Best Jobs for Community College Graduates

Best Jobs for Community College GraduatesBest Jobs for Community College GraduatesMany high school students overlook community colleges when considering higher education. According to theCommunity College Research Center, 8.7 million students attended community colleges in 2016-2017. 34 percent of all undergraduate students attended school at the community college level. Why are community colleges worth a serious look in todays higher education marketplace? Reasons to Consider Community College Cost Savings Why consider a community college instead of a four-year college? Certainly, cost is one factor. According to theCollege Board, the average tuition for in-state students at public two-year colleges (the typical community college) for 2018-2019 was $3,660, while public four-year colleges charged $26,290 and private colleges had anaverage tuition costof $35,830. In addition, over a dozen states now offer some form offree community college education. Job Opportunities Anot her compelling reason to consider community colleges is the rapid rate of growth anticipated in occupations requiring an associates degree - the degree typically offered at community colleges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that associates degree jobs will grow by 17.6% by 2022, while bachelors degree jobs will grow by 12.1%. profil Income Income level is yet another reason to consider a community college degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, two-year college graduates earned an average of $42,952 asof the third quarter of 2018, while high school graduates earned an average of only $38,272. A major reason for the relatively high growth rates and income levels of community college jobs is the specialized nature of many of the degrees. Community college students often study disciplines inwhich they develop skills that are readily applicablein the marketplace. The vast majority of the highest paying associates degreejobs (and those with the highest projecte d growth rates) fall into three categories healthcare, engineering and other areas of technology. All of these segments are experiencing an above-average expansion in employment opportunities due to economic trends. Top 17 Best Jobs for Community College Graduates Of course, the best jobs for associates degreeholders will vary based on the unique skills, interests and values that you bring to the table. Two major considerations will be income potential and the availability of jobs. Heres a list of two-year degrees with solid income and growth potential, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics Construction managersattracted an average salary of $91,370 asof May 2017, but keep in mind the fact that they usually had acquiredseveral years construction experience in conjunction with their degree. Construction manager jobs are expected to grow by 11% by 2026. However, construction is a very cyclical field where opportunities will fluctuate greatly betweenperiodsofeconomicexpansion to recessions. Diagnostic medical sonographersvacanciesare expected to experience growth of 23% or higher by 2026, with an average income of $55,270 asof May 2017. Dental hygienistsjobsare expected to grow at a much higher-than-average rate of 20% by 2026.On average they earned $74,070 asof May 2017. Registered nurserolesandradiation therapistjobsboth are slated for growth rates between 13-15% by 2026, with average salaries of $70,000 and $80,570 respectively,asof May 2017. Opportunities forveterinary technologists and techniciansare expected to expand 20% by 2026, with an average salary of $33,400 asof May 2017. Vacanciesforenvironmental science and protection techniciansandenvironmental engineering techniciansare both expected to grow 13-15% by 2026.They garnered average salaries of $45,490 and $50,230 respectively,asof May 2017. Civil engineering technicianjobsare expected to grow by an average of 9% by 2026 and had an average salary of $51,620,asof May 2017. Geologic and petrole um technicianjobsareforecastto expand 16% by 2026.They had an average income of $54,190 asof May 2017. Jobs forfuneraldirectorsare expected to increase 5% by 2026 and attracted an average salary of $56,850,asof May 2017. Paralegals and legal assistantscan expect job growth of about 15% through 2026. The average salary for this field was $50,410 asof May 2017. Jobs forweb developersaresuggestedto expand15% by 2026 and they attracted an average salary of $67,990 asof May 2017. Respiratory therapists and radiologic technologistsare predicted to experience job growth of 23% and 13% respectively by 2026 and earned average salaries of about $60,000,asof May 2017. Physical therapy assistantsandoccupational therapy assistantsare expected to experience job growth of 29-31% by 2026 and had average salaries of $57,430 and $59,310 respectively,asof May 2017. For more information on these jobs and for information on other career options flowing from a community college degree, consult theOccupat ional Outlook Handbook.