Be Happier And Healthier With A College Education
Be Happier and Healthier With A College Education
It has always been clear that a college graduate could make more
money than a high school graduate but new research is showing
that college degree holders and their families are generally
more happy and healthy than those with just a high school
diploma.
The money equation has never been simpler math. A college
graduate will make on average twice as much per year than a high
school graduate. Over an average working lifetime that will add
up to a million dollar gap in earning power. A person with a
masters degree can make triple the money and a doctorate will
bring in as much as four times the income as a high school
diploma.
But the intangible value of a college education have long been
in doubt and debated widely. Now studies are showing a
remarkable list of quality of life benefits that accrue to
college graduates versus their high school only counterparts.
That list includes longer life spans, better access to health
care, and better dietary and health practices. In other words,
better overall health. But the list also includes things that
make people happier. Things like greater Internet access,
greater attendance at live performances, greater participation
in leisure and artistic activities and more book purchases.
A college education makes better citizens as well. College
graduates have less dependency on government assistance, lower
levels of criminal activity and incarceration, greater community
service and leadership, and more volunteer work. Who would you
rather have living next to you, a high school graduate or
someone with a university degree?
Knowledge is indeed power and not every college graduate is a
saint and not every person with only a high school education is
a sinner. But it appears that those who have more knowledge do
less damage to their society on average and contribute a great
deal more. One only need look at societies where education was
banned to see the result.
The other intangible but real impact of a college education is
on the children of those who complete a college degree program.
Once the door has been opened they gladly follow through. They
end up improving their own lives and their children