Set Yourself up for Career Success with a Bachelor’s Degree (2024)

In today’s competitive job market, a bachelor’s degree is often seen as a prerequisite for many professional careers. While it may not guarantee success, earning a bachelor’s degree can open up a world of opportunities and provide a solid foundation for your career.

Opening doors

A bachelor’s degree can improve your career prospects by increasing your job options. Many employers require a college degree as a minimum qualification for their entry-level positions. Having a degree may make you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of being hired. In addition, many industries offer higher-paying positions to individuals with a bachelor’s degree, which can lead to better job security and financial stability.

Increase earning and advancement potential with a degree

A bachelor’s degree can also improve your career advancement opportunities. Earning a degree demonstrates a commitment to your education and a willingness to learn and grow. Many employers offer opportunities for career advancement to employees who show potential and dedication. With a degree, you may be eligible for promotions or leadership roles that require higher levels of education.

Earning a bachelor’s degree also increases your earning potential. According to the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) the earnings gap between college graduates and those with less education continues to widen. In 2021, median income for recent graduates reached $52,000 a year for bachelor’s degree holders aged 22–27. For high school graduates the same age, median earnings are $30,000 a year. Per the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, those with a college degree earn, on average, 75% more over the course of their lifetime.

Soft skills and networking

Furthermore, a bachelor’s degree can help you develop important skills that are essential for success in any career. Many degree programs require students to complete coursework in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These soft skills are valuable in any industry and can help you succeed in your career.

In addition, earning a bachelor’s degree can provide beneficial networking opportunities. Colleges and universities offer numerous opportunities to connect with peers, professors, and industry professionals. Joining clubs or organizations related to your field of study can help you develop relationships with people who may be able to offer guidance or job opportunities in the future.

While it may require a significant investment of time and money, the benefits of a degree can be well worth it. A bachelor’s degree can improve your job options, increase your earning potential, provide opportunities for career advancement, and help you develop important skills and connections that can benefit you throughout your career.

Interested in a bachelor’s degree from EKU Online?

Earn your bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university that has been an online education leader for over 15 years. Our flexible, online format provides students the ability to complete coursework and assignments according to their schedule.

Complete the form to learn more about how EKU’s online general studies program can help advance your career.

Set Yourself up for Career Success with a Bachelor’s Degree (2024)

FAQs

Set Yourself up for Career Success with a Bachelor’s Degree? ›

Many degree programs require students to complete coursework in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These soft skills are valuable in any industry and can help you succeed in your career. In addition, earning a bachelor's degree can provide beneficial networking opportunities.

Can you be successful with a bachelor's degree? ›

College-educated workers enjoy a substantial earnings premium. On an annual basis, median earnings for bachelor's degree holders are $40,500 or 86 percent higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma. The earnings gap between college graduates and those with less education continues to widen.

How can I make 100k a year with a bachelor's degree? ›

Six-figure jobs with a bachelor's degree
  1. Financial manager. National average salary:$102,857 per year Primary duties: Financial managers help improve a company's financial health. ...
  2. Development director. ...
  3. Aeronautical engineer. ...
  4. Sales engineer. ...
  5. Software engineer. ...
  6. Architect. ...
  7. Actuary. ...
  8. Chief executive officer (CEO)

Is it easier to get hired with a bachelor's degree? ›

Increased Access to Job Opportunities

For example, college graduates see 57 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates.

Can you make six figures with a bachelor's degree? ›

Jobs that pay over $100,000 per year with a bachelor's degree can be found in several industries and sectors. Whether it's healthcare or technology, jobs that require a four-year degree are widely available. We compiled a list of jobs where you can apply your degree and potentially earn over $100,000 per year.

Is a bachelor's degree worth it anymore? ›

College graduates still earn higher wages and have lower unemployment rates than workers with only a high school diploma. However, industries that don't require a bachelor's degree, like manufacturing, construction and hospitality, often pay well and see steady economic demand.

Does a bachelor's degree matter anymore? ›

The Burning Glass Institute recently reported that the percentage of jobs requiring a college degree fell from 51% in 2017 to 44% percent in 2021. And according to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults ages 18 to 29 who view college education as “very important” dropped from 74% to 41% in just six years.

What BA degree makes the most money? ›

Five Highest-Paying Bachelor's Degrees
  1. Petroleum Engineering. The average salary for a petroleum engineer is $131,800. ...
  2. Aeronautics and Astronautics. ...
  3. Actuarial Mathematics. ...
  4. Computer Science. ...
  5. Business Computing.
Apr 8, 2024

What is the most employable degree? ›

They crunched the data to reveal the employment rate and the graduate salary associated with it. Interestingly the degrees that will give you the best chance of being employed quickly are medicine and dentistry, education and veterinary science.

What 1 year degree makes the most money? ›

What Are the Highest-Paying Associate Degrees?
  • Aviation Maintenance.
  • Respiratory Therapy.
  • Radiologic and MRI Technology.
  • Electrical Engineering Technology.
  • Occupational Therapy Assistance.
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology.
  • Industrial Engineering Technology.
  • Electro-Mechanical Technology.

What is the hardest bachelors degree to earn? ›

What are the most difficult university degrees in the world?
  • Chartered Accountancy.
  • Astrophysics.
  • Quantum Mechanics.
  • Law.
  • Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
  • Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
  • Nursing.
  • Dentistry, Medicine.
Nov 17, 2023

Why is it so hard to find a job with a bachelor's degree? ›

The job market is extremely competitive, as more and more Americans attain college degrees. Furthermore, employers are requiring unrealistic professional experience for entry-level positions, making it difficult for recent graduates to compete in the job market.

Is having a bachelors degree impressive? ›

Simply put, the answer is yes. A wealth of evidence indicates that professionals enjoy higher pay, better advancement opportunities, and significant boosts in career and life satisfaction upon earning their bachelor's degree.

What degree will get me 100K a year? ›

Those looking to enter this field may want to consider earning a bachelor's degree in an analytics subject like actuarial science, mathematics or statistics. Actuaries earned a median yearly salary of $113,990 in 2022, with job prospects expected to grow by 23% over the next decade, according to BLS data.

How can I make $100,000 a year without a degree? ›

9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
  1. Information systems manager. ...
  2. Fire chief. ...
  3. Product manager. ...
  4. Senior engagement manager. ...
  5. Radiation therapist. ...
  6. Computer network architect. ...
  7. Senior real estate manager. ...
  8. Technical program manager.
Apr 18, 2024

How many millionaires have bachelors degree? ›

72.5% of millionaires are self-made. 20.1% of millionaires became rich through a mix of inheritance and personal earnings. 7.4% of millionaires inherited all of their wealth. 84% of millionaires have a Bachelor's degree.

What is the success rate of bachelor's degrees? ›

There were 56.0% more bachelor's degrees conferred in 2022 than there were in 2002. 2-year institutions average a 30.3% graduation rate. Among students at 4-year institutions, the graduation rate is 52.0%. College graduation rates at public institutions have increased by 9.2% since 2013.

Is it okay to just have a bachelor's degree? ›

While some careers do require specific degree programs, for many entry-level bachelor's degree jobs just having a 4-year degree is enough to get started. If you're still wondering which degree offers the most job opportunities, keep reading to explore some of the best bachelor's degree jobs across many fields.

Can you get a job with just a bachelor degree? ›

In many career fields, a bachelor's degree is considered an entry-level degree. In fact, some careers and employers do not care whether or not you have a degree in their particular field, as long as you have a bachelor's degree.

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