That’s a full $10,386 less than the typical high school graduate, and $36,424 less than someone with a bachelor’s degree.

The level of earnings remains difficult to predict.

In order to foster a civil and literate discussion that respects all participants, FRONTLINE has the following guidelines for commentary. College-educated workers enjoy a substantial earnings premium. Join volunteer organizations and attend community events. I also included part-time workers to capture income risk. According to 2004 statistics, four states (Massachusetts, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Maryland) and the District of Columbia all have populations (25+ years old) where at least 35% went to college and attained a bachelor’s degree.

Network with alumni who can recommend you for positions.

Take advantage of your school’s career services to help you prepare the best resume possible. Among dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24, incarceration rates were a whopping 63 times higher than among college graduates, according to a study (PDF) by researchers at Northeastern University.

Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. As the job market becomes increasingly dependent on specialization, college degrees are more important than ever. Having a degree tells employers not just that you are prepared for the job education-wise, but also that…. Agriculture, Human Sciences,& Natural Resources, Economic Development & Community Engagement, Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property, Statement on Preventing Discrimination and Harassment, Public University Values (#PublicUValues), Do the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs, Income for Recent Graduates the Highest in Over a Decade, The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates, America’s Divided Recovery: College Haves and Have Nots, Presidents' & Chancellors' Spouse/Partners, Science & Mathematics Teaching Imperative. Consider a few figures about life without a diploma: The average dropout can expect to earn an annual income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (PDF). At every level short of graduate school, there’s a not-insignificant chance that a successful high-school graduate will out-earn you. None of this suggests that motivated students shouldn’t go to college, especially if they’re committed to finishing. College graduates aged 25 to 32 who are working full time earn about $17,500 more annually than their peers who have only a high school diploma, …