Every credential, compared honestly.

Bachelor's Degree

Broad foundation plus a major. Strong signal for white-collar roles, required for most grad school.

• You want maximum career flexibility
• Employers in your field require a four-year degree
• You'd consider grad school later

Associate's Degree

Faster, cheaper, and often transferable to a 4-year program. Strong for healthcare, business support, IT.

• You want to test college without huge debt
• You plan to transfer credits later
• You're targeting a specific 2-year career

Trade & Certificate

Job-ready credentials: HVAC, welding, electrical, nursing, coding bootcamps, commercial driving.

• You want to be earning quickly
• You like working with your hands or systems
• You don't need a degree for the job you want

Graduate Degree

Master's, MBA, doctoral and professional programs. Required for many leadership and specialty roles.

• You're hitting a ceiling at work
• You're switching into a regulated profession
• You want to teach or research