SCHOOL IS A JOB

30,800

35,700

37,600

49,900

59,500

70,400

95,700

21,600Less than HS

HS Diploma

Some College

Associate's

Bachelor's

Master's

Doctorate

Prof. Deg.

Education Earnings

Source: Education Pays 2004, College Board

PROFESSIONALDEGREE

DOCTORATE

MASTER’SDEGREE

BACHELOR’SDEGREE

ASSOCIATEDEGREE

SOME COLLEGENO DEGREE

HIGH SCHOOLGRADUATE

LESS THANHIGH SCHOOL $21,600

$30,800

$35,700

$37,600

$49,900

$59,500

$79,400

$95,700

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000

MEDIAN EARNINGS IN 2003

7.3

4.2

3.5

2.9

2.5

2.1

1.1

1.2

012345678

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 2001

Education Earnings Versus Unemployment Rate

Ohio’s High School Graduation Rate1996-2004

Graduation Rates

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

1998-1999

SchoolYear

1999-2000

SchoolYear

2000-2001

SchoolYear

2001-2002

SchoolYear

2002-2003

SchoolYear

2003-2004

SchoolYear

School Year

Graduation Rate

Distribution of Jobs by Education Level

1973

Source: American Diploma Project Network

%32

1612

40

0102030405060

15

12

18

21

20

22

36

18

Total

Work Experience/OJT

Postsecondary vocational certificate

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree plus work experience

Master's degree

Doctorate

Professional degree

Source:, 2005, SREB

Projected Increases in Job Openings by Education or Training Required - United States, 2002 -2012

Percent

Source: American Diploma Project Network

% 9

322831

0102030405060

Distribution of Jobs by Education Level2001

Source: American Diploma Project Network

%

72

28

0

25

50

75

100

HS Graduate or Less Some College or Higher

Distribution of Jobs by Education Level1973

Source: American Diploma Project Network

%40

60

0

25

50

75

100

HS Graduate or Less Some College or Higher

Distribution of Jobs by Education Level2001

Other Drop Out FactsOther Drop Out Facts High school dropouts are eligible for only 9% of High school dropouts are eligible for only 9% of

new jobs.new jobs.

Girls who drop out are more likely to have Girls who drop out are more likely to have children at a young age and be single parents.children at a young age and be single parents.

Drop outs are more likely to be involved in risky Drop outs are more likely to be involved in risky behavior. Of state prison inmates 75% do not behavior. Of state prison inmates 75% do not have a high school diploma and 59% of federal have a high school diploma and 59% of federal prison inmates did not complete high school.prison inmates did not complete high school.

Bureau of Justice Statistics Special 2003

Main Points:

• The economy is rapidly changing.

• Economic prosperity (employment opportunity, competitive salaries, progressive public investments) is dependent on knowledge-based jobs.

The Issue:

Ability to compete in this economic environment demands ever larger numbers of highly-trained and educated workers.

The Slippery SlopeLow education levels

Low wages, high poverty, high drug & alcohol use, teen pregnancy, one-parent family

Diminished healthHigh crime

Lost tax revenues

Increased costs for socialprograms, jail, unemployment

Diminished quality-of-life, early death rate

A Lifetime of Regret

Smart Move #1:High School Diploma vs. No Diploma

A high school diploma is the best investment any student can make. A dropout can expect to earn $18,734 a year--the average income for all people with no high school diploma or GED. According to 2003 Census Bureau statistics, those who complete high school are looking at an average income significantly higher: $27,915. That's over $9,000 for staying in school an extra year or two. Over time, that annual $9,000 gain from a high school diploma mounts up.

Future Value $1,102,700

Smart Investment Move #2:Undergraduate Degree

• The two-year associate's degree is also a solid investment, assuming the standard 40-year work life and online study. When averaging typical costs at campus-based and fully online colleges, outlay for an associate's degree runs around $26,400

• Associate's Degree vs. High School DiplomaFuture Value $785,700

Quick Fact: "In 1980, bachelor's degree-holders earned 60 percent more than workers with only a high school diploma. More than 20 years later, the income gap has increased to a nearly 88% disparity."

Bachelor’s Degree• Adding the bachelor's to the associate's degree

is an even better investment. Since undergraduate degree credits cost the same, expenses for an additional two years in an online program should be as above. Here's the additional payoff:Bachelor's Degree vs. Associate's DegreeFuture Value $1,656,100

• Bachelor's Degree vs. High School DiplomaFuture Value $2,441,800

Smart Investment Move #3: Get an Advanced Degree

• These numbers reflect the typical three- to four-year time-to-degree for master's study. Nevertheless, finishing by age 30 (with a 35 year work life) still yields lifetime payoff over a million and a half.

Master's Degree vs. Bachelor's DegreeFuture Value$1,520,900

Quick Fact: "Earnings for the group with more education are always higher, rise and fall more steeply, and peak at later ages than do earnings for the group with less education." Social Security Bulletin 66.1 (2005/6)

For every 10 students who start high school 8 will get a diploma 5 will eventually enroll in a postsecondary institution 2+ will leave by the end of 2 years without a degree or certificate

Of those who continue, 2 to 3 will have a degree within 10 years of graduation

An Ohio Crisis: Few Students Graduate, Few Students Earn College Degree