College Degree ROI Statistics for 2026

Overview

Despite rising tuition costs and student debt concerns, college degrees continue to deliver significant economic returns for most graduates. Bachelor's degree holders earn substantially more, face lower unemployment, and enjoy better financial stability than those with only high school diplomas.

However, ROI varies dramatically by field of study, institution type, and individual circumstances. This report compiles verified data to help you understand the true financial value of higher education.

Key Statistics

$1.2M

Additional lifetime earnings for bachelor's degree holders compared to high school graduates

Source: Georgetown CEW / APLU, 2024

86%

Higher median earnings for bachelor's degree holders versus high school diploma holders

Source: BLS / APLU, 2024

2.5%

Unemployment rate for college graduates (vs 6.2% for high school diploma only)

Source: Wooclap/BLS, 2025

70%

Higher median earnings for bachelor's degree holders (prime-age workers) vs high school graduates

Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025

Detailed Findings

Earnings Premium by Education Level

$1.2 million — Additional lifetime earnings for bachelor's degree holders compared to high school graduates (Source: Georgetown CEW / APLU, 2021-2024)
86% — Higher median earnings for bachelor's degree holders versus high school diploma holders (Source: BLS / APLU, 2024)
70% — Higher median earnings for prime-age workers (25-54) with bachelor's degrees compared to those with high school diplomas (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025)
$40,500 — Annual earnings premium for bachelor's degree holders over high school graduates (Source: BLS / APLU, 2024)
$60,000 — Median income for recent graduates aged 22-27 with bachelor's degrees in 2023 (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York / APLU, 2024)
$36,000 — Median earnings for high school graduates aged 22-27 (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York / APLU, 2024)

📈 Earnings Gap Insight

The earnings gap between college graduates and high school graduates continues to widen. Recent graduates with bachelor's degrees earn $60,000 annually compared to $36,000 for high school graduates—a 67% premium that compounds over a lifetime to $1.2 million in additional earnings.

Unemployment Rates by Education Level

2.5% — Unemployment rate for college graduates with bachelor's degrees (Source: Wooclap/BLS, 2025)
6.2% — Unemployment rate for workers with less than a high school diploma (Source: BLS, 2024)
4.8% — Unemployment rate for recent college graduates aged 22-27 in June 2025 (Source: Washington Monthly, 2025)
7.4% — Unemployment rate for all workers aged 22-27 regardless of education (Source: Washington Monthly, 2025)
3.2% — Unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders in STEM fields (Source: National Center for Education Statistics)
Half as likely — Bachelor's degree holders are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers with only a high school diploma (Source: APLU, 2024)

Earnings by Field of Study

$98,000 — Median earnings for prime-age workers with STEM bachelor's degrees (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025)
$58,000 — Median earnings for prime-age workers with education and public service degrees (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025)
$80,000 variation — First-year earnings for the same degree and major can vary by up to $80,000 at different colleges (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2024)
2.9% — Unemployment rate for prime-age workers with bachelor's degrees (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025)
6.2% — Unemployment rate for workers with only high school diplomas (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2025)

⚠️ Field Selection Matters

Your choice of major significantly impacts earnings potential. STEM degree holders earn a median of $98,000 compared to $58,000 for education and public service majors—a 69% difference. Additionally, the same degree from different institutions can result in first-year earnings that vary by up to $80,000.

Student Loan Debt Statistics

$39,000+ — Average student loan debt for all degree types as of 2025 (Source: BestColleges, 2025)
$31,960 — Average amount borrowed by public university students to attain a bachelor's degree (Source: Education Data, 2026)
$35,207 — Average student loan debt in the U.S. across all borrowers (Source: Student Loan Professor, 2025)
$55,777 — Average household student debt for U.S. households with student loans (Source: NerdWallet, 2024)
50% — Percentage of bachelor's degree recipients who graduated with student debt in 2022-23 (Source: College Board via NerdWallet, 2025)
$164,553 — Median debt for master's degrees in Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (highest) (Source: Education Data, 2025)
$13,000 higher — Average federal student loan debt for Black borrowers four years after bachelor's degree completion compared to white borrowers (Source: National Center for Education Statistics via Credible, 2025)

