How Income Changes with Education
by Janet Attard

Wondering whether going to college is really worth all the hassle? What about staying on for an advanced degree after getting your bachelor's degree? Will it really make that much difference in your earnings potential?

According to the US Census Bureau, the answer to both questions is a big YES! Data from the March 1997 Current Population Survey show the average earnings in 1996 for persons ages 18 and over were $22,154 for high school graduates vs. $38,112 for individuals with a Bachelor's Degree. Those with advanced degrees earned an average of $61,317, while those who didn't finish high school earned only an average of $15,011 per year.

For the first time ever, the study shows women under the age of 25 are more likely than men to get a bachelor's, with 29 percent of women in the country receiving a Bachelor's degree vs. 26% of men. Other statistics worth noting: On the whole, 24 percent of the US population hold Bachelor's degrees. In Massachusetts, Maryland and District of Columbia one in three adults has a Bachelor's degree.

About the author
Janet Attard is the owner of Attard Communications, Inc., which provides editorial content, online community and web development services. She is the founder of the award-winning  Business Know-How small business web site and information resource. Janet is also the author of The Home Office And Small Business Answer Book and of Business Know-How: An Operational Guide For Home-Based and Micro-Sized Businesses with Limited Budgets.  She can be reached at (631) 467-6826 or by email at attard@businessknowhow.com.