Countries like Germany and Norway have been setting the bar for providing the highest quality education in the world. Teachers are well paid and respected and work in schools with an unparalleled student to teacher ratio. This commitment to excellence in education extends beyond primary and secondary schools to university levels. Both Germany and Norway offer free tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate programs. This means that students can focus on their studies and future without the fear of debt hanging over their heads.

Though the United States has a worthy public education system and the highest collection of top ranking universities, the country is facing an education crisis because of the extreme expenses associated with continuing education. As of 2020, the US student loan debt was over $1.7 trillion. Getting a professional degree for many is simply no longer attainable. And for those who do graduate, they are left so far in debt that the burden is just too great. A recent report published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation analyzed the average student loans based on degree. The goal of the study is to help students and their families prepare financially for their future.

Understanding the difference between a $73,000 loan for a doctoral degree versus a $14,000 loan for an associate degree can help those entering their college years plan a course of action efficiently. The insane amount of money it costs to go to school in the United States today has influenced many to seek an associate degree from a local community college. The demand for people to have access to affordable, quality higher education has driven such schools to offer highly competitive programs.

One such school is Warren County Community College (WCCC) in rural western New Jersey. With a $4,800 in state and $5,400 out of state yearly tuition, students can be sure to receive an education without having to work for years before paying off any student debt. One of the areas of study that WCCC has become known for is its drone programs. Drones are quickly becoming one of the most profitable industries worldwide. The drone market is valued to be close to $100 billion and is poised to create hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities.

WCCC’s drone program, known as WarrenUAS is managed by Unmanned Systems Specialist Peter Miller. “WarrenUAS offers a variety of learning pathways to suit every student’s needs,” says Peter. “Whether you are a high school graduate starting your college education or a seasoned professional looking to incorporate unmanned systems into your company’s offerings WarrenUAS can provide a custom program to suit your needs.” The current WarrenUAS programs are the Associate in Applied Science Unmanned Systems degree, a Certificate in Drone Repair and Maintenance, and Certificate in Drone Pilot program.

Each of these programs can be taken individually or together for a comprehensive understanding of the drone industry. All three programs have topics that overlap, as having a complete understanding of drones is key to success. And that is the goal of WarrenUAS, to provide students with the keys to success. A drone pilot can earn upwards of $79,000 a year, more than enough to live comfortably and pay off any student debt. While the US will probably not be offering free college level education anytime soon, associate degree programs like those offered at community colleges could just be the next best option.