It is a new year and that means new goals, both professionally and personally. As you start to think about what you want to accomplish in your career, why not consider incorporating distance learning in some capacity?

As the infographic above points out, education often can result in higher pay in your field. A graduate with a master’s degree earns around $10,000 per year more than a person with only a bachelors degree.

There are a variety of reasons why this could be the case but probably most likely is that master degrees often focus on specialization, and specialists always do better than generalists.

If going back to school seems daunting then distance learning is the perfect option for you. It’s far more cost effective, you can take courses at your own pace, and you have a lot more options to choose from as to where you earn your advanced degree.

If you are a working professional then there is a chance that your employer will help offset the cost of your advanced degree. Even if they don’t have a formal reimbursement program you can always inquire since online courses are going to be a fraction of the traditional education cost.

If going the route of formal educational institutions isn’t right for you, then you may be interested in researching accredited programs in your field. You can earn certificates of specialization quicker and in an even more cost friendly way than going through a university. Also, you will get a chance to network with others in your field.