Where Does A College Degree Have The Biggest Impact On Your Income

This map shows the states where a bachelor’s degree impacts your income the most. District of Columbia comes in number 1 with bachelor’s degree-holders earning over 109% more than high school graduates (or equivalent) with California a close second at just over 100% more than high school graduates while North Dakota rounds out the list with bachelor’s degree-holders earning only about 37% more than high school graduates.

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#1  District of Columbia

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,756
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $62,267
• Earnings difference:  $32,511
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   109.26%

#2  California

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,963
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $56,010
• Earnings difference:  $28,047
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   100.30%

#3  Texas

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,232
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $51,701
• Earnings difference:  $24,469
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   89.85%

#4  New Jersey

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $32,207
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $61,128
• Earnings difference:  $28,921
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   89.80%

#5  Georgia

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,350
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $49,989
• Earnings difference:  $23,639
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   89.71%

#6  Virginia

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,303
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:   $55,509
• Earnings difference:  $26,206
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   89.43%

#7  Michigan

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,347
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $48,622
• Earnings difference:  $22,275
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   84.54%

#8  Illinois

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $28,850
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $52,080
• Earnings difference:  $23,230
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    80.52%

#9  New York

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $30,084
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $54,214
• Earnings difference:  $24,130
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    80.21%

#10  Maryland

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $33,584
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $60,287
• Earnings difference:   $26,703
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   79.51%

#11   Arizona

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,898
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $48,159
• Earnings difference:   $21,261
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    79.04%

#12   Connecticut

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $33,775
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $60,338
• Earnings difference:   $26,563
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    78.65%

#13   Alabama

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,132
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $46,434
• Earnings difference:   $20,302
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    77.69%

#14   Massachusetts

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $32,237
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $57,029
• Earnings difference:  $24,792
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   76.91%

#15  Ohio

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $28,203
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $49,281
• Earnings difference:   $21,078
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   74.74%

#16  North Carolina

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,059
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,377
• Earnings difference:   $19,318
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   74.13%

#17  Washington

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $31,011
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $53,802
• Earnings difference:  $22,791
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   73.49%

#18  Florida

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,275
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $43,371
• Earnings difference:   $18,096
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   71.60%

#19  Arkansas

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,767
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $44,101
• Earnings difference:   $18,334
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    71.15%

#20  Tennessee

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,990
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $44,289
• Earnings difference:   $18,299
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   70.41%

#21   South Carolina

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,698
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $43,712
• Earnings difference:   $18,014
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   70.10%

#22   Pennsylvania

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,692
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $50,170
• Earnings difference:   $20,478
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    68.97%

#23   New Mexico

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,747
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $43,257
• Earnings difference:   $17,510
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    68.01%

#24   Minnesota

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $30,662
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $51,329
• Earnings difference:   $20,667
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   67.40%

#25   Kentucky

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,518
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $44,249
• Earnings difference:   $17,731
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    66.86%

#26   Louisiana

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $28,300
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $47,115
• Earnings difference:   $18,815
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   66.48%

#27   Rhode Island

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $31,196
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $51,769
• Earnings difference:  $20,573
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   65.95%

#28   Delaware

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $30,981
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $51,156
• Earnings difference:   $20,175
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    65.12%

#29   Kansas

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,716
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,639
• Earnings difference:   $17,923
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   64.67%

#30   Oregon

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,514
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $43,452
• Earnings difference:   $16,938
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   63.88%

#31   Missouri

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,162
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $44,482
• Earnings difference:   $17,320
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   63.77%

#32   Idaho

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,140
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $40,843
• Earnings difference:   $15,703
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   62.46%

#33   Colorado

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $30,366
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $48,901
• Earnings difference:   $18,535
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    61.04%

#34   Wisconsin

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,904
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $47,339
• Earnings difference:   $17,435
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   58.30%

#35   Oklahoma

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,001
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $42,732
• Earnings difference:   $15,731
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   58.26%

#36   Indiana

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $28,846
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,632
• Earnings difference:   $16,786
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    58.19%

#37   Mississippi

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,954
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $40,952
• Earnings difference:   $14,998
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    57.79%

#38  New Hampshire

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $32,844
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $51,767
• Earnings difference:   $18,923
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    57.61%

#39   West Virginia

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,844
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $42,183
• Earnings difference:   $15,339
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    57.14%

#40   Iowa

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,615
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $46,382
• Earnings difference:    $16,767
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    56.62%

#41   Nebraska

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $28,325
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $44,255
• Earnings difference:   $15,930
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   56.24%

#42   Nevada

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,351
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,840
• Earnings difference:   $16,489
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    56.18%

#43   Maine

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $26,716
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $41,612
• Earnings difference:   $14,896
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):   55.76%

#44   Alaska

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $34,236
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $52,769
• Earnings difference:   $18,533
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    54.13%

#45   Utah

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,531
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,046
• Earnings difference:   $15,515
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    52.54%

#46   Montana

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $25,186
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $38,283
• Earnings difference:   $13,097
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    52.00%

#47   Hawaii

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $30,971
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $46,590
• Earnings difference:   $15,619
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    50.43%

#48   South Dakota

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $27,706
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $40,472
• Earnings difference:   $12,766
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    46.08%

#49   Wyoming

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $31,936
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $45,519
• Earnings difference:   $13,583
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    42.53%

#50   Vermont

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $29,566
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $41,109
• Earnings difference:    $11,543
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    39.04%

#51   North Dakota

• Median Earnings of High School Graduates (or equivalent):           $31,691
• Median Earnings of Workers with a Bachelor’s Degree:                   $43,555
• Earnings difference:   $11,864
• The percentage the Bachelor’s Degree earns more than the high school graduate (or equivalent):    37.44%