What’s the best-kept secret in higher education?
The value of an Associate in Science degree.
In Florida, community college graduates who earn a two-year Associate in Science degree often earn higher starting salaries than college students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
The reason? A.S. degrees offer two years of specialized training in high-demand fields. At Valencia, for instance, students who earn an A.S. degree in cardiovascular technology are hired by hospitals and cardiologists to help place stents and detect a patient’s heart problems. Their average starting salary is $46,000, according to state data.
The Orlando Sentinel recently highlighted the value of an A.S. degree and featured Valencia students and programs. Click here to read the Orlando Sentinel article about A.S. degrees and salaries offered in Central Florida.