Whether you never went to college, had to stop, or are looking to advance in your career, returning to school for a healthcare degree pays big dividends! Research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the average weekly wage earners for a high school graduate is $781; by completing an associate degree, weekly earnings go up to $877. Wages continue to increase from there; in fact, earning a master’s degree almost doubles the earnings of a high school diploma! In addition, the unemployment rate drops dramatically with education level.
Earning an online healthcare degree guarantees a salary you can live on. In addition, allied healthcare professions are growing at an incredible rate so you’ll have a job after graduation. For example, becoming a phlebotomist will earn you $36,000 a year or more and the profession is going to grow by 22%. Earning an online social work degree provides you with a $50,000+ salary a year. As an occupational therapy assistant you’ll earn nearly $62,000 a year with a incredible 35% grow rate in jobs over the next 10 years. If becoming a nurse practitioner is your dream there are online programs for that as well.
While the statistics back up the value of pursuing your dream of earning a healthcare degree, there are some challenges to overcome. An online education may be just the ticket as you continue working, juggling family responsibilities, and keeping finances in check. Here are 5 benefits to an online program to consider.
- Adaptability to your schedule. Imagine getting schoolwork done during your child’s soccer practice or while caring for an aging parent. An online education brings flexibility working adults need. Maybe you have a great full-time job you need to keep while earning your degree. With an online program, you can keep your job, take care of your family, and do schoolwork when it’s convenient for you.
- Your choice of programs. Unlike a student fresh out of high school, you probably can’t move to attend school. Instead, you are limited to whatever schools and programs exist within a commuting radius. This can be challenging, given 14% of the US population does not have local access to a college. With an online program, you can find what’s best for you and still maintain those roots at home.
- Save money learning from home. How much can you save? An average community college student lives about 10 miles from school so over the course of a year, it can cost about $1700. That’s just the cost of commuting!
- Skip the commute-save time. More difficult to calculate is the cost of your time lost driving each day. Whether it cuts into your ability to work or maintain family relationships, it can be a high price to pay.
- Work at your pace. Have you ever been in a class where the teacher glosses over a topic that you need a little more time to digest? With an online program, you may be able to stop and listen again until you are ready to move on. On the flip side, sometimes you may be able to breeze through the material; online programs can be more self-paced than a traditional education.
It’s your time to go to school and work toward the future you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you are changing careers or going back to finish what you started, an online degree can help you accomplish what you’ve set out to do. Remember: You are not alone! In fact, over 7 million Americans enrolled in distance-learning education courses in 2019. Completing an online program may be just the ticket to reach your goals as a healthcare professional.