A college degree or certificate can mean more career opportunities and a highe rsalary. College graduates, on average, earned 56 percent more than high school grads in 2015, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
| Certificate/Degree Level | 2016 Unemployment Rate (%) | 2016 Median Usual weekly earnings ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 1.6% | $1,623 |
| Professional degree | 1.6% | $1,730 |
| Master’s degree | 2.4% | $1,341 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.7% | $1,137 |
| Associate degree | 3.6% | $798 |
| Some college, no degree | 4.4% | $738 |
| High school diploma | 5.2% | $678 |
| Less than a high school diploma | 7.4% | $493 |