16 Quick Degrees That Pay Well

While a college degree is typically the key to a job with substantial earning potential, it takes valuable time to complete. You may be looking for a degree that will qualify you for a career with a competitive salary, but you may not want to spend a lot of time working toward this degree.

Fortunately, accelerated programs are offered at many colleges and universities for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

Explore our guide here to learn more about high-paying, quick degree options available to you.

Also keep in mind that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary across all occupations was $48,060 as of May 2023. The “high-paying salaries” listed below all fall above that number.

Relatedly, the following BLS job outlook data for the period between 2023 and 2033 can be measured against the projected national average job growth rate of 4% across all occupations for that same time period.

Typically, an associate degree takes about two years to complete. However, accelerated associate degrees can take just 6-12 months to complete.

An associate degree in healthcare or technology, in particular, can make you eligible for high-paying jobs. Just keep in mind that there are very few jobs you can get with an associate degree that will pay you a six-figure salary.

Paralegals work for lawyers at law firms, doing research and helping them prepare for trials and litigation. It usually takes about two years to become a paralegal.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for paralegals and legal assistants is $60,970 as of May 2023.

The BLS projects employment for paralegals and legal assistants to grow by just 1% from 2023 to 2033.

Accelerated associate programs in marketing will teach you the principles of marketing, including social media, business finance and accounting, and marketing communications. An associate degree in marketing can also create a pathway for you to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

An associate degree in marketing typically takes about 60-63 credits to complete. In an accelerated program, however, you can take additional courses on a flexible schedule to complete it faster.

With just an associate degree, you can obtain employment as an advertising sales agent, though some employers may require a bachelor’s degree. These professionals earned a median annual salary of $61,270 in 2023, according to the BLS. It’s worth noting, however, that the BLS projects a 7% drop in employment for these workers from 2023 to 2033.

While employment requirements may vary by employer, it typically requires an associate degree to be an electrical and electronic engineering technologist and technician. In this role, you would assist engineers in designing and developing computers and other electronic equipment.

According to the BLS, electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians earned a median annual salary of $72,800 in 2023. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to grow by 3% from 2023 to 2033.

Qualifications to become a funeral service worker or manager usually include being at least 21 years of age, completing an associate program in funeral service or mortuary science, having two years of training, and passing a state licensing exam. In these roles, you’ll organize and manage the details of a funeral, offer counsel to grieving families, and prepare the remains of the deceased.

Funeral service workers earn a median annual salary of $60,580 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. The BLS projects a job growth rate of 4% for these professionals between 2023 and 2033.

Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians usually need an associate degree in engineering technology or a related field.

As of May 2023, aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians earned a median annual salary of $77,830, according to the BLS. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033.

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technicians need an associate degree or postsecondary credential. You will also need to complete certification to qualify for this role, and specialization certifications can help you increase your earning potential.

According to the BLS, diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians earn a median annual salary of $80,850 as of May 2023. The BLS projects employment for these professionals to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033.

Earning your bachelor’s degree can increase your earning potential and expand your career options. Typically, it takes four years to complete a bachelor’s program, though some schools offer online or accelerated bachelor’s degree programs that allow you to graduate faster.

An accelerated bachelor’s degree in business can take 2-3 years to complete. While you will still likely have to complete 120 credits, the schedule and the classes can be condensed or offered in a flexible manner. In fact, more and more schools are offering three-year bachelor’s programs.

Your business degree can help prepare you for a role in accounting, marketing, human resources, or management. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for business occupations was $79,050 in May 2023, and employment for business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average rate for all occupations from 2023 to 2033.

A cybersecurity degree makes you eligible for a career in a fast-growing industry. Typically, it takes about four years to enter this field, but online and accelerated programs can have you ready to enter the job market in around two years. Some programs have options for you to specialize in areas like computer forensics or software security.

Information security analysts are one of the more common jobs within the field of cybersecurity, and the BLS reports that these workers earned a median annual salary of $120,360 in 2023. The BLS projects that employment for this profession will grow by 33% from 2023 to 2033, which is more than eight times the national average rate for all occupations.

Healthcare administration jobs are nonclinical jobs in the healthcare industry where you will likely oversee healthcare services in medical offices. An accelerated healthcare administration bachelor’s degree can be earned in as little as 1-2 years.

As of May 2023, medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of $110,680, according to the BLS. The organization projects a job growth rate of 29% between 2023 and 2033 for this role, which is more than seven times the national average.

Some employers may require a master’s degree for professionals in this role, however, while others may allow work experience to substitute for advanced education.

Economics majors can pursue careers in banking, insurance, or government policy. Many economics jobs require a master’s degree, but some employers, particularly the government, will hire applicants with just a bachelor’s degree.

According to the BLS, economists earn a median annual salary of $115,730 as of May 2023. The projected job growth for economists between 2023 and 2033 is 3%.

A mathematics bachelor’s program will teach you the basics of statistics, mathematical computing, and other topics within math. An accelerated program can have you completing your mathematics degree in 2-3 years.

Many jobs in mathematics and statistics require a master’s degree, but some employers will hire you with just a bachelor’s degree.

As of May 2023, mathematicians and statisticians earn a median annual salary of $104,860, according to the BLS. The organization projects employment for these roles to grow by 11% between 2023 and 2033.

Earning a master’s degree in a health- or STEM-related field can help you enter some of the highest-paying industries in the country. Typically, having a master’s degree will earn you more than an associate or bachelor’s degree.

However, you generally need to possess a bachelor’s degree in order to apply for a master’s program. The average master’s program lasts about two years.

IT and computer science jobs include software development, systems analysis, and database administration. An accelerated computer science master’s program can help you qualify for these roles and typically takes 12-18 months.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for computer and IT jobs was $104,420 in May 2023. The BLS also projects employment for computer and IT occupations to grow much faster than the average rate among all jobs.

After earning your master’s in engineering degree, you can go on to become an aerospace engineer, agricultural engineer, chemical engineer, or environmental engineer, depending on what areas you decide to direct your focus.

The median annual salary for engineering occupations was $91,420 in May 2023, according to the BLS. The organization projects employment for these jobs to grow faster than the average rate among all occupations.

It typically takes two years to complete your MBA. Some programs allow you to earn an MBA in as little as one year. Considering how many jobs with competitive salaries you can qualify for with this degree, you can potentially secure a strong return on your investment across an array of professional options.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for management occupations was $116,880 and $79,050 for business and financial occupations as of May 2023. The BLS projects a faster-than-average job growth rate for both of these categories.

A master of science in nursing (MSN) program can help prepare you for many different careers in nursing. With an MSN, you can qualify for jobs with among the highest earning potential out of all the nursing roles.

For example, according to the BLS, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $129,480 in 2023. The BLS projects employment for these roles to grow by 40% from 2023 to 2033, which is 10 times the projected job growth rate for all occupations.

Accelerated accounting degree programs can help you save time and money and typically offer more flexible schedules. As an accountant, you will prepare and examine financial records.

As of May 2023, the median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $79,880, according to the BLS. The organization projects a 6% job growth rate for these roles from 2023 to 2033.