Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

What Is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree can be thought of as the first level of undergraduate education¹, and the bachelor's degree can be thought of as the second. However, it is not mandatory to earn an associate degree prior to pursuing a bachelor's.

Although both are considered undergraduate degrees, there are a few main differences between associate degree and bachelor's degree programs, summarized below:

Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

For some people, it can be. An associate degree can offer a faster, lower-cost route to a potential career path and can also serve as a steppingstone toward a bachelor's degree.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2025 associate degree holders had higher median weekly earnings and a lower unemployment rate than those who held only a high school diploma. Bachelor's degree holders, however, have even higher median weekly earnings², so whether an associate degree is worth it depends on your academic goals, budget and timeline.

Potential Career Paths You Can Pursue with an Associate Degree

What you can do with an associate degree depends on the field you study and the requirements of the career paths you want to pursue. Career-focused associate degree programs can help students develop foundational skills and knowledge in a field that interests them, while other associate programs may be designed primarily for transfer into a bachelor's program.

Cost and Time Compared to a Bachelor's

Associate degree programs typically require around 60 semester credits (equivalent to 90 quarter credits) and take about two years to complete, roughly half the time and coursework of a bachelor's degree program. Because they require fewer credits, they also tend to cost less.

Completion time can vary based on course load and prior college experience. Part-time enrollment may extend the timeline, while accelerated programs could help students finish sooner. Completing an associate degree in one year is generally uncommon for students starting without existing credits.

Restarting College After Time Away

If you never finished college, pursuing an associate degree can provide a shorter commitment than starting with a four-year program. Credits you previously earned may also transfer in and reduce the amount of coursework you have left to complete.*

Using an Associate Degree to Transfer Into a Bachelor's Program

Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are typically designed to transfer, and many universities have articulation agreements that can allow credits to apply toward a bachelor's degree.³ Applied degrees such as an AAS are more career-focused and may transfer less completely, so you should confirm transfer policies with the receiving school before enrolling.⁴

Course credits are not guaranteed to transfer to other schools. Transferability of credits is at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.

An Advantage of an Associate Degree Program

One advantage of an associate degree program is that after successfully completing roughly two years of study, you could graduate with a college degree. At that point, you have the option either to try and utilize your associate degree and pursue a career path or to advance your education in a bachelor’s degree program.

In contrast, when you “skip” an associate degree and dive right into pursuing a bachelor's degree, you are not awarded an associate degree halfway through the bachelor’s program. This means that if you take a break from your studies prior to graduation, you won't hold a college degree.

When a Bachelor's May Be the Better Choice

A bachelor's degree may be the better choice if your target career path requires one or if your priorities favor the higher median earnings associated with bachelor's degree holders. BLS data for 2025 shows a meaningful difference in median weekly earnings between associate and bachelor's degree holders, so it is important to consider the educational requirements of your intended career when comparing the two paths.

How to Decide What's Right for You

Whether you view an associate degree program as a steppingstone to a bachelor's degree program or an opportunity to develop foundational skills and knowledge in a field that interests you (or both), the right path depends on your academic goals.

Consider your target career path, how quickly you want to complete a degree, your budget, whether you may want to transfer into a bachelor's program and whether a career-focused or transfer-oriented associate degree best fits your plans.