<p>Starting salaries should only be used as one measure. An associates degree may land you an entry level position, but limit your future career opportunities. I think that is a very short-sighted way to measure this. Comparing salaries across different, unrelated fields can also be misleading. Companies who make a business out of analyzing data, probably can compare just about anything, but not sure how someone just entering college would use it for any practical purposes. </p>
<p>It is somewhat like saying that doctors earn more then nurses, which means nothing to someone who prefers nursing as their career choice. A difference of a few thousand dollars in a starting salary could also be the result of where the job is located, since some parts of the country typically have higher living costs and/or might have a more competitive job market.</p>