Colleges awarded roughly the same number of associate degrees and certificates combined (1.95 million) in 2016 as bachelor's degrees (1.92 million), according to a new report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce. Though the authors describe the four-year degree as the "gold standard" for stable employment, they found that depending on field of study, workers with an associate degree can earn more than someone with a bachelor's. In some cases, certificate holders can outearn those with a bachelor's. The center's analysis highlights the growing focus on alternative credentials, which comes as colleges look for ways to make their programs available to a wider range of prospective students than before.
https://www.educationdive.com/news/report-students-earn-associate-degrees-certificates-at-equal-rates-to-bac/571344/
