Healthcare Certificates vs. Diplomas vs. Degrees Online

What about the costs? There are exceptions to every rule here, but generally speaking, shorter programs are also cheaper programs, at least in the short-term. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the tuition annual range for two-year institutions where you might earn a diploma or associate degree is $3,156-$7,971. The range for public, four-year schools is $20,050-$25,657. Private schools are even more expensive with an annual average tuition rate of $43,139.

Rates for certificates vary widely but are much cheaper by comparison, although diplomas and degrees out-perform them in other areas (flexibility and career growth). Affordability is often in the eye of the beholder, so it really depends on your circumstances, interests, and future goals. In this section we look at some of the factors that contribute to the cost differences between credentials.

Certificates

Certificates provide the most affordable path to career readiness in healthcare. They take less time in the long run and require fewer textbooks and other study-related materials. Most certificates are awarded by vocational schools, community colleges, and other two-year institutions. These outlets offer relatively inexpensive rates in comparison to those that award healthcare diplomas and degrees. Some certificate programs may charge a flat rate up front; others may charge rates by term or class. Depending on the certificate and area of study, some schools may also include fees for final tests or certification exams in the total program cost.

Diplomas

Healthcare-related diplomas offer an affordable education option mainly because they take less time and incur fewer costs than a full-blown degree. However, since they provide opportunities for more technical, in-depth study, diplomas are still more expensive than comparable certificates in the same area. Unlike certificates, diplomas can be earned at public or private schools with a majority of healthcare diplomas coming from public schools with cheaper tuition rates. Sometimes those rates may depend on your state of residency as many public schools differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Selecting a program within your current state of residence could be much cheaper than the alternative in this regard.

Degrees

Degrees generally present the least affordable option. They are more expensive than both certificates and diplomas because they take longer, require more materials, and offer a more comprehensive and versatile approach to the subject matter. But it all depends on your interests, the type of school, and the qualification level you want to obtain.

For example, if you want to earn an associate degree, it will likely cost about the same as a diploma because it takes less time to complete than other more advanced degree options. A bachelor’s degree, by comparison, will probably cost more than both a diploma and an associate degree due to its length. On paper, a master’s degree may look even more expensive in terms of cost per credit hour, but because it takes less time than a bachelor’s it may be less expensive by the time you graduate.

The same rule for diplomas applies here as well: public schools usually offer cheaper tuition rates than private schools and in-state students typically receive even more affordable rates than those from out-of-state. The only real catch here is that you may find a solid degree program at a private school that more closely matches your needs than public school offerings. Those considerations will need to be weighed against other factors like time to completion, career flexibility, and professional growth.

Career flexibility is another important factor to consider. If you think you might want to make a lateral career change at some point, then it may be best to cast the net wide initially. This will help increase the number of options available to you in the future. Nobody wants to jump through extra hoops or earn additional credentials if they don’t have to. If you make a smart decision now you can avoid delays in the future. Below we look at how to make the most of your time and money by selecting a path that offers the greatest amount of flexibility for your line of healthcare work.

Certificates

Healthcare certificates provide a specialized path to professional employment by developing a single skill or set of skills specific to one line of work. This is definitely a technical strength, but can be an unfortunate weakness when it comes to career flexibility. Because certificates are so narrowly focused they offer the least amount of flexibility. For instance, if you hold a certificate in dental assisting and later decide to make a change and pursue work in physical therapy you will need to obtain additional credentials. Both are healthcare related occupations, but both require highly specialized skills that a single certificate in either area cannot cover.

Diplomas

Diplomas aren’t as restrictive as certificates in this regard, but they still do not provide much room for flexibility or future career shifts. The shifts they do support are limited and often confined to the same sub-field. Let’s say, for example, that you have a diploma in medical assisting and after several year on the job you decide to go into medical coding and billing. Since both credentials share some overlap, this transition will likely be much smoother than if you only had a certificate. But it won’t always be guaranteed and you still might need to earn an additional credential to close the gap.

Degrees

Healthcare degrees are a progression and specialization increases at every level of attainment. This mean that degrees offer much more career flexibility than diplomas and certificates combined, especially at the lower levels. Associate and bachelor’s degrees are a good example. Both credentials involve a much more comprehensive and in-depth course of study than the alternatives. It’s not that they don’t instill core skills like certificates and diplomas do, they complement technical study with a broader, more widely applicable knowledge base. As a result, associate and bachelor’s degree in healthcare tend to be more versatile than the alternative, qualifying you for a more diverse range future career options.

Career flexibility will naturally narrow if you decide to expand your expertise with additional healthcare degrees at higher levels of attainment. Earning an associate degree in nursing or bachelor of science in nursing will prepare you for a number of entry-level positions in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other healthcare facilities. A graduate degree in the same field works a bit differently. Instead of expanding your job prospects it builds out your skill set in an area of concentration specific to your interests and existing qualifications.

Flexible opportunities for a lateral career move are one thing, opportunities for increased responsibility and earning power within a given career are something else altogether. Certificates, diplomas, and degrees serve very different purposes in this respect. You will want to bear this in mind if career growth and the chance for professional advancement are important to you further down the line. Making a smart decision now will increase your chances of attaining your goals in the future. We help you do just that in this section by outlining the differences in growth opportunity exhibited by each credential.

Certificates

Certificates are a great way to get your foot in the door at the entry-level, but the path they provide will be the least growth-focused of all your options. This may be fine if you have a specific, skill-based occupation in mind and potential growth is not your immediate focus. But if you plan to climb the healthcare career ladder, obtaining a certificate alone will create more work for you in the future. For instance, if you’re a newly minted certified nursing assistant and want to take on more responsibility with higher wages you will need to earn an additional degree or diploma in order to qualify.

Diplomas

Diplomas are similar to certificates in this respect. While they don’t necessarily impede healthcare career growth, they don’t really encourage it either. They do provide broader qualifications than certificates, so it’s possible diploma-holders may spend less time earning new credentials, but additional training will be required regardless. If you think you may be interested in a higher career trajectory with increased earning power your best option may be to earn a more comprehensive credential. This will ultimately save you time while also avoiding the stress and professional disruptions that often come with additional education once you’re fully employed.

Degrees

Degree are the most-growth focused of all healthcare credentials. They assume some level of future career growth and encourage professional advancement, especially at the higher levels of attainment. In fact, working professionals often decide to pursue additional degrees at the graduate level precisely because they plan to advance their career beyond its current stage. In this respect, degrees offer staying power and significant growth potential. They provide you with technical and comprehensive training with the expectation for promotion in the future.

For example, if you have an associate or bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration you’re already well-positioned for entry-level positions in that field. If you decide later down the line that you want to take on more responsibility and raise your earnings profile you can easily earn a master’s degree in the same area because your current credentials already meet all the prerequisites. The potential for growth is built-in to the degree itself. This is not something you would be able to do as quickly with a certificate or diploma.