How much more do college graduates make than people with no college?

Answer 1

That's tough to answer. Going to college does not guarantee that you will make more money than a non-graduate or even a lot of money. Your income depends on your major, your industry, work experience and qualifications, and who you know. When I finished college in 2004, my first job paid 30,000 a year- that was only 3 years ago and it was absolutely nothing. There were other people with no college who made the same amount and more. Now, I'm over 50,000 a year and have a master's but I'm sure there are many people who have no formal education and make much more.

Answer 2

It may surprise you that, on average, an individual with a bachelor's degree earns approximately $54,392 per year, compared to the $31,044 average yearly salary of a worker with a high school diploma

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2007, Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers - People 25 Years Old and Over - as quoted in --
http://www.fincalc.com/COL_05.asp?id=13972

You can also calculate lifetime earnings with and without a degree on the above site. Obviously, a great deal depends on what your career field is and how determined you are to succeed. But, on average, you WILL make more if you graduate from college than if you do not.

Also, there are other reasons for attending college than a greater earning potential. These are just some of the qualities of life that are enhanced for those who have completed college:
longer life spans
better access to health care
better dietary and health practices
more prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction
less dependency on government assistance
greater use of seat belts
more continuing education
greater Internet access
greater participation in leisure and artistic activities
more book purchases
higher voting rates
greater knowledge of government
greater community service and leadership
more volunteer work
more self-confidence

http://www.quintcareers.com/college_education_value.html

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Answer 3

The standard answer you will get is "go to college because you'll make more money".
FALSE.
How much money you make depends mainly on 2 factors....
1) What field of work you enter.
2) and more importantly.....how DRIVEN you are to succeed.

Ray Kroc, "Colonel" Sanders, and Dave Thomas did very well in fast food! It turns out that most people who are driven to succeed go on to college. That makes it look like college is always responsible for the success. But not so......
I know a few millionaires. The ones I know don't have college degrees, or at least don't need them to do what they do. They all have similar characteristics......
1 - they have a habit of reinvesting money, not "blowing it"
2 - They work very hard
3 - they're disciplined and don't seek the easy way out.
4 - they have a lot of common sense

Answer 4

Right now the market is BAD. The question isn't how much more, it's can they get a job in fast food?

When people with degrees are willing to work at McDonalds, that is telling.

The question should be, if I don't go to college or tech school, will I starve in the street?

Answer 5

The average 25 year old with a college degree makes $20,000 per year more than the average 25 year old without a degree. The gap widens with age.

Answer 6

IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GET A JOB.. SOME WANT DEGREES AND OTHERS WHAT HANDS ON EXPERIENCE...