Five Fast Facts About the Value of Education

Ian is speaking in Chattanooga at a fundraiser for a client in our #JustCause campaign today. We want to use this opportunity to share some simple facts about the value of educational attainment in America. We campaign a lot about the value of education through our Just Cause effort simply because the facts are startling.

No matter how you slice it, education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.

Depending upon the measure, roughly 15% of America lives in poverty. What impact does educational attainment have on moving individuals and communities out of poverty? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are Five Fast Facts about educational attainment that you might not have known.

1. Median earnings of college graduates are nearly double high school graduates.

2. Unemployment is nearly double for non-college graduates.

3. A four year college degree more than doubles average lifetime earnings.

4. Education historically offers a better investment return than the stock market, real estate, gold, or housing.

5. The rate of poverty dramatically increases without a college degree.

The truth is, the cost of not going to college is absurdly high in America. The value of a college degree has shown time and time again to perform as the gold standard for employment, earnings, and paths to prosperity. And, if these facts are to be taken literally, then the greatest challenge we have is increasing access to high quality education through programs, initiatives, and grants.

Education = Hope. We would argue that is the most Just Cause.