5 benefits of going back to school to finish your degree
5 benefits of going back to school to finish your degree
If you started a bachelor’s or master’s program but didn’t finish, there’s no time like the present to re-enroll, advance your education and earn your diploma! You may wonder if it’s worth the time and effort to earn that degree — it is! There are so many benefits to going back to school as an adult to finish what you started. Here are just a few advantages that should motivate you:
1. You’ll have more job opportunities.
Whether you want to continue in your current profession or make a career change, earning a degree will bring you closer to achieving your goals. Many jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Without a degree, there’s a strong chance your job application will be tossed aside, even if you meet all the other qualifications.
More job opportunities mean more stability and fewer concerns about unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for those with a high school diploma alone is 3.9%, whereas for those with a bachelor’s degree, it’s 2.2%. For those with a master’s, it’s even lower at 2%.
2. You’ll increase your earning potential.
Money isn’t everything — but it’s important, and it’s a huge reason to earn a degree. If you only have your high school diploma, earning a bachelor’s degree will set you up for significantly higher lifetime earnings. In fact, UNI grads with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $22,700 more than those with a high school degree alone.
If you keep going and get a master’s degree, there’s an average annual salary bump of more than $16,000. This means you have more savings, greater peace of mind and more disposable income to live the life of your dreams simply by putting in the work now to finish your degree.
3. Earning a degree online is more attainable and flexible than ever.
In the past, going back to school as a nontraditional student often meant attending in person — which made it more challenging. But now, thanks to online options, it’s increasingly flexible.
Earning a degree online often allows you to work on your own schedule, meaning that as long as you are meeting your deadlines, you can complete the work whenever it’s convenient. Online programs with a class time requirement typically meet one night a week.
When you think of the long-term advantages of earning a degree, this is very doable! You’ll still be able to work during the day and have time for family, hobbies and other commitments.
4. You’ll make valuable connections.
Earning a degree is a great way to network. Even if you already think you have a strong professional network, it’s always valuable to have more connections. From professors to guest speakers to your classmates and more, you never know when a connection might prove to be valuable by helping you learn or improve a skill or even opening a door to a job opportunity.
5. Going back to school improves self-confidence.
Nothing is better for your self-esteem than pursuing something challenging and actually accomplishing it. Getting a degree as a nontraditional student will challenge you in the best way possible. It will give you a fresh perspective and advance your skill set. This makes you better at your job and allows you to develop as a person, ultimately making you feel better about yourself. If a degree is something you’ve wanted for many years, finally being able to say you did it is so rewarding.
Now is the time - Return to UNI!
With all of these advantages in mind, hopefully you are thinking about going back to school to finish your degree as an adult. If you previously started coursework at the University of Northern Iowa — either for your undergraduate or graduate degree — we’d love to have you return. UNI offers a wide variety of degree options to help you come one step closer to meeting your professional goals.
To get started with earning a degree online or in-person, fill out the form on return.uni.edu.
