Special Report
Cities Where a College Education Pays Off the Most
May 13, 2022 8:00 am
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.