This untethered approach to learning suits many moms, but is it really worth the investment? We break it down.

1.    Master’s degree in business administration (MBA)
More than half of MBA alumni report receiving a promotion within five years of getting their degree, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council.

2.    Associate degree in nursing (AND)
The nursing profession is expected to add an estimated 587,000 jobs between 2006 and 2016, more than any other occupation, according to the Department of Labor.

3.    Bachelor’s degree in engineering
Holders of this degree command the highest starting salaries of any college graduate, according to the Department of Labor, with entry-level salaries of at least $50,000. Nuclear and petroleum engineers both boast six-figure median salaries, and computer hardware engineers aren’t far behind.

4.    Associate degree in paralegal studies
No interest in becoming a lawyer? In just two years you could become a paralegal. With experience, paralegals can earn upwards of $70,000. The Department of Labor predicts 22 percent growth in paralegal jobs through 2016.

5.    Bachelor’s degree in accounting
Accounting has become a high-growth career, thanks to a new generation of