A new study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce finds a growing number of people without a bachelor’s degree are now out-earning those with one. The study found that in the years 2017 through 2019, on average, 16% of high school graduates, 23% of workers with some college and 28% of associate degree holders earned more money than half of all workers with a bachelor’s degree.
The KQED article cites many professions which yield high incomes without any college degree as well as several chronically low waged career paths that require not only bachelor degrees, but continue educational renewal — such as teaching. Though historically studies have shown that someone with a bachelor’s degree will on average earn more than someone with an associate degree or a yearlong certificate, newly released research conveys there are also a lot of exceptions.
It concludes that historic constructs don’t necessarily apply any longer. And that one of the biggest issues facing young people is that aren’t enough school counselors to help students make informed decisions.