By: Jordin Frey | September 9, 2025
Should you go to college? Should you go to a career training or vocational school? Is it worth it? Will you really earn more money by continuing your education or is that an old mindset that no longer applies? The reality is, it depends.
As a general rule, yes, the more education you have, the more money you will be able to earn. And the data backs this up.
| Less than high school diploma | High school diploma | Associate degree | Bachelor degree |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$734 median weekly $38,168 median annual (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
$946 median weekly $49,192 median annual (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
$1,053 median weekly $54,756 median annual (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
$1,533 median weekly $79,716 median annual (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
$734 median weekly
$38,168 median annual
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$946 median weekly
$49,192 median annual
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$1,053 median weekly
$54,756 median annual
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$1,533 median weekly
$79,716 median annual
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
This does not mean that everyone who earns an associate degree will earn more than someone with a high school diploma, however. According to a 2021 report released by Georgetown University, 31% of workers with a high school diploma earned more than half of workers with an associate’s degree, and 28% of workers with an associate degree were found to earn more than half of those with a bachelor’s.
But the earnings gap is more complex than simply educational achievement. Other factors, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and location will play a role in your total earning potential.
There is a proven correlation between higher education and earning potential. If you’re ready to take the next step in your education, U.S. Career Institute may be the perfect place to start. With an online, self-paced high school program that offers five in-demand career pathways, and numerous certificate and associate degree programs to help you get started in a new career, students can easily access the education and training they need to succeed. To explore your options with U.S. Career Institute, select one of the program pathways below!