6 stats that prove college is worth the investment

With college being such a huge investment, it’s natural to question whether it’s worth the money–or whether you’re better off just working and saving thousands or hundreds of thousands on a degree.

Of course, the value of a college degree can vary depending on college, cost, major, and what the student actually does with the degree.

College degrees pay off

Still, research backs up the claim that college is worth the investment.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be smart about how you spend your college dollars, but these statistics clearly prove that getting your Bachelor’s degree is a smart investment in your future.

1. College graduates make more money than high school graduates.

College graduates aged 25 to 32 earn about $17,500 more annually than employed young adults with only a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Educational Development certificate, according to Pew.

2. The value of a college degree has gotten higher over time.

Today, millennials with only a high school diploma earn 62 percent of what the typical college graduate earns. (Source: Pew Research).

This is up from 1979, when millennials’ parents were attending college. Back then, the typical high school graduate earned about three-quarters (77 percent) of what a college graduate made

3. Unemployment rates are higher for high school graduates compared to those with a Bachelor’s degree for higher (Source: The Atlantic).

4. Poverty rates are higher for people with only a high school diploma or GED (Source: Pew Research).

Over 22 percent of millennials with a high school diploma are in poverty, compared to with 6 percent of young college graduates.

5. College graduates are more satisfied with their jobs.

More than half of college graduates say they are “very satisfied” with their jobs, compared to 37 percent of those with a high school degree or less.

6. Compared to traditional investments like stocks, gold, and corporate bonds, Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees give you a better return on your investment (Source: Brookings Institution)

Make the most of your college investment

Clearly, having a college degree pays off. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be smart about how your spend your college dollars.

If you need help finding affordable colleges and making the most of your college investment, give Rick and Andy a call at 1-888-234-3907 or contact us here.