Education Pays.pdf

College enrollment rates have increased, but gaps persist across demographic groups, with 60% of black, 66% of Hispanic, and 70% of white students enrolling in college in 2018.
Women have consistently higher college enrollment rates than men, with a 7 percentage point gap between 2008 and 2018.
Students from higher socioeconomic status (SES) quintiles have higher college enrollment rates than those from lower SES quintiles.
College completion rates differ across demographic groups, with 39% of adults aged 25-34 having at least a bachelor's degree in 2018.
Median earnings increase with level of education, with bachelor's degree recipients earning $24,900 more than high school graduates in 2018.
Individuals with higher levels of education pay more taxes, are more likely to be employed, and have lower unemployment rates.
There is considerable variation in earnings at each level of educational attainment, with 28% of bachelor's degree holders and 43% of advanced degree holders earning $100,000 or more in 2018.

Trends in Higher Education:

Participation in postsecondary education differs across states, with 29% of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college in Alaska and 57% in Rhode Island in 2017.
The percentage of adults aged 25 and older with at least a bachelor's degree ranges from 20% in West Virginia to 57% in the District of Columbia in 2017.
The unemployment rate for individuals with at least a bachelor's degree is consistently about half of the unemployment rate for high school graduates.

Benefits of Higher Education:

Individuals with higher levels of education earn more, pay more taxes, and are more likely to be employed.
The typical 4-year college graduate can expect to earn enough to compensate for being out of the labor force for 4 years and for borrowing tuition and fees by age 33.
Median earnings among women with at least a bachelor's degree were $52,500 in 2018, compared to $29,800 for those with a high school diploma.
Median earnings among men with at least a bachelor's degree were $63,300 in 2018, compared to $39,800 for those with a high school diploma.