What We're Showing
This map shows how much a bachelor’s degree adds to median annual earnings across U.S. states in 2024, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. On average, a bachelor’s degree increases earnings by about $13,000 compared to the state’s overall median.
Key Takeaways
- California sees the largest boost, with bachelor’s degree holders earning $23,732 more than the state’s median for a median salary of $80,874.
- Other strong returns include Georgia ($19,110), New York ($18,783), and New Jersey ($18,713), all above the national average added earnings of $13K.
- The lowest added value is in the District of Columbia, where the earnings premium is just $2,966, largely due to the high median salary of $91,315.
