Special Report
Cities Where a College Education Pays Off the Most
May 13, 2022 8:00 am
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5. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
> Earnings premium for bachelor’s degree holders: +$26,144
> Median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders: $72,512
> Median earnings for high school graduates: $36,303
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 51.7%
> Most concentrated job requiring bachelor’s degree: Political Scientists (34.4 times the national employment share)
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4. Huntsville, AL
> Earnings premium for bachelor’s degree holders: +$27,499
> Median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders: $62,227
> Median earnings for high school graduates: $30,689
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.8%
> Most concentrated job requiring bachelor’s degree: Aerospace Engineers (36.1 times the national employment share)
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3. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
> Earnings premium for bachelor’s degree holders: +$31,423
> Median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders: $74,575
> Median earnings for high school graduates: $34,807
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 48.9%
> Most concentrated job requiring bachelor’s degree: Personal Financial Advisors (4.1 times the national employment share)
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2. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
> Earnings premium for bachelor’s degree holders: +$32,847
> Median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders: $80,586
> Median earnings for high school graduates: $37,927
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 50.7%
> Most concentrated job requiring bachelor’s degree: Biological Scientists, All Other (6.1 times the national employment share)
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1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
> Earnings premium for bachelor’s degree holders: +$38,439
> Median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders: $86,665
> Median earnings for high school graduates: $36,566
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 52.5%
> Most concentrated job requiring bachelor’s degree: Computer Hardware Engineers (13.5 times the national employment share)
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