How earning a bachelor’s degree can increase your earning potential

Here’s why a college education is a sound investment in your future.

As a working adult, we are constantly thinking of ways to climb the ladder as a means to advance at our current organization or find better job opportunities, increase our earnings, positively impact our finances and improve our overall quality of life. If you’ve recently considered prioritizing continuing your education and earning your degree as a means to reach these long-term goals, you’re not alone. 

According to a recent higher education trends report by Finances Online, non-traditional students, or adult learners, account for nearly 75% of students on college campuses. Many students are over 25, hold a full-time job, have a family of their own and other obligations that consume most of their time. Though going back to school is no small task, Rider’s continuing education programs offer special pathways to help adult learners like you return to school and pave the way for a brighter future. 

Keep reading to discover the ways earning your bachelor’s degree will help kick your career and income into high drive.

How a bachelor’s degree can increase your earnings

You will acquire skills that can lead to better opportunities.

Going to school to get your college degree not only prepares you for your intended path but also offers the opportunity to acquire transferable skills that aren’t tied to a specific field and can be carried throughout the lifetime of your career. 

In your courses, you’ll acquire the core technical, or hard, skills that will help you to become an expert in your field, but throughout your college career, you’ll also gain the needed soft skills that are important for success across any professional environment. The key soft skills that you’ll gain include effective communication, leadership, professionalism, critical thinking and time management. You will likely pick up these skills in courses, participation in discussions and group assignments and other activities you may encounter during your time in college.

You will have more chances to acquire practical, real-world experience. 

Colleges offer students numerous opportunities for career exploration and experience that they may not otherwise have access to. Experiential learning, or learning by doing, will allow you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. These opportunities include internships, cooperative programs, professional development, workshops, hands-on education, or the ability to assist faculty or other field professionals with research. 

At Rider, our signature Engaged Learning Program gives you the chance to learn by doing through real-world projects and hands-on experiences that are relevant to your major. The goal of this program is to bridge the gap between your studies and the industry awaiting you after graduation.

Additionally, Rider’s Career Services Office is staffed with career experts who can support you in finding experiential opportunities in various academic fields. They also specialize in career coaching to guide you on how to update your resume, prepare for an interview, or advise you on how you can use your prior knowledge and experience to get ahead.

You’ll be in higher demand. 

With your degree, job security and financial stability awaits. College graduates are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers who have only earned a high school diploma. Although some companies have shifted to skill-based hiring practices for certain entry-level roles, Fast Company reports that 53% of hiring managers insist that candidates should have specific education for the job that they’re applying for. Going to college allows you to obtain broad knowledge and targeted skills that set you apart from the competition and prepare you for career success.

Earning your degree can also give you the confidence to negotiate your salary, pursue leadership positions, or completely switch jobs — all of which can make a positive impact on your earnings over the lifetime of your career. Additionally, earning a degree allows you to build professional relationships with experienced individuals who can help you find new opportunities and gives you access to a network of fellow alumni who can leverage their industry experience and networks to help you.

You’ll gain a credential that can position you for financial stability.

A report by the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities shows that college degree holders outearn their peers with only a high school diploma by 84%, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor's degree holders earn 68% more per week than those with just a high school diploma. And, throughout a lifetime, college graduates on average earn over $1.2 million more than their peers without degrees. Having a degree offers an opportunity for upward mobility in more fields than none. 

When it comes to securing your future, it's imperative to play chess, not checkers, and execute strategic moves that will be worth the investment in the long run. Earning a college degree not only enhances your career prospects and earning potential but also opens doors to your dream job or a new career path. So, be confident in your decision to pursue higher education and set yourself up for a successful future.

Earn your bachelor’s degree from Rider University

We understand that deciding to return to school can be challenging for adults, but at Rider, we are committed to helping you comfortably fit education into your busy life. Our Continuing Education Program allows working adults the opportunity to pursue one of our 90 career-aligned academic programs at a low, per-credit rate. We offer programs with online, evening and accelerated courses and part-time options that allow you to learn at a pace that is right for you while developing the skills you need to be successful in the industry of your choice. 

Rider is also committed to helping adult students along the path to earning their degree through our variety of resources ranging from academic to financial, career and social support. Additionally, through a partnership with The State of New Jersey, we’re offering eligible new students financial assistance to ease the costs associated with getting back to school.