Benefits Beyond Earnings

87% — Bachelor's degree holders who report financial wellbeing, 20 percentage points higher than any other education level (Source: Federal Reserve / APLU, 2024)
47% more likely — Bachelor's degree holders are 47% more likely to have employer-provided health insurance (Source: Lumina Foundation / APLU, 2015)
74% more — Additional employer contribution to health coverage for bachelor's degree holders (Source: Lumina Foundation / APLU, 2015)
7 years longer — Life expectancy for those who attended at least some college compared to those with no postsecondary education (Source: Lumina Foundation / APLU, 2015)
3.5 times lower — Incidence of poverty among bachelor's degree holders compared to high school graduates (Source: APLU, 2024)

🏥 Health and Wellbeing Impact

College graduates don't just earn more—they live longer, healthier lives. Bachelor's degree holders can expect to live seven years longer than those with no postsecondary education, are 47% more likely to have employer-provided health insurance, and experience poverty at rates 3.5 times lower than high school graduates.

Employment Stability and Job Growth

Less than 3% — Current jobless rate for bachelor's degree holders (Source: APLU, 2024)
All net job growth — Over the past decade, all net job growth has gone to workers with bachelor's or graduate degrees (Source: BLS / APLU, 2024)
Greater recession resilience — Recent college graduates weathered the Great Recession far better than peers with only high school diplomas (Source: APLU, 2024)

Public vs Private Institutions

Two-thirds — Proportion of bachelor's degrees awarded by public universities in the United States (Source: NCES / APLU, 2024)
Greatest upward mobility — Public universities offer the greatest upward economic mobility according to analysis of over 30 million students (Source: NBER Working Paper / APLU)
$200,000 higher — Median ROI of liberal arts colleges compared to the median for all colleges (Source: Georgetown CEW, 2024)

What This Means for You

The Degree Premium Remains Strong

Despite rising costs, bachelor's degree holders earn 86% more annually and $1.2 million more over a lifetime compared to high school graduates. They're also half as likely to be unemployed and experience poverty at dramatically lower rates.

Your Major Matters As Much As Your Degree

STEM majors earn $98,000 at median compared to $58,000 for education and public service majors. Field selection is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make in college.

Additionally, the same degree from different institutions can result in first-year earnings varying by up to $80,000, so institution choice matters significantly.

Debt Is Manageable for Most Graduates

While average student debt is around $35,000-$39,000, only 50% of bachelor's degree recipients graduate with any debt at all. For those who do borrow, the earnings premium typically justifies the investment.

However, debt levels vary dramatically by field and institution, with some graduate programs (particularly dentistry) carrying median debts exceeding $164,000.

Employment Security Is Significantly Better

College graduates face unemployment rates of just 2.5% compared to 6.2% for those with less than a high school diploma. Over the past decade, all net job growth has gone to workers with bachelor's or graduate degrees.

Non-Financial Benefits Are Substantial

Beyond earnings, bachelor's degree holders report higher financial wellbeing (87%), live seven years longer, and are 47% more likely to have employer-provided health insurance. The quality-of-life benefits extend far beyond the paycheck.

Public Universities Offer Strong ROI

Public universities award two-thirds of bachelor's degrees and offer the greatest upward economic mobility. For cost-conscious students, public institutions provide excellent value while maintaining strong employment outcomes.

Methodology

This report synthesizes data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Federal Reserve, and education research organizations published between 2021-2026.

All statistics are verified and cited with sources and publication years. Primary data sources include:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Employment and earnings data by education level
Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) - ROI analysis and earnings by major
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) - Comprehensive degree value analysis
Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Recent graduate earnings and employment
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) - Student debt and completion data
Education Data Initiative - Student loan statistics and debt analysis