What You Need To Know
You play a vital role in helping your child
develop the academic skills and social maturity
needed to earn a college degree. This article
contains information to help you with the
following.
- Foster
an atmosphere of learning at home.
- Set
appropriate goals during elementary and middle
school.
- Encourage
your child's high school success.
- Support
your child's activities outside the
classroom.
- Help
your child select and apply to colleges.
The
sooner you begin helping your child prepare for
college, the better their chances are for a
successful college experience.
College Costs
College
is expensive and costs are rising. However, you
can afford it if you save and know where to find
financial aid.
The USAA Educational
Foundation publication, Financing College,
offers more information.
College Pays Off
A
college education provides knowledge and skills
your child will use throughout life.
It can help your
child in a variety of ways.
- Develop
self-confidence.
- Improve decision-making
skills.
- Sharpen written and
verbal communication skills.
- Learn a broad range of
subjects and gain expertise in a specific area.
- Pursue a successful career.
|
Value Of Education
|
|
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the more college you complete,
the higher your average annual income* — and the higher your potential
lifetime earnings.**
|
|
Education
Level |
Average
Annual Income* |
| Professional Degree*** |
$109,600 |
| Doctoral Degree**** |
$ 89,400 |
| Master's Degree |
$ 62,300 |
| Bachelor's Degree |
$ 52,200 |
| High School Diploma |
$ 30,400 |
| No High School Diploma |
$ 23,400 |
|
Education
Level |
Potential Lifetime Earnings** |
| Professional Degree |
$4.4 Million
|
| Doctoral Degree |
$3.4 Million
|
| Master's Degree |
$2.5 Million
|
| Bachelor's Degree |
$2.1 Million
|
| High
School Diploma |
$1.2 Million
|
| No High School Diploma |
$1.0 Million
|
*Workers age 18 and older.
**Based on a 2002
U.S. Commerce Department Census Bureau report, "The Big Payoff:
Educational Attainment and
Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings."
*** Usually obtained after a bachelor's degree
in fields such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary
medicine or law.
**** Normally is a Ph.D. — Doctor of Philosophy.
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Topics covered in this section are:
|
Education
Education