The College Payoff: More Education Doesnt Always Mean More Earnings

Abstract

The College Payoff: More Education Doesn't Always Mean More Earnings explores how lifetime earnings vary by education level, field of study, occupation, industry, gender, race and ethnicity, and location. The lifetime earnings of a full-time full-year worker with a high school diploma are $1.6 million, while workers with an associate's degree earn$2 million. However, at least one quarter of high school graduates earn more than an associate's degree holder. Bachelor's degree holders earn a median of $2.8 million during their career, 75$3.2 million over their lifetimes, while doctoral degree holders earn $4 million and professional degree holders earn$4.7 million. However, one quarter of workers with a bachelor's degree earn more than half of workers with a master's or a doctoral degree