a college degree is the key to higher earnings

2. A College Degree is the Key to Higher Earnings

3. Benefits of a College Degree • When it comes to finding and maintaining a job, having a college degree is one way to gain and maintain an edge. • On average, individuals who earn a degree enjoy advantages—ranging from better salaries to more job opportunities—over individuals with no college education. • A college degree is not a guarantee that an individual will find their dream job, but a degree will help prepare the individual for career pursuits.

4. Benefits of a College Degree • People attend college for a wide variety of reasons. Some of these reasons are personal, while others are universal, tied to the desire to enter an occupation or career in which a college degree is preferred or even required for employment. • Although it is impossible to discern an individual’s motivation for pursuing a college degree, one can be certain these degrees have quantifiable benefits including more career options, better promotion opportunities, higher earnings potential and lower unemployment rates.

5. Solid Return on Investment • Pursuing a college degree is an investment that can be both expensive and time consuming. • Individuals who earn a college degree do so expecting to see a return on their investment. • Individuals pursuing a college degree often focus on the long-term payoffs that a college education provides.

6. More Career Options • Many occupations are classified as “college preferred” meaning a college degree is helpful but not a requirement. • There are also a number of occupations that only individuals with college degrees can hold. • Some of these occupations may require additional education beyond a bachelor’s degree, leading to a professional or graduate degree, as well as a license to practice.

7. Promotion Opportunities • Job promotions are commonly based on an individual’s quality of work, motivation and ability to thrive in the workplace. • Supervisors often interpret pursuing or having a college degree as a sign that an individual is motivated, serious about their future, are capable of learning and can accomplish goals. • Supervisors considering individuals for promotion are likely to look more favorably on individuals who have earned a college degree.

8. Higher Earnings Potential • One of the most compelling reasons to pursue a college degree is the ability to earn a higher salary. According to the United States Census Bureau, among the top 25 percent of full-time wage and salary earners in 2000, 58 percent had a college degree. • The median weekly earnings of workers aged 25 to 64 with a bachelor’s degree was $834, compared with $507 for workers whose highest level of educational attainment was a high school diploma or equivalent.

9. Lower Unemployment Rates • Individuals with college degrees are more likely to have a job than those without degrees. • According to the United States Census Bureau, the unemployment rate in 2000 was 3.5 percent for workers aged 25 and over whose highest level of educational attainment was a high school diploma, compared with less than 1 percent for those who had either a professional or doctoral degree.

10. Benefits of a College Degree • There are numerous reasons to earn a college degree, the most common of which is career planning. • A college degree is a great asset in the workforce and individuals with a college degree will have more career options, better promotion opportunities, higher earnings and are less likely to experience unemployment.

11. About the Author • Jamie Lawry has written these articles on behalf of Rio Salado College, an accredited college offering online learning and education programs. For more information about college degrees, please visit http://www.riosalado.edu/future/html/main.html.