Passage Two
Associate degrees open paths to new job opportunities and can be used to transfer into bachelor's degree programs.An associate degree is a two-year college degree that you can obtain from a community college,junior college,online university,or some four-year institutions in the US.In terms of education,an associate degree falls between a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.
Students go on to do different things with their associate degree:some transfer into a bachelor's degree program,while others choose to go directly into the workforce.You can also earn your associate degree after working for several years;it can be the first step to a new career or help you advance in your current one.
While tuition levels vary between colleges and programs,the average tuition for one year in an associate degree program is $3,800 in 2021,according to the College Board.That's for public in-district schools—meaning you're a resident in the district the associate degree program is located.Compare that with the average tuition for a year in a bachelor's degree program,which is $10,740 for public in-state schools,$27,560 for public out-of-state schools,and S38,070 for private nonprofit schools.
It generally takes full-time students about two years to earn an associate degree,though it can take longer for part-time students.If you prefer to work while earning your associate degree,you'll be in good company. More than four million community college students attended part-time in 2021(compared to 2.2million full-time attendees)and 72 percent of them worked.
问题:What may students do after gaining associate degrees?
A
They will study for high school diplomas.
B
They will transfer to online universities.
C
They may stay at junior colleges
D
They can begin to work.