Is a College Degree Worth It?
Explore the real financial, career and personal returns of earning your degree — and how online learning puts your goals within reach.
What the Data Shows About the Value of a College Education
LIFETIME EARNINGS INCREASE
LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES
HIGHER CAREER MOBILITY
“Earning my Public Health degree at JWU Online expanded my ability to think beyond the individual patient and focus on the health of entire communities. Persevering through the tough times while I was working, caring for four kids and navigating challenging courses was worth it to get my degree.”
Reyna Salcedo ’25, B.S. Public Health
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“Completing my bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management has helped me get hired in an industry I love. I’m practicing and perfecting what I learned at JWU in the finance and accounting classes, as I manage my own budget at the Club. As I prove myself in this position, I look forward to more doors opening and to feeling excited about the opportunities that life brings.”
Michael Yates ’23, B.S. Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
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“Being in the program has been a wonderful experience and definitely worth the time and cost. I chose JWU Online for my degree after looking at different options, in part because a co-worker raved about the program and what you get for the money. As I complete the business studies undergraduate degree, I think the value cost-wise for what I am getting out of the program is tremendous.”
Jeffrey Adams ‘24, B.S. Business Studies
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“I am so glad that I chose Johnson & Wales University Online to complete my degree. I leave JWU prepared with the knowledge and skills to be successful in graduate school and in a computer science career. I highly recommend this program to other prospective computer science students.”
Kathleen Campell ’25, B.S. Computer Science
READ MORE STUDENT STORIES Why Should You Go to College?
Your education creates options — and options are valuable.
At JWU Online, we understand who our students are — and who they’re becoming. Many juggle work, family, military service or a major career shift. What unites them is a shared goal: a degree that expands their earning potential, opens new doors and builds long-term career security.
A college degree doesn’t just increase your salary in the short term
It expands what’s possible over a lifetime. Higher education graduates consistently experience:
Salary growth over time as credentials compound and expertise deepens
Expanded job opportunities in industries that require or strongly prefer degrees
Higher job security during market shifts and economic downturns
Access to roles requiring formal credentials, from specialized technical roles to regulated professions
Leadership pathways—manager, director, VP—that almost always require a bachelor’s or master’s degree
If you’re thinking about your career ROI now is the time to explore JWU Online’s career-ready programs to find the one that aligns with your current lifestyle to achieve your life goals.
Whether you’re a parent, veteran or first-generation college student, we know you care about:
Cost & Affordability
Competitive tuition, financial aid opportunities and employer partnership benefits make earning your degree more accessible.
Time to Completion
With accelerated pacing, you can earn your degree faster and enter higher-paying roles sooner.
Transfer credits
Bring previous credits or military experience with you to save time and money.
Career Outcomes
What your future could look like
Source: BLS.gov (as of August 2025)
Healthcare administrators are responsible for ensuring optimal organizational performance in health service industries. This career path is perfect for students interested in careers focused on operational management, strategic planning, and other management-level responsibilities. Healthcare administrators work in high-demand settings such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, insurance organizations and public health agencies.
TOP ROLES INCLUDE:
Business analysts, also known as management analysts, play a crucial role in ensuring operational efficiency for all types of businesses. These types of careers are ideal for students who want to learn how to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to improve organizational performance. Business analysts are in high demand across industries such as consulting, finance, healthcare, technology, government and supply chain management. Through education and hands-on experience, they develop core skills in data analysis, business intelligence, process improvement, requirements gathering and strategic planning. As they advance, many move into roles such as senior business analyst, operations manager, product manager, or management consultant, supporting long-term career growth.
TOP ROLES INCLUDE:
Marketing managers lead strategies that drive awareness, engagement, and growth across digital and traditional channels. This role blends data, creativity and leadership, working across teams to meet client-specific objectives. Marketing managers develop in-demand skills in digital marketing, brand management, market research, campaign analytics, SEO, content strategy and paid advertising. As they gain experience, many progress into senior roles such as senior marketing manager, director of marketing, growth strategist, or chief marketing officer (CMO). With demand spanning industries like technology, healthcare, retail, education and professional services, marketing management offers strong career growth and leadership opportunities.
TOP ROLES INCLUDE:
UX/UI specialists work the magic that makes digital experiences feel seamless, intuitive, and genuinely human. By combining user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design, these professionals focus on how users feel, think, and behave when interacting with websites, mobile apps, and digital products. A career in UX/UI design blends creativity with strategy, research and cutting-edge technology. UX designers conduct user research, build user personas, map user journeys, and test ideas through wireframes and prototypes to ensure products solve real problems. With strong demand across industries—from tech startups to healthcare, education, and e-commerce—UX/UI design offers a future-focused career path that combines design thinking, problem-solving, accessibility and human-centered design.
For students interested in a career where creativity meets technology, UX/UI design offers the opportunity to shape how people experience the digital world—one thoughtful interaction at a time.
TOP ROLES INCLUDE:
Software developers are responsible for building the applications that make our lives easier, help businesses run smoothly, and protect our personal and global security. These sought-after professionals work in all industries in office, remote and hybrid environments. Software developers are in high demand across industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, education, e-commerce and government. Through hands-on training, they develop in-demand skills including programming languages such as Python, Java, and JavaScript, software engineering principles, cloud computing and application development. Many software developers also gain experience in data security, problem-solving, agile development and collaboration with cross-functional teams. As businesses continue to rely on digital solutions, software development careers offer strong job growth, competitive salaries and long-term career stability.
TOP ROLES INCLUDE:
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Have questions about cost, time or choosing the right program?
Our advisors are here to help you evaluate your goals and build a personalized plan.