Student Aid on the Web Skip Navigation

WHAT CAN A COLLEGE EDUCATION DO FOR ME?

A college education will offer you more money, more job opportunities, and more freedom.


Male students studying a globe in classroom

More Money

On average, a person who goes to college earns more money than a person who doesn’t. Over a lifetime, a college graduate can earn over $1,000,000 more than a high school graduate!


Earnings in 2007 by Educational Attainment of the Population 25 Years and Over*

Level of Education Completed
Median Annual Earnings
(U.S. Dollars)
Less than a high school diploma
$22,256
High school graduate, no college
$31,408
Some college, no degree
$35,516
Associate degree
$38,480
Bachelor’s degree
$51,324
Master’s degree
$60,580
Doctoral degree
$77,844
Professional degree
$74,204
*Note: The income is based on year-round full-time workers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008.

Though money isn’t the only reason to consider a particular career, remember that a job that pays well offers more personal choices.

Read these real-life examples of how college pays off.

Real-life Examples

People with a college education typically earn more money during a shorter span of time.

Buying Groceries

  • Terry is a dental assistant (two years of college). Terry generally will earn enough money to buy groceries for a week after working only one day.
  • Sam is a high school graduate and works as a salesperson in a department store. To buy the same groceries, it generally takes Sam three days’ pay.

Buying a Car

  • Jamie is a college graduate and works as an accountant. Based on his salary, Jamie will qualify for a three-year loan to buy a new four-door compact car.
  • Chris never went to college and works as an aerobics instructor. Based on his salary, Chris will qualify for a five-year loan to buy the same car.


More Job Opportunities

People with a college education generally have more jobs to choose from.

Also, people with degrees are less likely to lose their jobs (something to keep in mind when you have to pay your own bills someday)!

Take action! Speak with your school counselor or librarian and other adults (your teachers, relatives, and family friends) who have jobs you find interesting.


Level of Education

Below are just some possibilities available to college graduates.

Not sure what one of the jobs is? Do a little investigating by looking it up on the Internet at www.careervoyages.gov. Check out the in-demand jobs!


Postsecondary Training or
Certificate Program 		2-Year College (Associate degree) 4-Year College (Bachelor's degree) More than 4 Years
(Graduate degree)
  • barber or hair stylist
  • computer-assisted design draftsman
  • disc jockey (deejay)
  • electrician*
  • plumber*
  • sheet metal worker*
  • stone mason*
  • carpenter*
  • computer and office equipment repairer
  • dental hygienist
  • firefighter**
  • mechanic
  • physical therapist assistant
  • webmaster**
  • zookeeper**
  • accountant
  • computer programmer
  • engineer
  • FBI agent
  • graphic designer
  • high school coach
  • insurance agent
  • journalist
  • pilot
  • social worker
  • sportscaster or news reporter
  • teacher
  • writer
  • architect
  • dentist
  • lawyer
  • minister, priest, or rabbi
  • pharmacist
  • physician
  • psychologist
  • scientist
  • university professor
  • veterinarian
*Note: Workers in the skilled trades may train as apprentices or attend trade school before working as journeymen. As they increase their skills, they become master craftsmen.

**Note: You can also train for these jobs at a four-year college. Why do that? Because more education usually means more earnings!


Want to learn more about career options? If you’re 13 or older, create a MyFSA account so you can check out Career Finder and match your interests with careers. If you’re younger than 13, talk with your parent about creating an account for you.

Here are more career information Web sites to check out:


More Freedom

As a college student, you’ll experience freedom as you never have before, by

  • studying more on your own instead of in the classroom,
  • meeting people from all over the country and world,
  • studying abroad (it pays to learn a foreign language), and
  • choosing your own unique courses such as, “Music and Your Brain,” “Television in American Culture,” “Writing for the Theater,” or “Computer Graphics.”


Keep Your Options Open!

Thinking ahead doesn’t mean you have to know right now what you want to do “when you grow up.” It’s okay not to know yet.

Even if you’re not sure, keep exploring careers, school choices, and financial aid options—be ready!


Want to know where to start? Click here!


Last updated/reviewed January 5, 2009

End of Page