College degrees provide significant advantages in earnings potential for employees. The U.S Census Bureau reports that the mean earnings for people with associate's degrees in 2008 were $39,506. Those who had not attended college in 2008 -- yet had graduated high school -- earned a mean of $31,283. Associate's degrees typically take two years to attain. Workers with bachelor's degrees -- typically four-year degrees -- earned a mean $58,613 in 2008, according to the Census Bureau.
Many careers require college degrees. Examples include medical careers such as physicians and physician's assistants and other professional careers such as lawyers, teachers and scientists. Without a college degree, career choices are extremely limited. Positions available to those without degrees often pay minimum wage, have limited employee benefits and involve less desirable work.
College degrees are an important measure of credibility in today's marketplace. People with college degrees in specific fields sometimes are asked to advise or counsel businesses and researchers. Books written by authors with college degrees have more credibility and can often be cited in academic writings. Having a college degree shows others that you are an expert in the field of your degree.
College degrees can also offer benefits even when they are not required. Employers are often willing to pay a higher salary and increase employee benefits for applicants with degrees even when a degree isn't a prerequisite for the position. In competitive markets, college degrees also offer an advantage to those applying for a highly desired position.