Benefits of Having a College Degree
Higher earnings
Workers with a bachelor’s degree on average earn well over $1 million more than high school graduates during their working lives. Source
More and better job opportunities
The unemployment rate for those with a bachelor's degree or higher is 2.6% compared to 5.4% for high school graduates and 7.4% with less than a high school diploma. Source
By 2020, 7 out of 10 jobs in the STEM field will require a college degree or higher. Source
Better health
For those with a bachelor's degree, 73% report their health to be very good or excellent compared to 50.5% for high school graduates without college. Source
The life expectancy for those with at least some college education is 7 years longer than those with no college education. Source
Job satisfaction
Among workers with a college degree or more, 53% report to be "very satisfied" with their job versus 37% of those with only a high school degree or less. Source
Better quality of life
Those with a college degree or higher spend 90% more time exercising, socializing and reading compared to those with a high school degree or less. Source
