--- title: Why Affording College Should Be the Least of Your Concerns description: You cannot afford NOT to get your degree, w/ the benefits being a college grad brings. Learn how to get your degree in less time & with less cost. image: http://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/iStock_000020646255_Small.jpg --- Call Today [(888) 900-8380](tel:8889008380) [Student Login](http://achievetestprep.force.com/) [![logo](https://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/logo.svg "logo")](https://atpco.io/) - [NURSING DEGREES](https://atpco.io/medical) - PROGRAMS - BRIDGE PROGRAMS - [• LPN to RN](https://atpco.io/lpn-to-rn-programs) - [• LPN to BSN](https://atpco.io/lpn-to-bsn-program) - [• Paramedic to RN](https://atpco.io/paramedic-to-rn-program) - [• Paramedic to BSN](https://atpco.io/paramedic-to-bsn-programs) - [• CNA to RN](https://atpco.io/cna-to-rn-programs) - [• Medical Assist to RN](https://atpco.io/medical-assistant-to-rn-program) - [• EMT to RN](https://atpco.io/emt-to-rn) - [• Surgical Tech to RN](https://atpco.io/surgical-tech-to-rn-program) - [• LPN to N Practitioner](https://atpco.io/lpn-to-nurse-practitioner) - [• LPN to Physician Asst](https://atpco.io/lpn-to-physician-assistant) - [• RN to BSN](https://atpco.io/rn-to-bsn-programs) - FULL DEGREE PROGRAMS - [• Nursing](https://atpco.io/rn-bsn-programs) - [• Respiratory Therapy](https://atpco.io/respiratory-therapist-healthcare) - [• Physician Assistant](https://atpco.io/physician-assistant) - [• Healthcare](https://atpco.io/healthcare-degrees) - MISC PREP COURSES - [• NCLEX PN Prep](https://atpco.io/nclex-pn) - [• NCLEX RN Prep](https://atpco.io/nclex-rn-review) - COLLEGES - [• College List](https://atpco.io/earn-your-degree-from-a-fully-accredited-school) - [• Accreditation](https://atpco.io/accreditationnursing) - [• Credit Transfer](https://atpco.io/transferring-credits-nursing) - HOW IT WORKS - [• How it Works](https://atpco.io/credit-by-examination) - [• About Us](https://atpco.io/about-us) - [• FAQs](https://atpco.io/faq-rn-bridge-programs) - [• Customer Support](https://atpco.io/customer-academic-support) - [• Students Against Busywork](https://atpco.io/students-against-busywork) - [• Benefits](https://atpco.io/benefits-rn-bridge-program) - [• Class Schedule](https://atpco.io/class-schedule) - CUSTOMER SUCCESS - [• Nursing Reviews](https://atpco.io/college/Testimonials) - [• Exam Results](https://atpco.io/exam-results) - [• Achieve Customer Support](https://atpco.io/customersupport) - [• Job Placement](https://atpco.io/jobkeyplacementassistance) - [• Blog](https://atpco.io/rn-bridge-program-blog) - [• Nursing Success Stories](https://atpco.io/testimonials-b) - [COLLEGE DEGREES](https://atpco.io/student) - PROGRAMS - [• Business](https://atpco.io/business-degree) - [• Computer Science](https://atpco.io/computer-science-degree) - [• Criminal Justice](https://atpco.io/criminal-justice-degree) - [• Dental Hygienist](https://atpco.io/dental-hygienist-programs) - [• Education](https://atpco.io/education-degree) - [• Fire & Emergency Management](https://atpco.io/fire-and-emergency-management) - [• Fire Science](https://atpco.io/fire-science-degree-program) - [• Healthcare](https://atpco.io/healthcare-degrees) - [• Pharmacist](https://atpco.io/pharmacist-programs) - COLLEGES - [• College List](https://atpco.io/accredited-colleges) - [• Accreditation](https://atpco.io/accreditation) - [• Credit Transfer](https://atpco.io/transferring-credits) - HOW IT WORKS - [• How it Works](https://atpco.io/credit-by-examination-student) - [• About Us](https://atpco.io/about-us) - [• FAQs](https://atpco.io/faq) - [• Customer Support](https://atpco.io/customer-academic-support) - [• Students Against Busywork](https://atpco.io/students-against-busywork) - [• Benefits](https://atpco.io/benefits-bridge-program-student) - [• Class Schedule](https://atpco.io/class-schedule) - STUDENT SUCCESS - • Reviews - [• Exam Results](https://atpco.io/exam-results) - [• Achieve 911](https://atpco.io/customersupport) - [• Job Placement](https://atpco.io/jobkeyplacementassistance) - [• Blog](https://atpco.io/college) Search S [![Request More Info](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/133275/cdbd43ae-7bc2-4364-9a87-d8a5649150a8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/133275/cdbd43ae-7bc2-4364-9a87-d8a5649150a8) ## Why Affording College Should Be the Least of Your Concerns ![affording_college](http://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/iStock_000020646255_Small.jpg "affording_college")Are you questioning whether you can afford college? Does the student loan debt average of over $30,000 cause you concern? Figures from a recent Pew Research Center survey indicate that affording college should be the least of your worries. This, and studies like it, show that you cannot afford NOT to go to college. Let’s look at why that’s the case, and then look at how credit-by-exam programs like those from Achieve Test Prep can lessen the financial burden. ## Higher Gap than Ever Between College Grads and the Less Educated The 2014 Pew Research Center survey indicates that, when compared with previous generations, today’s Millennials face a greater disparity between the economic well-being of those with college degrees and those without. It is true that the actual difference in pay hasn’t grown as sharply, however the college graduate will still bring in, on average, $17,500 more annually than those holding just a high school diploma will make. Those with an advanced degree can make an average of $2 million more over their lifetime! More importantly, the college graduate is more likely to be employed full time and overall significantly less likely to be unemployed. This is where the real discrepancy appears. More and more employers are looking for college graduates for all types of positions – not only for the knowledge, but for the personality traits and skill sets a college degree indicates. The survey also shows that those with a college degree are far more likely to say their job is a career choice or a step on the career ladder. They feel greater job satisfaction and are more confident they have the education and training to gain promotions. ## Should Cost Be a Factor? With 60% of the students deciding on a school based on financial aid, cost is something that is considered. However, the Pew survey shows that 86% of those who got their degrees say it was worth it. Interestingly, a Gallup poll taken in 2014 showed that the name of the college or university has little or no influence on job prospects. And a 2013 Pew Research Center survey found that public school graduates had the same economic well-being and job satisfaction as those graduating from the more expensive private universities. Studies like these show that the alternatives to a traditional four-year college can bring the same employment benefits and life satisfaction. It is important to note that getting some college education, without getting your degree, could be more financially damaging that not going at all. You won’t receive the employment benefits that the degree brings, but you will still be obligated to pay off any student debt. Obtaining that degree is very important. ## How Does Credit-by-Exam Help? We’ve seen that you simply cannot afford not to get your degree, with all the benefits being a college graduate brings. What would you think if you could get your degree in less time and less cost than going to a traditional four-year college? You could be in the workforce sooner, paying off that student debt faster, and on your way to a satisfying career before your peers. [Achieve Test Prep credit-by-exam](https://atpco.io/credit-by-examination-student) programs allow you to get a semester’s worth of credit in just a few weeks at a significantly lower cost. There’s no daily or weekly assignments, or papers to turn in. At the end of the prep course, you take one exam. That’s it. Pass and you receive your credit. If you have difficulties with the exam, Achieve’s 911 program allows you to receive one-on-one tutoring and retakes of the prep course at no additional cost. Your success is our number one goal. And it’s flexible in when and how the courses are offered. The sessions can be taken on location at one of our campuses across the country, or online in a live virtual classroom, which gives you the classroom experience from the convenience of your home. Courses are offered day and night, year round. You’ve read the benefits of a college degree, [call Achieve](https://atpco.io/contact-us) today to find out how to make that degree more affordable and faster to obtain. ## [DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GUIDE ON “HOW TO AFFORD COLLEGE”](http://www.achievetestprep.com/how-to-afford-college-guide) For more tips and insights into the options available