Saturday, 5 May 2012

5 Reasons to Be Thankful for Diploma Programs

For Americans, the start of November signals time to begin thinking about the holiday season. While retailers may be moving full speed ahead toward the December holidays, over at Online-Education.net we wanted to take a moment and recognize Thanksgiving.
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, it seems appropriate to take a moment to consider one of the more frequently overlooked higher education options: the career diploma. Here are five reasons to be thankful for diploma programs.
Giving thanks for diploma program
1. No crazy college debt: Perhaps the most compelling reason to consider a diploma program is the skyrocketing cost of degrees. According to the College Board, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for a public four-year college or university is $8,244 for in-state students. Non-resident students pay $12,526, and private non-profit institutions charge more than double that amount. A recent report from The Project on Student Debt, an initiative of the Institute for College Access & Success, found that 2010 college seniors, on average, graduated with an eye-popping $25,250 in debt.
Thankfully, diploma programs cost significantly less than a bachelor's degree. However, the cost can vary significantly so check the price tag carefully before enrolling in any coursework. Make sure the program you select leads to a job that makes the tuition costs worthwhile.
2. Quick entry to the workforce: In addition to being less expensive than a degree, a diploma can be earned in less time. This is particularly important for adult learners or those who don't want to wait to start their career. Most diploma programs can be completed in less than a year and some may be done in as little as six months.
3. Access to the hottest career fields: Diploma programs are available in a wide range of specialties, including rapidly growing industries such as health care and information technology. Computer programming, medical billing, graphic design and health information technology are just a few of the diploma programs available to students today.
4. Good earning potential: While much is made of the earning potential of bachelor degree holders, those with a career diploma also have access to good paying jobs. Take, for example, surgical technologists. Diplomas for this occupation can be earned in as little as nine months, and the BLS found these workers had mean annual wages of $41,310 in 2010. Network and computer systems administrators, who may be able to enter the field with a career diploma, earn even more with mean annual wages of $72,200 in 2010.
5. Improved job satisfaction: If you are not motivated by money, you may be interested to learn that job satisfaction rises along with one's education level. Individuals with some post-secondary education report similar levels of job satisfaction as those with a bachelor's degree. An analysis by the College Board found 58 percent of those with some additional education or a degree were very satisfied with their jobs. That compared to 50 percent of high school graduates and 40 percent of those without a high school diploma.
This Thanksgiving, between the turkey and the football and the shopping, take the time to remember what makes this country great. The opportunities for education are endless and with a career diploma, you might find that, next year, you can be thankful for a great new job.

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