Harper College

Earn More Money

Going to college qualifies you for higher-paying jobs in most fields. In general, college graduates make significantly more money than those with only a high school diploma. Below are average yearly earnings by educational level*:

No high school diploma:  $32,552

High school graduate:  $42,068

Associate degree:  $50,076

Bachelor’s degree:  $69,368

Advanced degree holders:  $81,848 – $99,268

Based on these numbers, over the course of a 40-year career, a high school diploma can net you $1,682,720. That might not sound bad until you realize that a bachelor’s degree can earn you $2,774,720 over the same period.

* “Education pays, 2021,” Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022.https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm

Last Updated: 12/5/23