As the proportion of Americans attending college continues to rise, more and more employers are requiring four-year degrees. This means fewer job opportunities for those who choose not to pursue higher education, a group already plagued by higher unemployment rates than their more educated counterparts. A Bachelor's degree also provides an edge in situations where the job does not specifically require a four-year degree because education is generally greatly valued by employers.
According to the United States Census Bureau, workers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average of $51,206 a year while those without a Bachelor's degree earn an average of $27,915 a year. Over one's lifetime, a person with a Bachelor's degree can expect to earn approximately $1 million more than someone with only a high school diploma.
A Bachelor's degree can provide a great number of social benefits, including greater access to networking opportunities. Most universities have active alumni associations, providing graduates with both business and social contacts. Such contacts can be of immense help when searching for employment or references. This, combined with the greater social experience of college itself, is of great value within today's society.
Not all Bachelor's degrees are created equal, however. Those from accredited universities are generally considered more valuable that those obtained from unrecognized institutions, and most degrees obtained from online institutions are viewed with suspicion. A college education is too large an investment to be taken lightly, so thoroughly research your chosen university before spending your money.