Earnings of Recent College Graduates

Most students enter college, investing their time and often incurring significant debt, with the expectation that they'll receive a good return on their investment. For public institutions of higher learning, taxpayers are also invested in the value of a degree.

Reports using newly available data examine the earning power of college graduates from several states, across majors and for both associate's degree and bachelor's degree earners. Indeed, the school you attend and the major you select can make a big difference in what you earn.  And in some cases, an associate’s degree pays more than a four-year diploma.

One of the big surprises is just how much variation there is... —Mark Schneider on the Earning Power of College Graduates (video)

SNAPSHOTS FROM TWO STATE STUDIES