BETA
The lifetime earnings gap of graduates
Studies show that US bachelor's degree holders make about $1.2 million more in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates. This wage premium remains a primary argument for the financial return on a college investment.
Chapter 1
The skyrocketing cost of college
Chapter 2
The math behind the college premium
Chapter 3
The rise of alternative career pathways
Chapter 4
The non-financial return on investment
Ch 2 · The math behind the college premium
sloane College Degree Lifetime Earnings
Is that degree really worth the climb? (Yeah-ah!) A million-plus lifetime!
Fun Fact
Major matters: A STEM major earns a median of $40,000 more per year than an education major, making the choice of study vital.
sloane The field of study dramatically dictates early-career and lifetime salary outcomes.
Glossary
college premium (noun)
The difference in average earnings between individuals with a college degree and those with only a high school diploma. Federal Reserve economists Jaison Abel and Richard Deitz found this gap has plateaued near seventy percent.
The difference in average earnings between individuals with a college degree and those with only a high school diploma. Federal Reserve economists Jaison Abel and Richard Deitz found this gap has plateaued near seventy percent.
Quiz
What is the estimated median lifetime earnings gap between a college graduate and a high school graduate?
Quiz
Which organization tracks and reports the underemployment rate of recent college graduates in the US?
Quiz
What is the median annual salary for education and public service majors according to Georgetown's CEW?
Quiz
What percentage of recent US college graduates aged 22 to 27 were underemployed in 2025?