Return on Investment: What Is the Value of the Associate Degree? The ACCT 2016 Invitational Symposium: Getting in the Fast Lane--Ensuring Economic Security and Meeting the Workforce Needs of the Nation. Discussion Paper

"Return on Investment, What is the Value of the Associate Degree?" provides a checklist of high-impact practices that colleges can employ to support students on their journey to degree completion and potentially improved employment outcomes. Mark Schneider, vice president and institute fellow, American Institutes for Research (DC), compares subbaccalaureate credentials with baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees. In 2014, there were 100,000 more sub-baccalaureate degrees or credentials awarded than bachelor's degrees. Schneider shows that majors matter, and specific degrees offer the potential of high earnings, particularly in fields where graduates will "fix things or people." Community colleges can help students achieve labor market success by developing strong pipelines from college to the workplace.