University of Virginia's College at Wise

Chart (A) | How much additional wages are generated by higher-ed degrees1 vs. high school degrees?​


Median income 3-yrs post grad ($K)


Annual Growth
(Note: 2.0% inflation over same period)
Bachelor's
5.4%
VA High School grads > 25 yrs old3
6.4%



1. Only included degrees with >10% of enrollment to ensure large enough N.
2. CPI 2017-2021 for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.
3. Wages for Virginians ages 25+ with no more than a high school diploma or equivalent, wages defined as wages, salary, Armed Forces pay, commissions, tips, piece-rate payments, and cash bonuses earned before deductions were made for taxes, bonds, pensions, union dues, etc....and net income from self-employment."; 2020 includes 5-year estimates due to COVID-data disruption.​
Note: Years represent median wage 3 years post grad in VA of students who graduated in the year combined and students who graduated in the 4 previous years with wages adjusted for inflation to the most recent year of wages, in order to allow for reporting at the program-level; only includes wage data from VA from employers covered under state unemployment insurance; Only included programs with >10% of enrollment to ensure large enough N​.
Source: SCHEV data extraction, April 2023; Bureau of Labor Statistics; US Census Bureau