Over the long haul, an associate degree could be worth more than a more expensive Ivy League College degree, writes Erin Arvedlund and Bob Fernandez for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

That conclusion is based on a study by Georgetown University which looked at a return on investment based on projected earnings over a career, minus the cost of college for five years to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

The Georgetown study valued a diploma from Delaware County Technical School of Nursing in Broomall at $1,247,000 over a 40-year career, below Villanova University’s return on investment at $1,563,000 but above Haverford College, at $1,217,000.

On a list of top-20 colleges in Pennsylvania ranked by ROI, Villanova University ranked sixth, the Delaware County Technical School of Nursing ranked 16th and Haverford College ranked 19th among Delaware County colleges.

“I am thrilled,” said Kate McNamara, supervisor of the Delaware County Technical School program. “I always tell my students you are making one of the best decisions of your life for your money, and then to see it in print was really powerful for me.”

Half of the top-20 colleges on the list offered associate’s degrees or certificates, mostly nursing and health care.

Read more about graduate million dollar earners here.

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