to you to help make college affordable, no matter who you are, click [HERE](http://www.achievetestprep.com/how-to-afford-college-guide) to download our free guide “[How to Afford College”](http://www.achievetestprep.com/how-to-afford-college-guide)   Topics: [College Affordability](https://atpco.io/college/topic/college-affordability) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque vitae convallis lectus. ![lady-on-call-image](https://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/Achievetestprep_Nov2018/lady-on-call-image.jpg) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam libero eros, dapibus vitae eleifend et, dapibus vel felis. Nulla condimentum sem a venenatis aliquam. Nam at nunc eget neque blandit bibendum sit amet et purus. Nulla nec tellus venenatis, sodales enim ut, sagittis nibh. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Etiam dapibus, lorem in suscipit interdum, enim leo vulputate mauris, quis rhoncus ex nisi sed ex. Suspendisse ornare venenatis quam, sed feugiat nisi interdum nec. Curabitur eget pulvinar velit, sed pellentesque nulla. Proin non hendrerit quam, sit amet placerat lorem. Fusce nisi tellus, vestibulum vitae elit pretium, luctus aliquet massa. Quisque ultricies magna est, nec aliquam neque dignissim rutrum. Aliquam cursus orci nibh, ut scelerisque ipsum pellentesque in. Donec molestie ex nec neque egestas, et posuere orci tristique. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Nam finibus euismod arcu, vel tristique augue ornare nec. Vestibulum tristique dapibus ullamcorper. Fusce vel orci nec diam tempor pellentesque. Suspendisse sit amet felis sed nisl efficitur condimentum nec vel turpis. Aenean mauris elit, cursus eget est at, pretium vehicula lectus. Pellentesque imperdiet ut magna sed rhoncus. Suspendisse viverra elit a semper porta. Praesent eu lacus tortor. Suspendisse at velit leo. Morbi a mi mauris. Fusce ut condimentum diam. Nullam aliquam rhoncus venenatis. Etiam est diam, congue ac faucibus ac, luctus id nisi. ![Blog-post-image](https://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/Achievetestprep_Nov2018/Blog-post-image.jpg "Blog-post-image") Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nullam libero eros, dapibus vitae eleifend et, dapibus vel felis. Nulla condimentum sem a venenatis aliquam. Nam at nunc eget neque blandit bibendum sit amet et purus. Nulla nec tellus venenatis, sodales enim ut, sagittis nibh. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. 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We use approximately the last 24 months of results in our calculation. Customer failed results are only counted as part of this calculation if the customer completed the course, which is defined as at least 85% attendance and 85% completion of assignments for that specific course. Results do not include college entrance or state license exams. \*\* Achieve Test Prep is a college education consultant and test preparation center that helps you earn your degree faster. Achieve Test Prep is not a college and does not issue degrees or give college credit. The programs listed above and elsewhere on this website are test preparation programs offered by Achieve Test Prep to prepare you to take exams from an independent accredited college or an independent testing center. Achieve purposefully remains independent and does not align itself with any college nor do we commit to any agreements with any college. By being truly independent, we offer a non-biased approach to recommending the best possible college route to our customers. While Achieve Test Prep is very knowledgeable on the policies and procedures of many colleges, the final decisions about credits and degrees rest with the colleges. You must independently apply for and be accepted into a college. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dina Francis", "url" : "https://atpco.io/college/author/dina-francis" }, "datePublished" : "2015-10-26T11:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Why Affording College Should Be the Least of Your Concerns", "image" : [ "http://www.achievetestprep.com/hubfs/iStock_000020646255_Small.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://atpco.io/college/why-affording-college-should-be-the-least-of-your-concerns", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://atpco.io/hubfs/Achieve%20Only%20Logo-1.png" }, "name" : "Achieve Test Prep" } } ```