What We're Showing
This map highlights the additional annual median earnings that graduate degree holders make compared to their state’s overall median income, using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data for 2024.
Graduate degrees includes master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, with the national median earnings boost being around $30,000.
Key Takeaways
- California shows the highest premium, where graduate degree holders earn $53.3K more than the state median for a graduate degree holder's median wage of $110.4K.
- Other strong earnings returns from a graduate degree include Washington ($45.7K), Virginia (40.5K), and New Jersey ($39.6K), all well above the national average.
- Graduate degrees in Mississippi have the lowest boost to earnings at just $19.6K, for a graduate degree holder's median wage of $64.5K.
