At first, we heard we needed a 4 year degree to get a good job. Then we heard we also needed a master’s degree because the market was so competitive. But now we see that there is a huge demand for some jobs that only require a 2 year degree. Associate degrees, from local, community, or even online colleges, are bound to be much cheaper than 4 year university programs too.

Advantages of 2 Year Degree Programs

Some advantages of 2 year degrees could include the ability to live at home, get flexible schedules, and work at your own pace. For instance, a local community college could be close to home so parents can save on dorm costs. Online classes can make it much easier to balance school with a job. In addition, a two year degree can provide entry into a better job market. College credits can be used later to complete a four year degree later too.

Some Hot 2 Year Degree Programs

• Dental Assistants – This profession has been growing, and has been taking over many duties that dentists used to perform.  Starting salaries may range around $17 an hour, but experienced dental assistants can earn $35 an hour or more. Most dentists will pay for more training too.
• Pharmacy Technicians – Assist a pharmacist in a commercial drug store or hospital. Look to make about $15 an hour to start, but get ready for potential growth. Pharmacy techs can move into supervision, or even use this move as a stepping stone to further education as a pharmacist.
• Small Business or Managment Accounting and Bookkeeping – You can earn a very practical 2 year accounting degree which can prepare you for state certification exams. You may specialize in one area, or in a small business, have a broad range of responsibility. This is good entry level education for a job with plenty of room for advancement, or even self employment as a bookkeeper, accountant, or tax preparer.

How Can You Find More 2 Year Degree Programs That Provide Entry into Hot Jobs?

You can look for online degree programs or contact your local community college for more information. You may save time with an online degree search.

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Lots of us have the same delimna. Should we save for college or a retirement plan. We have a limited amount of money that we can sock away, and of course, in an idea world we would save for both retirement and the kid’s college. But we know that we can only meet our goals by concentrating on one thing. So what should we do?

Jean Chatsky is an editor of More Magazine, and she says that retirement should come first. Is she telling us to be selfish? Maybe not. College loans, scholarships, grants, and work study programs exist for college. These programs are not available for retirement. She says to sit down with your kids and ask them if they would like to take some of the responsibility for their education, or if they would like to support you during retirement because you spent all of your money on them!

Also, people tend to value things more when they pay for them. If you child takes on some of the responsibility for finding college funding, either through filling out financial aid forms or using money from their own jobs, they will probably apply themselves more in school!

Now, neither of us are saying that you should not give your kids any money. Grades are important, and you want them to worry more about reaching for a high GPA then making minimum wage at Burger Barn. If you have a good retirement savings plan, then you can probably help them out during college years without sacrificing your golden years. Just use some common sense.

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You can hardly open a newspaper, read a news blog or watch a television news program without hearing about the rising cost of college tuition. Today even the standard student loan options seem threatened. Well you know what they say about the going gets tough and the tough get going. In this case, though I would say the tough get creative. Or to quote another colloquialism “where there is a will there is a way.”

Finding Affordable College on a Budget

One of the more popular alternative strategies is to take courses at your local community college for a year or two and then transfer to the desired school. Of course as always you have to do your homework before you choose this option. You must check with your desired college and see which courses they will accept as transfer credits. You have to do this every year or every semester if it is a semester only course.

Find Tuition Free College

Another alternative strategy is a tuition-free college degree. You can’t believe it? MSN money mentions three colleges – Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Cooper Union and Berea College that offer the tuition-free degrees. Apparently these schools have hefty endowments and underwrite every single student’s tuition bill.

International College Campus

MSN also mentions considering going outside the U.S. to pursue a degree. Their article mentions Ivy League-caliber McGill University in Montreal costs only $24,000 for international students. Of course they don’t mention the added expense of long underwear and snow boots.

Online College While Your Work or Live at Home

Remember the old correspondence course? Well, you may be too young to remember. You can get a college degree online and avoid the cost of commuting or having to relocate to another city or state to get a degree. Again, we would say do your homework and make sure it is a legitimate college.

Advanced College Placement in High School

Finally we suggest “College Express”. Now this one you have to start planning for in high school. Basically, shorten your college stay by taking Advanced Placement (AP )or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests to receive college credit for courses. High schools generally offer reduced test fees for their students for Advanced Placement exams.

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I know the promo code is not for a lot of money, but I think you’ll find that the prices on new and used textbooks at ECampus.com are already reduced enough to ease your budget a bit. You simply visit the website, and search for the textbooks you need. They offer free shipping on orders over $59 too!

Click Here For Cheap College Textbooks and Supplies

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Online College Supply Store

And even though they started as an online new and used college textbook site, you can also find cheap prices on supplies and college apparel! Just think about anything you would find at your own college bookstore, and you will probably find it online and cheaper!

Sell College Textbooks Too

When you need to sell your college textbooks back, they also promise to pay more and pay faster for your used books too!

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