Midge, You are correct: it's having rich parents that has the biggest effect on the chances of becoming rich. In terms of earning though, college is still a pretty good investment. In general, lifetime median earnings are: No HS degree: $1.2M HS: $1.6M Bachelor's: $2.8M Master's: $3.4M PhD: $4M Professional Degree: $4.7M
Midge, You are correct: it's having rich parents that has the biggest effect on the chances of becoming rich. In terms of earning though, college is still a pretty good investment. In general, lifetime median earnings are: No HS degree: $1.2M HS: $1.6M Bachelor's: $2.8M Master's: $3.4M PhD: $4M Professional Degree: $4.7M
You are correct: it's having rich parents that has the biggest effect on the chances of becoming rich. In terms of earning though, college is still a pretty good investment. In general, lifetime median earnings are:
No HS degree: $1.2M
HS: $1.6M
Bachelor's: $2.8M
Master's: $3.4M
PhD: $4M
Professional Degree: $4.7M