If you stay in school and get a college degree,
you're better off. If you drop out of high school, you've got problems.
Just in case you still had some doubts, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data proving the substantial value of a college education in the United States. Workers 18 and over sporting bachelors degrees earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. But wait, there's more. Workers with an advanced degree make an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734.
"On average" being the key words... I'd also bet that the folks with degrees are more likely to be in the same job for a longer time, and (of course!) it includes the jobs where you REALLY need a degree-- like being a doctor.
ReplyDeleteAll of which the "cargo cult" theory of having a degree ignores. (See also: the magical thinking that having a house given to you means that you own it and thus will possess the same characteristics as the population pre-get-home-ownership-up project.)
Wonder what would happen if they removed all teachers and sorted stuff by discipline? (not because teachers don't matter, but because they're two different qualifications-- teaching and X; it's hard to know if they should be classified as "teacher" or, say, "English degree holder," and it matters if you're looking for success with a degree!)
Incidentally, even though they weren't trying for bias, they may have got it-- both of my parents have degrees, AA and BS, and they're ranch managers; mom's animal husbandry BS with a minor in education is an enricher, but dad's general AA just enriched his life. I notice a tendency among those who got their degrees from the GI bill-- like my dad-- to NOT fill out the census information. Most of the born-and-raised ag men I know both have degrees (mostly from the GI bill) and don't use the stuff they learned (directly) at all.
ReplyDeleteWhile it wouldn't make your point as well (since working to finish a serious degree is a character thing), shouldn't they do an actual study and quantify those who are doing a job related to their degree vs those who are not?
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I don't know why I'm focusing so much on this, my brain must be hungry for a problem it can actually solve.
Don't confuse human value with wealth and income.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but it's awful hard to quantify "I learned to enjoy music and art, and passed that on to my children."
ReplyDeleteSmiles are always a good measure.
ReplyDelete:-)