Why is a degree so valuable?
To begin with, a degree will automatically aid you in making more money. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college graduates earn almost a million more during their careers than high school graduates. Also, a degree allows for more career opportunities and opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.
Average annual earnings for full-time, full-year workers were:
- $22,152 for high school drop outs
- $30,732 for high school graduates
- $38,272 for Associate's degree recipients
- $50,856 for Bachelor's degree recipients
- $63,856 for Master's degree recipients
- $79,144 for professional degree recipients
- $80,860 for Ph.D. recipients
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 2009.
Approximate Lifetime Earning Estimates for Full-time Year-Round workers by Education Attainment (2008 Dollars)
| Doctoral Degree |
$3.2 million |
| Professional Degree |
$3.1 million |
| Master's Degree |
$2.5 million |
| Bachelor's Degree |
$2.0 million |
| Associate's Degree |
$1.5 million |
| Some college |
$1.3 million |
| High School Graduate |
$1.2 million |
| Not a High School Graduate |
$886,000 |
Increased Opportunity
Along with more money, a college degree offers career advancement and career options. Nearly every Fortune 1000 company now requires a degree for upper management and executive positions.
According to information from the U.S. Department of Labor, 48 of the 50 highest paying occupations require college degrees. In today's economy — and in that of the future — post-secondary degrees are becoming necessary to secure high-paying jobs.
Job Security
The largest corporations in America are now promoting the importance of education so much that even companies such as AT&T, Verizon and IBM have tuition assistance programs where the company pays for employees to achieve higher education. For many individuals, achieving higher education equates to greater job security.
Sense of Accomplishment
In a report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, the individual benefits enjoyed by college graduates include:
- Higher levels of savings
- Increased personal/professional mobility
- Improved quality of life for their offspring
- Better consumer decision making
- More hobbies and leisure activities
In addition, according to the Carnegie Foundation (Rowley and Hurtado, 2002) the non-monetary individual benefits of higher education include the tendency for post-secondary students to become:
- More open-minded
- More cultured
- More rational
- More consistent
- Less authoritarian
These benefits are also passed along to future generations.
Why doesn't everyone have a degree?
With so many benefits, why doesn't everyone have a degree? The answer can be broken down into three parts: money, time, and fear.
Fortunately, there are solutions for each concern. Paying for higher education can be alleviated with government funding options and/or private loans offered by financial institutions. The availability of online education means programs that will work around already busy schedules, offering convenience for professionals and families. The remaining concern, fear, can be overcome by familiarizing yourself with the ease, convenience, and benefits of online education.
Throughout our site, you will find valuable information to ease your fears and build your enthusiasm for reaping the benefits of achieving higher education sooner than later.