College and Technical Degrees

On average, communities with higher percentages of college-educated residents have higher median household incomes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those with a bachelor's degree earn about $18,000 more annually than those with only a high school diploma. This can vary across sectors, but those with a diploma are more likely to begin their career in a higher-salary position and continue to advance. The Social Security Administration estimates that a man with a college degree will earn about $900,000 more in median lifetime wages than a high school graduate. A college degree adds about $630,000 more in lifetime earnings for women.

The benefits of an Associate's degree or technical education also translate into additional lifetime earnings. Those completing some college or earning a technical certification make about $300,000 more, and those with an Associate's degree make about $400,000 more in median lifetime earnings over those with just a high school diploma.

Higher Education Benefits Individuals: Those with a bachelor's degree or higher are:

• More likely to be employed full-time than those without a degree
• 3.5x less likely to live in poverty than those with a high school diploma
• Half as likely to be unemployed as those with a high school diploma
• 47% more likely to have health insurance provided through their job, and have 74% more contributed to the cost of their health coverage by employers
• Likely to love longer

Higher Education Benefits the Community: In Bulloch County, 34.5% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, slightly below the State of Georgia average of 35.4%. Just over 73% of adults 25 and over have at least some education or training post-high school.

• For employers looking to move into this area, this means access to an educated and skilled workforce.
• Steady employment that pays livable wages and higher increases household economic stability, which is associated with a range of positive outcomes for health, education, public safety, and more.
• Increased educational attainment above a high school diploma increases job opportunities and economic growth.
• Nearly all new job growth in the last decade has been in jobs requiring a bachelor's degree.