do u truly need a 4 year degree to be able to work most middle income jobs?

Question

Going to college to be a lawyer,doctor or scientist is fine,but just to be an accountant plus going to college can be somewhere in the 5 digits just to go for one year

Answer 1

Being an accountant (CPA) in every state requires a bachelor's degree and in a few some graduate study. Those people you call "accountant" who don't have a degree are really called "accounting clerk" or some such and the difference in pay is extreme.

There are many professions that absolutely require a bachelor's or master's degree. Without the degree you may be able to become a technician in that field but you won't become a professional (Professional Engineer for example) without the degree.

Honestly though - most jobs don't require a college education. Most people in America don't work in those jobs and you can enter those professions right out of high school.

The 10 occupations with the most workers in the USA right now are:
1: retail sales
2: cashiers
3: office clerks
4: laborers and stock handlers
5: registered nurses
6: janitors
7: waiters and waitresses
8: food prep. including fast food
9: customer service reps
10: bookkeeping clerks

None of those occupations requires a 4-year degree. Six of the ten pay in the lowest quartile of hourly wage.

Of the next 10 occupations with the most employees in the US, only 3 of these require a 4-year degree. Of the top 25 highest employing occupations (by count), only 3 require a college degree (post-secondary teacher, general managers, elementary teacher). Registered Nurses require a minimum 2-year degree.

So, as long as you'd like to be employed in one of these professions, you have no need for a college degree. And, employment in most of these will not return enough income to pay for that education.

Now, if we look at the list of the 25 highest paying occupations in the US, we find that all 25 require advanced education of some sort and many at the first professional (more than a 4-year degree) level.

To be fair, there is a list of 25 occupations that pay over $50K and don't require any college. http://www.careerinfonet.org/acinet/oview5.asp?next=oview5&Level=OJT&optstatus=&jobfam=&id=1&nodeid=7&soccode=&stfips=&ShowAll=&x=30&y=14

So, the answer to your question is "no, some people earn a good wage without a college degree." However, there is plenty of support for the idea that a college degree will help you earn more money but also that most people don't have a job that requires a college degree.

Answer 2

To be an accountant definitely, there is a great deal of tax law that I would expect any good account to be very well versed in. I actually would not even consider an accountant without a degree, or two. I prefer my accountants to also have an MBA as a greater understanding of business operations is incredibly beneficial. You can certainly get a job in the middle income range without a 4 year degree, however you are not going to walk into a decent job, you will need to prove yourself through hard work and perseverance and time. It may take you 15-20 years to reach a level that would have been obtained by getting a degree.

Answer 3

First, no, you don't need the degree. Long-haul truckers earn around 100K per year; landscaping company owners make a nice living; plumbers, electricians and roofers make good money.

If you want to become an accountant, do not make the mistake of going to a private school where the tuition is five digits a semester. Start at a community college, where the tuition will be maybe three or four digits a semester--and then after two years, transfer to a state university. You should be able to finish the degree with a student loan debt of under $30K, which is big but manageable.

If you do start at the community college, work closely with your advisors to make certain all the courses you take will count at the four-year school.

Answer 4

While college is expensive (public or private), unfortunately, many white-collar jobs require some kind of a BA/BS. What a college degree shows is that you were able to complete something over 4 years and develop better communication/thinking skills. It's also four more years of maturing. Our world is too competitive to just have a high school diploma today. If you're concerned about cost, try a community college first and then transfer to a 4 year school. best of luck.

Answer 5

You don't need a degree, but you'll need a certificate that is obtained at a tech school.

Pharmacy assistant, veterinary technician, dental hygienist, mechanic, accounting, or other maintenance-type jobs require schooling hours or apprenticeship, which is basically schooling. So, right outta high school you can be a clerk and work your way up, or go to tech school and achieve it much faster.

Higher education is for aristocrats. That's when the schooling starts to reach six figures.

Answer 6

You dont have to go for 4years. Theres a lot of vocational schools out there . ( Paramedic , Plumber, Xray Techs) and many more . There typically 2 year schools and less . Im a paramedic and I make about 45,000 a year . And I just started the job . So that pay is going to go up in the years to come .

Answer 7

People with 4 year degrees earn more, on average, than people without. It's not just about getting a job. It's also a matter of getting promoted once you are hired.

Answer 8

You don't need to go to a 4 year school, but you will need to go to SOME sort of trade/vocational school so that you can have a skill. Without a skill (electric, plumbing, hairdressing, cat mechanic, etc) you don't have many options other than Burger King.

Answer 9

I know it is a long time, and expensive but honestly yes
the more degree you have the better chance you stand of
getting a higher paying job I believe. Best luck, God Bless.

Answer 10

2 year degrees can get relatively good jobs ie Electrician