<p>Pay by program major, lots of other info--but only in few states. Names names too.</p>
<p><a href="http://t.co/nve1l6wf5F%5B/url%5D">http://t.co/nve1l6wf5F</a></p>
<p>Great info. I wish there were more states in the data. Makes me wish I had gone into Petroleum Engineering in TX.</p>
<p>This document has WAY too much emphasis on first-year earnings.</p>
<p>I would bet there is substantial correlation between 1st yr and LT earnings. Also lifetime data hard to get and what does it mean anyway? The college effects wear away over time.</p>
<p>There are some fields where you train for a specific job and keep that job, rather than progressing up a career ladder. Here I am thinking of things like dental hygiene (or for that matter, dentistry). Once a hygienist, always a hygienist. Once a dentist, always a dentist.</p>
<p>On the other hand, there are fields where there are definitely career ladders. Here, the culinary field comes to mind. Today’s prep cook may become a head chef 10 years from now. Retail also is like this. Today’s sales clerk is tomorrow’s supervisor and may be in charge of the whole store 10 years from now. </p>
<p>I suspect that the relationship between 1st year and LT earnings in the first type of job is quite different from that in the second.</p>
<p>Another thought- job skills versus getting an education. There is a lot more to life than just working/earning the most money. Quality of life, not just quantity of goods acquired.</p>
<p>Without decent income QOL pretty much sucks for most. Also good job does not preclude additional learning. You can take classes at home easily and cheaply as you wish. Many more ready to learn at 35 than 18. Also shorter programs can be better for those with limited funds for college.</p>
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<p>However, not every prep cook becomes a head chef, not every sales clerk becomes a store manager, not every private/seaman/airman or lieutenant/ensign becomes a general/admiral, and not every entry-level corporate employee becomes CEO. So while there may be a career ladder, it may be one where lots of people fall off climbing it.</p>
<p>I have a 2 year degree. Been in my field for over 25 years. Progressed from draftsman/designer to a high managerial role. Have done lots of things with the experience I’ve stacked up over the years.</p>
<p>I’m a believer that 4 year school is not the answer for everyone and a 2 year degree, or a community college can offer the opportunity to “get an education”. Our CC actually has several 4 year degrees available - there is just about every liberal arts and fine arts class available there that would be available in Freshman or Sophomore year at most 4 year schools.</p>
<p>Not dissing a 4 year education…not at all - sending my kids to get theirs. EQUALLY, not dissing a 2 year eduation. Obviously, it’s been good for me.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting this!</p>
<p>I sent this article along with the Rolling Stone article on the college loan “scam” to a school committee member, parents group, and local education foundation. Our school has always been pretty good about encouraging many paths for students, but there has been more forceful emphasis on 4 year college for all in the last couple of years, with new administrators and guidance. </p>
<p>I thought this article’s conclusions on two year career-oriented associates and longer certificate programs was really really hopeful. I cannot believe the number of kids with staggering loans and no jobs, that I know locally. </p>
<p>Some kids have talents and interests that really do oblige us to send them to 4 year (usually residential) schools. In that case, studying philosophy or psychology or music or literature may be the most important thing, and the best thing to do is avoid huge debts one way or the other so that the relatively lower starting salary (not necessarily permanent) is not such a huge problem.</p>