stressful majors?

According to recent research, the three majors that Americans are most anxious about are nursing, architecture, and medicine.

Compare this to classes relating to the arts, which students report make them feel less stressed on average, and STEM majors, which frequently rank as the most stressful degrees in the country.

FAQs

What 2 year degree makes the most money?

Electrical Engineering. …
Aeronautics. …
MRI Technology. …
Radiology Technology. …
Respiratory Therapy. …
Occupational Therapy. …
Mechanical Engineering. …
Network Engineering. Network engineers design, administer, and maintain local and wide-area network systems.

What major is the easiest?