An African American male college professor gestures while giving a lecture to a group of college students.

Why Go to School?

Studies show that workers with college education tend to make more than workers without it. Refer to the following charts to see the average earnings for workers with different levels of education.

Level of EducationUnemployment RateMedian Weekly Earnings
All Workers3.5%$1,310
Less than High School6.1%$792
High School Diploma/GED4.8%$928
Some College4.0%$1,000
Associate Degree2.4%$1,080
Bachelor's Degree3.1%$1,680
Master's Degree or Higher2.2%$1,920

*Note: Median weekly earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers aged 25 and over. Unemployment rates are for all individuals aged 25 and over.

Source: Current Population Survey

 

Why Go To School 2024