A United States Department of Labor survey conducted a few years ago revealed that full time employees at least twenty-five years old earn an average of about $675 a week. Not surprisingly, salaries were tied to educational levels, with workers who had not completed high school averaging $396 weekly, high school graduates with no college earning about $560 a week, and college graduates averaging weekly salaries of just under $1,000.

College graduates with an undergraduate degree only had median weekly earnings of $926, while those with an advanced degree had median earnings of $1,149.

Several other surveys indicate that the Department of Labor reports understate the differences in income by educational level. In fact, it is often reported by reliable researchers that the lifetime earnings differential between high school and college graduates exceeds $1,000,000. And, most economic and labor experts believe that the earnings gap between high school and college graduates will grow significantly in future years.

The Washington Research Council predicts that, "higher education will become increasingly important for landing high paying jobs", and that good jobs will require higher and higher levels of education in the future.

In addition, well educated workers will continue to be better protected against unemployment, overseas outsourcing, and increasing worldwide competition than their less educated colleagues. But, higher incomes and better job security are only two of the benefits of higher education.

Would you be surprised to learn that college graduates are the group of workers most satisfied with their jobs? If you think about it, you'll realize they are more likely than others to qualify for advancement, change employers, or move from one career to another. In other words, they are more likely than others to choose their jobs and careers, and make changes if they are unhappy with either. So, it's no surprised they are happier than other workers whose choices may be limited.

All available evidence points to the conclusion that bachelors and graduate degrees open the doors to substantially higher earnings, increased employment options, job advancement and job satisfaction. As more employers seek educated workers, as more workers realize the benefits of education, and as financial aid has become available to traditional college students and adults seeking online degrees, the number of college students, including working adults, continues to soar.

Whether earned online or on campus, in a part time program or a full time program, a college degree has never been worth more than it is today.