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: $35,800
High school graduate: $44,300
Associate degree: $52,100
Bachelor’s degree: $73,300
Advanced degree holders: $87,300 – $121,600
Based on these numbers, over the course of a 40-year career, a high school diploma can net you $1,772,000. That might not sound bad until you realize that a bachelor’s degree can earn you $2,932,000 over the same period.
* “Trends in Higher Education Series: Education Pays 2023" College Board, February 2023 https://resesarch.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/education-pays-2023-presentation.pdf
