There are many different reasons why people choose to earn an associate’s degree. They can help students get a leg up in the job market, increase their earning potential, and even advance in their current career.
However, there is a large group of people in the United States who have not earned a college degree. This is called the “Some College, No Degree” population.
1. About 42% of the U.S. population has a bachelor’s degree or higher
Contents
There are about 42% of the population in the United States who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is up from a decade ago when only 28 percent of the adult population had a college degree, but it still hasn’t reached the level of education that was common in 1940.
This is great news because it shows that more people are going to college. It also shows that the American workforce is becoming more educated, which means that it will be able to better compete in the world market and prosper economically.
Another important statistic to note is that college graduates earn more money than non-graduates. In fact, the average salary of a bachelor’s degree holder is 67% higher than that of an individual who only has a high school diploma or GED certificate.
One reason for this increase is that more people are pursuing more advanced degrees, such as master’s and professional degrees. These types of degrees are more valuable and better suited for the job market, which is why it’s so important that people seek them out as soon as possible.
The number of people with these higher levels of education is increasing across racial and gender lines, too. The share of non-Hispanic White Americans with a college degree has risen from about three-quarters to nearly four-fifths, and that percentage is increasing for blacks, Hispanics and Asians as well.
Overall, the majority of those who hold a college degree work in the civilian labor force. They mainly work in service, office and administrative, and transportation and logistics occupations.
They also primarily work in wholesale retail and trade, education and health and manufacturing. These occupations have a low unemployment rate.
The percentage of adults who had a bachelor’s degree or higher increased in all but two states between 2011 and 2021. Washington, DC had the largest increase in this category, with 12.9 percentage points. Vermont and Maine followed with 10.8 and 9.2 percentage point increases, respectively.
2. About 39% of the U.S. population has an associate’s degree or higher
Many Americans choose to continue their education after high school. They may earn an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s or professional degree. People who have earned these advanced degrees typically are more likely to be employed and earn a higher salary than people who don’t have the education level.
A survey by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) found that those with an associate’s degree or higher earned nearly $200,000 more over a 40-year career than those who had some college but no degree. That’s a significant amount of money, and it could have an effect on reducing poverty levels.
In addition to the income, a person with an associate’s degree or higher is more likely to have health insurance through employment. This is a major benefit to those who are not insured, and it has been shown to improve life expectancy.
Another advantage to having a degree is that it allows you to move up in the job market quickly. In the past decade, the number of jobs that require a bachelor’s degree or higher has increased significantly. In fact, between 2015 and 2020, openings that require a bachelor’s or higher degree are projected to make up about 22% of all jobs that are expected to be available in the country.
These positions include management, professional, and related occupations such as legal assistants, computer scientists, and teachers. These occupations are in high demand and offer excellent opportunities for advancement.
The number of jobs that require a bachelor’s or higher is expected to increase as the economy recovers. In fact, jobs that require a bachelor’s or advanced degree are expected to account for more than 20% of all the job openings that are projected to be available in 2029.
The number of people with an associate’s degree or higher is also expected to rise, especially among younger workers. This is due in part to the growing importance of higher education and the economic benefits it provides. It also could be a result of the fact that the cost of higher education is falling, and more people are able to afford to get a degree.
3. About 29% of the U.S. population has a high school diploma or equivalent
Among US adults over 25 years of age, about 29% have a high school diploma or equivalent. This includes a GED, HiSET or other high school equivalency certificate.
The percentage of Americans who have a high school diploma or equivalent increases with age, and is particularly high for those ages 55 and older. The percentage of people who have a bachelor’s degree or higher also increases with age.
These gains are partially attributable to a shift in the labor market that requires workers with advanced education. As a result, more and more Americans are gaining access to postsecondary education.
A growing number of employers are recognizing the value of postsecondary education and rewarding employees for obtaining degrees and credentials. Moreover, the cost of college is decreasing and many employers now offer tuition reimbursement for students.
While these achievements are impressive, a large share of the population continues to struggle with educational attainment and is at risk for low economic and social status. This is especially true for formerly incarcerated individuals and members of the immigrant communities.
For instance, the odds of having a high school diploma or GED are 1 in 3 for the general public, compared to less than 4% for formerly incarcerated individuals and those with a history of criminal convictions (Figure 1). Even when adjusted for a variety of covariates, including race, gender and history of incarceration, formerly incarcerated people continue to have lower chances of completing high school and earning a credential than their non-incarcerated counterparts.
This is particularly the case for women of color, who are more likely than men to have no high school or college credential. Additionally, formerly incarcerated individuals are more likely to have a poor health history.
Finally, a low level of education is a major predictor for unemployment. Those with no education or a high school diploma have a much higher unemployment rate than those who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
A higher education level also improves the likelihood of obtaining employment, as shown by an increased annual income for those who have a high school diploma or higher. In fact, the average income of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher is almost three times that of those without any education.
4. About 9% of the U.S. population has a certificate
A recent federal survey of working-age adults found that nearly a quarter (27 percent) has a certificate, and another 18 percent holds a license or certification. These credentials are primarily educational but also include occupational or professional licensing, such as for nurses and teachers.
More than half of these credential holders have a college degree, but many also have earned other kinds of nondegree credentials. These programs can range from short-term courses to work experience such as internships or apprenticeships.
These types of training can be valuable for many people who want to advance their careers or change occupations. The survey found that a large majority of these credential holders were happy with their education, and more than three-fifths said their credential was useful in getting them a job.
Among those who have a certificate, the most common jobs are health care and business management and operations. Other jobs include administrative support, education and library occupations, and sales.
The study finds that many people who earn a certificate are happy with their career choices, and they are able to get a job at a reasonable salary. They often earn more than $50,000 a year, and 17 percent make less than $20,000.
There are several factors that can influence the number of Americans who have certificates or diplomas. One is the cost of pursuing a certificate. Some certificate programs can cost less than $1,000, while others can be as expensive as $10,000.
Another factor is how long it takes to complete the program. Students who complete a certificate program in a year or less are more likely to find a job than those who take longer, the report says.
This is due to the fact that employers often prefer workers with a higher level of education. In addition, the cost of a certificate can be relatively low compared with a bachelor’s degree.
The federal survey also found that more than half of those who have a certificate are women, and they typically cluster in health care professions. In contrast, men who have a certificate tend to cluster in IT and manufacturing jobs.
- What Degree Do You Need to Be a Zoologist? - 2 February, 2023
- Which Global Entry Strategy Has the Highest Degree of Risk? - 2 February, 2023
- Which Algebraic Expression is a Polynomial With a Degree of 4? - 2 February, 2023
