A bachelor’s degree pays off, by $1 million or more

Earning a degree has consistently been one of the best investments a person can make. The median annual income for a person with a bachelor’s degree is 66% higher than the median for a person with only a high school diploma. While the pay bump with an associate’s degree above high school is strong, it is still about $22,000 lower than a bachelor’s degree earner.

Over the course of a person’s working years, this income differential adds up to over $1.2 million in additional income. If someone earns an advanced degree, their lifetime median earnings are greater than $2 million higher than if a person only receives a high school diploma.

On top of this, 41 of the top 50 most in-demand jobs in Michigan over the next decade require at least a bachelor’s degree. Employers want highly skilled and educated workers, and these jobs pay higher wages.

Education matters, education pays. Independent colleges and universities in Michigan award over 10,000 bachelor’s degrees every year. We are committed to ensuring Michigan’s employers have the workers needed to keep Michigan competitive and growing.