Governor Jared Polis and Dr. Angie Paccione, the Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Higher Education, unveiled a new report on Tuesday showing the income potential for various certificate programs and college degrees in Colorado. The Colorado Rises report was mandated by the State Legislature to look at the return on investment in higher education. A decade out, graduates of certificate programs earn a median income of $50,000 per year. Grads with two year associate degrees make $54,000 and graduates with four year degrees take in $60,000.
The report can help families decide the path for their students after high school. Governor Polis noted there are some bargains out there. Some one year certificate programs have up to 80 percent of the earning power as a four year college degree.
You can access the report at highered.colorado.gov