Across the nation, colleges are facing an enrollment crisis. This has led universities and colleges to think outside the box about how to increase enrollment, including heavily boosting scholarships. According to InsideHigherEd, institutions hungry for more students are increasing non-need-based aid by billions of dollars. With such assistance available, now is the time to get your degree in nursing; search all available options for the best fit.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 2.5 million new healthcare jobs to be created over the next decade. There are a large number of high-paying healthcare jobs, many of which don’t even require a 4-year degree. Top paying occupations in healthcare include Radiation Therapist, which pays $86,850 per year on average. Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn $79,590 per year to help to prepare compounds for imaging and treatment. A more familiar career, Dental Hygienist, earns $77,090 per year). Other high-paying careers include techs who do things like perform ultrasounds, EKG’s, CT Scans, and more. Programs for many of these careers can take as little as 12 months, while others can take 2 to 3 years. Some careers which pay over $40,000 require only a healthcare certificate from a credentialed program, which can be as short as 6 to 24 months. Salaries for some of these positions are Surgical Technologists ($49,710 per year), Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses ($48,820 per year), Massage Therapists ($43,620 per year), Medical Records and Health Information Technicians ($44,090 per year), and Dental Assistants ($41,180 per year). Specific requirements by state could vary, so please check the most up to date information in your area
Within healthcare, 12-month degrees in healthcare administration are prevalent, and this will earn you a Bachelor’s of Science. An Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing is a 12 month program that allows you to become a nurse if you have an existing bachelor’s degree in any other field.
There are many options for online degrees depending on what you’re looking for. OnlineU reports many institutions offering annual tuition for a variety of degrees as low as $4,613. OnlineMastersColleges reports 1-year master’s degrees with tuition of just $4,594. StraighterLine offers online courses starting at $59, which they say allow transfer to their 130+ partner institutions. According to U.S. News & World Report, you can gain admission to some of the most prestigious online bachelor’s programs in the country for about $300 per credit. So there is no need to sacrifice quality for price.
Six of the top ten fastest growing jobs are in healthcare, and this trend is expected to accelerate as America’s population ages. An online degree can help you get one of these hot jobs. There are opportunities available for all education levels, and educational advancement has never been easier with the growing availability of inexpensive online degrees.
Online degrees have many benefits over traditional programs. Online learning allows you to study whenever you want, from wherever you want and to create your own schedule. Using today’s modern online educational platforms, particularly post-virus, allows students to have an optimal work-life balance, and progress in their studies at their own pace. By striking a healthy balance that suits you best, you’ll be more likely to finish your new degree successfully.
There is more aid money available for students than ever, various kinds of grants which often don’t need to be paid back. The CollegeBoard reports the most recent (2019-20) total aid benefit of the average full-time equivalent (FTE) student is $14,940 per undergraduate student, and $27,310 per graduate student. Much of this pool, some $140.9 billion, is grants that do not need to be paid back. One of the most common grants is a Federal Pell Grant, which is based on your financial need for the money, not based on age, grades, test scores, or credit score. Adults of all ages should look into options like this to reduce or completely eliminate their out-of-pocket costs of an online degree. Institutions of higher learning are also more generous than ever, given their growing endowments. Together they will offer over $68 billion in money to students over the next school year. This money is being given away to encourage new students to attend school, better themselves, their family, and their future. Be sure to learn more about grants when performing your research.
In conclusion, an online degree offers a reliable way to cut costs and improve your earning potential without sacrificing on quality. Make sure to do your homework to find the best option for your budget, time, and future.